Corrections officers recognised in Australia Day Honours
- Six Queensland Corrective Services Officers awarded the Australian Corrections Medal
- Recipients have more than 160 years of combined service in custodial and community corrections
- Established in 2017, the ACM is awarded every year on Australia Day for distinguished service by correctional officers across Australia.
Six Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) officers have been awarded the Australian Corrections Medal (ACM) for their outstanding contribution to public safety as part of the 2026 Australia Day Honours List.
One retired and five current serving officers are among those named, with a combined 160 plus years of service across both custodial and community corrections between them:
- Assistant Commissioner, Custodial Operations Joel Smith
- Regional Manager, South Coast Region Community Corrections Nadia Tschirpig
- Assistant Manager, Sentence Management, Woodford Correctional Centre Jennifer Runge
- Senior Case Manager, Hervey Bay Community Corrections Dee-Anne Kuilboer, and
- Custodial Correctional Officer, Capricornia Correctional Centre, Lyle Baker have all been recognised in this year's Honours List.
Also named in the Honours list is Chief Superintendent Louise Kneeshaw (ret.), former General Manager at Townsville Correctional Complex, who retired late last year after a distinguished 37-year career in corrections.
Instituted in 2017 to recognise those who have rendered distinguished service as a member of an Australian state or territory civilian corrections service for adults, the ACM is awarded every year on Australia Day and the King's Birthday.
Minister for Corrective Services Laura Gerber said corrections staff played a vital role in making Queensland safer.
"I am immensely proud to see the dedication of the Queensland Corrective Services officers recognised today," Minister Gerber said.
"On behalf of the Crisafulli Government and Queenslanders, I congratulate and thank this year's honourees for their leadership and service in custodial and community corrections.
"Their outstanding efforts on the frontline enhance lives and ensures the safety of Queensland communities."
Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner Paul Stewart APM congratulated this year's recipients, acknowledging their effort and leadership toward making Queensland safer through the reform and rehabilitation of prisoners and offenders
"Our officers work tirelessly to deliver correctional services that reduce reoffending, rehabilitate offenders and prevent crime so there are fewer victims and a safer Queensland," Commissioner Stewart said.
"This honour reflects the remarkable contribution correctional officers make to restoring safety where we live through behaviour change within both custodial and community settings.
"With 160 years of service between them, the officers recognised in the Honours List bring a vast range of skills and experiences to their roles, and demonstrate operational excellence in their daily interactions with colleagues, stakeholders, prisoners and offenders.
"On behalf of QCS, I extend my sincere congratulations to the six recipients of the Australian Corrections Medal for 2026 and thank them for their commitment to restoring community safety."
About the recipients:
Joel Smith
Assistant Commissioner, Custodial Operations
With a background in forensic psychology, Assistant Commissioner Joel Smith has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment to the safety of officers, prisoners and the wider community. Having served in frontline and senior leadership roles, including as a general manager at multiple custodial sites and currently as an Assistant Commissioner, he has led major reforms in offender rehabilitation, cultural change, and emergency response. As a general manager at Wolston Correctional Centre, he successfully improved safety, significantly reducing assaults on officers and prisoner-on-prisoner violence through targeted operational reforms.
Louise Kneeshaw (ret.)
General Manager, Townsville Correctional Complex
Ms Louise Kneeshaw built an exceptional career across the state in both frontline and senior operational roles with Queensland Corrective Services. Starting as a prison officer, Ms Kneeshaw worked on the frontline of correctional services, managing complex situations and ensuring the safety and security of officers, prisoners, and the wider community. Her leadership drove reforms focused on safe, respectful environments that support both security and offender rehabilitation. She retired in 2025 at the rank of Chief Superintendent as the General Manager of the Townsville Correctional Complex.
Lyle Baker
Custodial Correctional Officer, Capricornia Correctional Centre
A distinguished custodial correctional officer, Mr Baker has played a key role in maintaining safety within the correctional system. His ability to manage complex situations in a high-stress and often volatile environment has directly contributed to keeping Queensland communities safe. Whether it is through his steadfast vigilance or proactive approach, he ensures that his colleagues are supported and equipped to handle the challenges of their roles. Mr Baker's work on the frontline has involved responding to critical incidents, diffusing conflict, and maintaining order within correctional facilities, often under challenging and demanding circumstances.
Dee-Anne Kuilboer
Senior Case Manager, Hervey Bay Community Corrections
Ms Dee-Anne Kuilboer has built a distinguished career in community corrections, primarily serving on the frontline as a senior case manager. Ms Kuilboer works closely with offenders subject to community-based court orders and parole, playing a critical part in maintaining community safety, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism. Ms Kuilboer's role as a senior case manager involves conducting risk assessments, managing complex cases, and monitoring compliance with court-mandated conditions.
Nadia Ann Tschirpig
Regional Manager, South Coast Region Community Corrections
Ms Nadia Tschirpig is the regional manager for the South Coast region's community corrections and brings more than 20 years of frontline and leadership experience in corrective services. Progressing from an administrative officer to a community correctional officer, Ms Tschirpig has built strong operational foundations in community corrections, safety and security, through direct engagement with individuals under her supervision. Ms Tschirpig has worked across diverse communities, including remote and high-risk areas, providing community-based supervision of offenders to support reintegration and reduce recidivism.
Jennifer Runge
Assistant Manager, Sentence Management, Woodford Correctional Centre
Ms Jennifer Runge has demonstrated outstanding operational excellence in offender management at the Woodford Correctional Centre. Throughout her career, she has played a pivotal role in both operational and lawful administration of custodial sentences, ensuring that all aspects of custody are managed accurately in accordance with legislation and policy. Her work has significantly supported the integrity of the justice system, enhancing both public safety and procedural fairness.
