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<\/p>\nIT was an experience that Order of Australia Medal recipient John Rae will cherish, after months of delays, he was officially awarded OAM status at Government House.<\/p>\n
Mr Rae, a Portarlington resident, was honoured at the Australia Day announcements in January, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic had been unable to officially receive his medal.<\/p>\n
But, a fortnight ago accompanied by his wife, two of his sons and friend and integral partner Geoff Henderson, attended the official ceremony.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI had never been (to Government House), it was a terrific experience, magnificent gardens, amazing hallways, it was very special,\u201d Mr Rae said.<\/p>\n
Mr Rae received the honour for the power of work over 11 years which saw Portarlington attain a number of key acquisitions for the town.<\/p>\n
Mr Rae\u2019s hard work saw Portarlington receive a ferry service to Melbourne, the Portarlington Safe Harbour, a United petrol station and a Woolworths supermarket. All these elements have been huge in the development of the seaside town and important in keeping business local.<\/p>\n
Mr Rae\u2019s persistence and vision for the town has seen Portarlington reap huge rewards over the last decade.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe town has grown from all of those things\u2026 our first thing was to get some of these things done, then the second thing was to stop the loss of business to the town.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Rae, 75, moved to Portarlington from Melbourne to retire 17 years ago and said the recognition he had received was overwhelming.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt very proud, I\u2019ve never had anything like that previously,<\/p>\n
\u201cThe recognition is lovely.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe overwhelming emails from people congratulating me was very encouraging.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Rae remains an important part of the community, president of the Portarlington Business Development Association (PBDA).<\/p>\n
He proudly showed off the medal at the most recent PBDA meeting, he said he will now find a spot for it at home.<\/p>\n
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IT was an experience that Order of Australia Medal recipient John Rae will cherish, after months of delays, he was officially awarded OAM status at Government House. Mr Rae, a Portarlington resident, was honoured at the Australia Day announcements in January, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic had been unable to officially receive his medal. […]<\/p>\n