Civic leader stunned by honour

COUNCILLOR Margaret O’Rourke was “overwhelmed and very humbled” to be awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to Greater Bendigo earlier in the week.

“People have been so generous with their messages,” she said. “It’s an award that belongs to so many because I’ve had the fortune of working with so many different groups and organisations.

“I feel like we’ve all been on that journey.”As well as being a councillor for the Eppalock Ward since 2016 and mayor from 2016 to 2020, she has been the chair of Bendigo Kangan Institute since 2022, after being vice-chair since 2014, a non-executive director of Goulburn Murray Water since 2014, and a former board director of Bendigo Health.

She’s also held advisory roles at Business Excellence Bendigo and VLine, and is currently the Head of Campus of LaTrobe University, Bendigo.

Cr O’Rourke said upon joining council, she was always keen to see the development of infrastructure in the city centre.

“Having the opportunity to be part of advocacy around that’s been important,” she said.

“The advocacy about bringing Qantas to Bendigo – we had this fantastic airport, but we didn’t have an airline. That was another real highlight.

“Another one was going to Hong Kong with Doug Lagoon and Anita Jack to bring Dai Gum Loong home. The broadcasts in their media was just phenomenal. I couldn’t have been more proud.”

She said her view has always been that if you feel that you’ve got something to contribute, then you may as well put your hand up.

“That’s what I’ve done over the years. I think it’s very easy for people to stand on the sidelines and criticise what community groups are doing and what various others are doing,” she said.

“People have come to me and asked for assistance, and I’ve thought, yep, why not? That’s happened to me quite a few times and I’ve loved it.

“There’s always plenty to be done, so it’s always hard to say what’s next. But I’m not someone to sit idle, that’s for sure.”