Maybole’s Marguerite Hunter Blair has been named an OBE, whilst Stephen Neilson from Troon has been honoured with an MBE.
Marguerite, 65, moved to the South Ayrshire village 20 years ago after decades working in Belfast along the peace lines.
She worked for 15 years with Belfast City Council as a community services manager, running community centres and managing a programme of community development.
Marguerite then moved to Playboard Northern Ireland as its chief executive, before crossing the water to head up Play Scotland.
She is now heavily involved in the local community, and is chair of the Carrick Centre in the village.
Marguerite admits she was shocked to receive a letter informing her she had been awarded an OBE.
(Image: Newsquest) She said: “I’m a Deputy Lieutenant so when I got the letter I thought it might have been related to that.
“I couldn’t take it in to start with, you can’t believe it as it’s so unusual for play to be recognised.
“People think it’s something frivolous so to be recognised is significant for what we do on a daily basis.
“I feel quite overwhelmed and delighted by it. I’m very driven but I’ve had the right people around me over the years.”
Marguerite has worked for decades to make sure play is designed into the community, to ensure young people can get outside and advance their life.
She explained: “When I came to Scotland around 20 years ago, we set up a play commission and we are now world leading in that area.
“We want to change how play and playground provision is seen in Scotland, and make sure it is enshrined in planning and other vital decisions.
“The place you grow up in is everything and if play is designed into the community, then everyone benefits.”
Marguerite was named chair of the Carrick Centre in 2021. The centre was launched in 2012 and works in partnership to provide the required services across North Carrick.
She lives in the local area with husband Pat and the couple run a successful wood fuel business at Blairquhan Estate.
They have five children; a vet, two lawyers and two chartered surveyors.
Stephen Neilson is currently chair of the British Handball Association (BHA), having been involved in the sport since 1981.
He was previously chair of the BHA from 2004 to 2008, helping to pave the journey towards a home Olympics.
He was also chair of the Scottish Handball Association from 1999 to 2013, before taking on the role of COO of the Scottish Handball Association for 10 years, leaving in 2022.
(Image: British Handball Association) Prior to these roles he played and coached at Tryst 77, Edinburgh, Ayr, Troon and East Kilbride 82.
He was also coach of the Scotland Men’s and Women’s teams in the 90’s and the GB Men’s assistant coach from 1997 to 2001.
Stephen has worked in the IT industry since 1987 including working for Microsoft.