‘A lease of life’ through volunteering – Queen’s Birthday honours

WHEN two of Beverley Horwood’s five children discovered their respective loves for the performing arts and swimming, she found her own passion for community service.

For 40 years, Ms Horwood has been at the heart of Ballarat Lyric Theatre. An honorary life member since ‘93, she’s sewed and coordinated costuming, completed a brief stint as assistant secretary, and for 26 years, was the committee’s secretary.

“Theatre became a way of life,” she said.

On the pool deck from 1983 until 2019, Ms Horwood was a member of Ballarat GCO Swimming Club and the Midlands District Amateur Swimming Association.

At school, country and state meets, she mastered many roles as a chief timekeeper, Swimming Victoria official, a judge, marshal, check starter, recorder and semi-automatic timer, and was the MDASA’s secretary for 16 years.

Whether by the pool, or backstage, Ms Horwood has enjoyed the camaraderie of volunteerism, and relished the opportunity to help young talent shine.

“My swimming roles were about seeing kids reach their best potential, and I saw some grow from six years old, up to sixteen… Just seeing their rewards and being part of that, and indirectly helping them was wonderful,” she said.

“We had a young cast of 60 people in Les Mis this year – mostly unknowns – and to see all that come to fruition, and see the outcome was amazing.

“There’s potential for somebody to go much further in the field, and theatre companies like ours are a great grounding for young people to get their start in the theatrical industry.”

For her service to the community of Ballarat, and to swimming, Ms Horwood has received a Medal of the Order of Australia in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honour list.

Grateful to a few nominees from some of her community groups, she always thought this level of recognition was “out of reach.”

“I don’t think they give them out willy-nilly. I thought you probably would have had to find a cure for COVID-19,” she laughed.

“It was never on my radar, so it’s a huge honour. You don’t do these things for accolades. It’s very overwhelming and hard to believe. I’m very happy.

“To have someone think enough of you to nominate you for something like this, it’s a beautiful thing. I wouldn’t have thought that little old me from back blocks would get an award like this.”

Ms Horwood was awarded United Way’s 2011 National Sport Volunteer of the Decade, and in the last 12 months, was one of the Zonta Club of Ballarat’s Great Women for 2020, and the recipient of the Ballarat Arts Foundation Denis Bateman Award for long-term service to the arts.

She is also celebrated for her Royal South Street Society ushering, and 35 years of volunteer work with the Citizens Advice Bureau and Charity Christmas Card Shop.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in all these voluntary positions. I think it broadens your mind, keeps your brain active and keeps you on the move. It’s given me a lease of life and something to look forward to.”

Adding OAM to the end of her name, Ms Horwood is not only proud to be recognised, but proud of her family, and thankful for their never-ending support.

“They’ve always been there for me. It hasn’t been an easy ride for all of us over the years, but we’ve made the most of it, and we’ve come out the other side.”