AADA congratulates Cairns Holden Dealer, Richard Ireland, and Gold Coast automotive royalty, Rebecca Frizelle, after they were both awarded the Order of Australia (OAM) in the latest Queen’s Birthday honours.

Mr Ireland received the honour for his service to the motor industry and to the community of Cairns in North Queensland, making him the third generation of his family to be so honoured. His father Ron was also awarded the OAM, in 1997, as well as the Centenary Medal in 2001. His grandfather Francis Ireland received an MBE in 1987. All three men were honoured for services to the community and to the motor industry.

Dealer Principal of Ireland Holden, HSV, Mitsubishi and Isuzu Truck franchises, Mr Ireland is also co-managing director with his brother David of the family-owned FR Ireland Pty Ltd. In his role with the Australian Holden Dealer Council, has been intimately involved in negotiations with GM Holden over compensation packages for Holden Dealers following GM’s decision to end the brand.

He was a director of AADA Queensland, a position he held from 1994 to 1996. He has also served as a director of the Motor Trades Association Queensland, and on Holden, Mitsubishi and Isuzu Truck state and national Dealer committees.

A member of the Rotary Club of Cairns for more than 30 years and a former president and secretary, Mr Ireland is a Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary’s greatest accolade. He is president of the Far North Queensland Youth Assistance Fund, having been a member since 1987 and part of the management committee since 1995.

He’s a life member, former director and former deputy chair of Advance Cairns, former director and chair of the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre, former chair of the Marine and Tropical Science Research Facility, foundation shareholder and director of the Cairns Taipans NBL Basketball Team, and is on the Cairns Campus Founders Committee of James Cook University.

Ms Frizelle is Chief Operating Officer of Frizelle Prestige and a key shareholder at Frizelle Sunshine Automotive and PWA. Known for her strong advocacy for the city of Gold Coast, she is one of the largest employers on the Gold Coast, employing more than 800 people. She was honoured for service to the automotive sector, and to rugby league.

In 2015, Ms Frizelle was appointed to the Board of the Gold Coast Titans National Rugby League team and became the first female Chair in the NRL code. She is a director of the Griffith University Advisory Board, Audi Australia Foundation Board, and St Hilda’s School Foundation. She was also a director of Sunland Group Ltd since January 2018 and a Member of the AICD.

The mother of four is a loyal supporter of women in leadership roles, and was a member of the gender diversity panel at the AADA 2019 National Dealer Convention & Expo.

AADA could not be prouder of these two outstanding corporate citizens and community leaders, and congratulates them on their well-deserved recognition.