Third-generation seafarer, Williamstown’s Warwick Norman has been made a Member of the Order of Australia for service to international shipping.
The Australia Day honour particularly recognises his work in improving international maritime safety standards.
In 2001, Mr Norman founded maritime safety organisation RightShip, vetting ships to lift safety standards and identify high-risk vessels in the dry bulk, petroleum, chemical and gas sectors.
His company originally served two shareholders and now has 300 customers worldwide.
In 2010, RightShip launched a greenhouse gas emissions rating for ships, which is now used as a selection tool for 20 per cent of vessels by organisations that take into account environmental sustainability in chartering decisions.
Every year since 2012, Mr Norman has made Lloyd’s List of the ‘100 Most Influential People in the Shipping Industry’.
In 2013, he was named Prime Minister’s Australian Exporter of the Year and the following year, Australian Export Hero.
Mr Norman said he came from a maritime family, starting out as a seafarer cadet.
“I was a ship’s captain at sea and then came ashore and worked in management and then came in to this role here,” he said.
“My father operated in the old tugs that used to be in Williamstown so even as a child I was out around ships.
“Dad was a war orphan so he ran away to sea.
“His father had been in the Merchant Navy before that.”
Mr Norman said one of his teachers at Williamstown High School, Dennis Nilson had fostered a very strong maritime culture in class.
“In fact, when I sat my Masters certificate at RMIT many years after, there were three guys who had come through Williamstown High School so Dennis had been part of fostering that interest as well.”
Mr Norman said he felt “humbled” to be recognised in the Australia Day honours.
Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon was also made a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia for his service to the community.
Gordon grew up in West Footscray and was instrumental in preventing an enforced merger with the Fitzroy Football Club in 1989, helping deliver the club’s second ever premiership
in 2016.
He was recognised for his contributions through Australian Rules Football, health promotion, youth social welfare and the law.
