Creating together for greater good

GROWING up as a Girl Guide in a big Colac family, Dianne McGrath developed her strong social conscience early.

Working as a teacher and more recently a casual academic at ACU, she’s always had thoughtful projects on the go, mindful of others’ challenges.

That’s why she’s been awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia in the Australia Day honours for her ‘service to international humanitarian programs, and to the community of Ballarat.’

The current president of the Ryder-Cheshire Australia Ballarat Support Group, her team fundraises to provide “relief of suffering,” through the charity’s two homes in East Timor and India, and three in Australia.

“All of these homes deal with illness, disabilities, people who are suffering in some form or other. Each home is slightly different. Some have an educational base as well,” Ms McGrath said.

“Our group here in Ballarat got thinking about our community, and there are people suffering here, so we chose two groups to give support; The Soup Bus and The Shower Bus.”

Ms McGrath is especially proud of her “ground-breaking” research work with girls in schools. She’s fond of Chinese dragon, Gum Loong, which she built with Canadian Lead, Sebastopol and Mount Blowhard Primary Schools.

“That was to bring an understanding of Australia as part of the Asia-Pacific area, and it was fantastic for our school communities, kids and all.

“That led me to the Ballarat China Community Committee at the City of Ballarat,” she said.

The group annually runs tours to help people reclaim their Chinese heritage, and coordinates the China Challenge, a competition prompting the region’s schools to understand Chinese language and culture.

Whether completing a teaching fellowship in Pennsylvania, giving emotional and physical support to the Timorese, belonging to Ballarat Friends of Ainaro, or receiving a Sovereign Order of ancient group, Saint John of Jerusalem, Ms McGrath has always emphasised the power of teamwork.

“What [the Australia Day Honour] is all about is not me. I’m always in a group where each member plays a part,” she said. “It’s working with people, never me alone. Creating together for greater good.”

It’s taken Ms McGrath a little while to come to terms with the “special” award.

“I can’t claim all this just for me personally. I’m totally humbled and I can’t explain how I feel, but incredibly overwhelmed,” she said. “What I do is so much part of the community, and my community is Ballarat. My work stems further than that, but it all originated here.”

Reflecting on her “wonderful life” of “eclectic” projects, a famous comment came Ms McGrath’s mind.

“I have this beautiful quote that I just love from Muhammad Ali. ‘Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.’ I really believe this,” she said.

“I have a fantastic, huge family, great friends, great colleagues, and many have inspired me. My service back to community is to say thank you, and to look after each other.”