Editorial: Inspiring Individuals

LAST year I attended a funeral of a cousin, Jill, who had received an OAM for her work with koalas and the environment.

When I saw her brother I noticed he was wearing an OAM on his tie and assumed it was Jill’s, but he had earned one himself for his work in the environment.

He said when he went down to government house to be given the award he looked around and noticed lots of people there who were lawyers, engineers, doctors and so forth who were receiving OAM’s for essentially doing their job.

Of course they must have done their job exceptionally well to be given an OAM, but he raised an interesting point and for people to be awarded an OAM for their work volunteering, it really is a whole other level of service to their community.

So I was pleased to read the list of OAM recipients this year and see Brian Hunt’s name. See story: Brian Hunt OAM – Getting Things Done.

He is truly deserving.

When I looked around the room at the local Australia Day award ceremonies at the nominees in our community it is remarkable to see so many people who volunteer and go the extra mile to make life in our towns and villages better for everyone.

More broadly there people in our community who are not the ones in leadership roles, who aren’t the president or the founding member, but are there to lend a hand and do what needs to be done.

They may not be recognised with an award, but they make an incredible difference.

Elizabeth Flaherty
Editor, scone.com.au