Our local Australia Day Honours recipients

BY JAMES TAYLOR, HANNAH KENNY, KLAUS NANNESTAD AND JESSICA NICOL

Using opportunities for good

ELAINE Carbines believes that when you are presented with remarkable opportunities, you should use them for good.

She was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant service to conservation and the environment, much of which took place while she was the state upper house member for Geelong Province from 1999-2006.

Ms Carbines – more familiar these days as the chief executive officer of G21 – said her interest in environmental issues stemmed from her childhood in the English city of Manchester before she moved to Australia at the age of 11.

“It was a very industrial city – there was no grass or trees in my street, no trees or playing fields at my school.

“So to come to Australia with all the beautiful gum trees, the contrast was very stark.”

As a Labor MP, Ms Carbines was heavily involved in the campaign to stop the Kennett Government from relocating the petrochemicals at Coode Island to the endangered wetlands at Point Lillias.

“I didn’t lead it or anything, but what I saw was the power of people coming together and voicing their concerns,” she said.

She campaigned to end logging in the Otways and advocated within government once elected in 1999 to introduce legislation to end logging in the Otways and to create the Great Otway National Park.

As member for Geelong Province, she led community consultation on the future of the former Queenscliff High School site, which led to two-thirds of the site being retained as parkland.

Appointed Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment in 2002, Ms Carbines successfully campaigned in the Geelong region to create a system of marine national parks and marine sanctuaries, despite frequent criticism in the press.”

“I certainly remember all those articles in the paper; there was no media support for it at all,” she said.

She is also proud of her time with Barwon Water (deputy chair since 2017 and a director since 2015) and G21’s campaign to secure state and federal funding for the Great Ocean Road.

“When you get opportunities like I was afforded, I think you should use them for good.”

Les watches the water 

BELMONT’S Les Harrison has been keeping a watchful eye on the water for about four decades.

Mr Harrison was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to the community through emergency response organisations.

Part of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association since 1978, he is presently deputy commander at the Geelong flotilla.

He is also first lieutenant at the CFA’s Geelong Coast Guard Brigade (where he’s been a volunteer since 2008), and a volunteer with Christ Church Geelong.

“I just love helping people,” he said last week.A hairdresser by trade, Mr Harrison happily puts his hand up at the coast guard when they need someone on deck at short notice.

“I generally fill in when other people can’t – my mate’s just had a cancer operation, so I’m going in on Sunday to fill his shift.”

Mr Harrison said people’s behaviour on the water had improved during his 40-odd years with the coast guard.

“People are a lot better now, they know what to look out for in the water and they’ve got good machinery. The outboard motors now are a lot better than they were.

“But most of what we get (at the coast guard) are flat batteries and lack of fuel; some people just don’t think.”

Leading from the top

MICHAEL Malouf loves Geelong, and has led from the top not just here but at councils and organisations across the state.

Mr Malouf, who lives in Wandana Heights, was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to local government, and to the community of Victoria.

“I just think it’s very humbling to even be nominated, especially when you look at the list of people who have receive the award,” he said.

He was appointed chief executive officer or interim chief executive officer at five Victorian municipalities – Werribee, Melton, Wyndham, Greater Geelong and the City of Melbourne – between 1994 and 2003.

“Local government, to me, is the highest form of working for the community – it’s the government that works the closest with the community, and it’s the government that has the most impact on the community,” he said.

“If you’re inclined towards that, it gives you great satisfaction to see some the things you’ve helped bring about as you drive around.”

As well as his time as City of Greater Geelong CEO from 1995-97, Mr Malouf’s local contributions include being a former director of the Western Victoria Primary Health Network, a former director at G21, a former CEO at VicRoads, and five years as managing director of Barwon Water.

He has been the chair of the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust since 2017 and a director at Southern Rural Water since 2015.

“I love Geelong, and that includes the whole region; I love serving the community,” he said.

Mr Malouf was also chief executive officer of the Carlton Football Club between 2003 and 2007. He said the experience was not dissimilar from local government.

“The City of Melbourne, to me, is the peak of the a local government career, so I was looking for the next challenge.

“This was in the post-John Elliott years, so I was asked to go in and do as much as I could.

“The AFL is a very community-based organisation, but it is also a ruthless organisation – the members are the ones driving the interests of the club through the board.”

Lawrie gives back

LAWRIE Miller has spent much of his professional and personal life helping others.

The Waurn Ponds resident, who was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to the community of Geelong, has a long and impressive list of examples of his efforts in the education sector as well as for community organisations.

“I was very surprised (to receive an OAM) and I believe there are many more people out there doing more worthy things, but I was very pleased that some of my work would be recognised,” he said last week.

“I just turned 85 and I worked until I was 75 – some people might say that was silly, but I thoroughly enjoyed all of it.

“That’s the sort of person I am, it’s amazing what you can fill in and do.

“I believe in giving back to society, because, really, society has given a lot to me and my family.”

Mr Miller was executive director at the Geelong Chamber of Commerece from 1994-2010 and became its inaugural life member in 2010.

In education, he was appointed chair of three bodies: the Barwon South Western Regional TAFE Board (1986-1988), the Barwon South Western Regional Further Education Council (1988-1992) and the Barwon South Western Regional Council of ACFE (1992-2000).

He was the inaugural chair of the Geelong Cemeteries Trust, a role he held for 26 years.

“It was good to see that grow,” he said. “It started out with five cemeteries and when I left it was up to 13.”

He also listed his time as secretary of the Smart Geelong Network from 2000-2011 as a highlight.

“It was really good to see that start up. Geelong is doing so many things in terms of education and research opportunities, it really should be a research city.”

Mr Miller chaired the Geelong committee of Samaritan House from 2011 to 2013, and said the organisation’s work to assist homeless men was vital.

“There’s so much more that could be done in that area.”

Cricket’s quiet man

BARRY McFarlane has spent more than five decades helping St Josephs Cricket Club thrive, helping it grow from a school team to one of the largest clubs in Geelong.

Having also served the GCA in various roles, including president, Mr McFarlane was fittingly awarded an OAM for his service to cricket.

Mr McFarlane was at St Josephs since it was founded in 1964.

The following year he was on the club’s general committee and has since filled various positions at the club, including president, secretary, treasurer, junior team coach, and his current role as curator.

Mr McFarlane said he is astonished by how the club has grown from “just a pack of school kids.

“It’s hard to believe. We put 23 teams on the ground each week. There’s also a Woolworth’s Blast program on a Friday night with up to 130 kids.”

This includes a senior women’s team that is currently performing very well.

Barry also played a record 421 games for St Josephs. However, it is a record that may soon be broken, as his son, Christopher McFarlane, has now played over 400 games for St Josephs himself.

Mr McFarlane said he was “chuffed” to receive the award.

“Not that I’d give it back by any stretch of the imagination, but I think I’m pretty lucky.”

Quick to help

PETER Forster may be slow to take credit but is quick to help others.

Mr Forster been a central member of various environmental groups, including Anglesea, Aireys Inlet Society for the Protection of Flora and Fauna (ANGAIR), Environmental Farmers Network, Ararat Landcare Group and Upper Hopkins Land Management Group.

His service to the environment and conservation through these groups has earned him an OAM.

Mr Forster dedicated his OAM to other volunteers had not received recognition.

“I know a lot of people involved in land care and conservation, and probably there’s a lot more people deserving of the award.

“I’d like to say I am accepting it on behalf of the thousands of people who work away as volunteers in land care and ‘friends of’ groups. It’s a recognition that the work we do is important.”

Mr Forster has been a central figure at ANGAIR before he even moved to Anglesea seven years ago. He was the group’s president from 2014-2017 and is presently their secretary.

Mr Forster has also been a Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteer since 1971.

A long-time wool-farmer, Mr Forster says a key motivator to his interest in sustainability was the 1982 drought.

“It was a short, sharp drought. We’ve been motivated to farm more sustainably since then.”

A greener life

IF YOU have driven through Anglesea you have likely seen Carl Rayner’s influence on the township.

His tireless efforts reinvigorating the plant life in Anglesea has seen him awarded an OAM for his service to conservation and the environment.

Mr Rayner was awarded a life membership from with Anglesea, Aireys Inlet Society for the Protection of Flora and Fauna (ANGAIR) in 2015 and presently runs their weekly working bees.

Mr Rayner said when he first moved to Anglesea the effect of the Ash Wednesday fires was still very apparent.

“The disturbance of the natural vegetation was still pretty gigantic, and a lot of environmental weeds sprouted along the coast.

“We’ve been really involved in trying to get rid of those weeds and restore the natural vegetation.”

Since the seventies Mr Rayner has been heavily involved with groups such as Victorian National Parks, Friends of Organ Pipes National Park Association, and Keilor Plains Group of Australian Plants.

His involvement with ANGAIR since 1994 has then been comparatively short.

But Peter Forster, who is also receiving an OAM on Sunday, said Mr Rayner positive influence revegetating the landscape has been immense.

“He’s a legend down here with his environmental care activities with ANGAIR.

“And he’s dramatically improved the vegetation, particularly the coastal vegetation.”

Voice for the masses

A PERENNIAL need to exercise the voices of people who are inhibited from doing so themselves saw Anglesea’s Beth Davidson work in local government for 11 years.

From 2001 to 2004, Beth was the Surf Coast Shire mayor. She left her role as councillor in 2008 and is this year an AM recipient for her service.

She’s also being acknowledged for her work with Neighbourhood Houses Victoria, for which she was president from 2012 to 2017.

“I’m feeling humbled and privileged. You do the work you do because you care about community and you care about building strong connections in community,” she said.

“You don’t do it for the notice but it’s both a surprise and a compliment when it’s acknowledged.

“I’ve been really privileged to have lots of mentors and role models throughout my adult life, and my ongoing community work is a great way to honour their investment in me.”

Beth was a board member at Country Fire Authority Victoria from 2004 to 2007 and has recently been reappointed.

“It is an interesting, challenging time that has great opportunities to shape the CFA to serve communities as best it can.”

She said she was looking forward to at least another 20 years of community service, even if her body “insisted” she slow down in that time.

Community champion

MARGARET Primmer’s modesty is mystifying when you realise many of her 87 years have been devoted to helping others.

Receiving an OAM for her service to women and the community, the Geelong mother of four – and grandmother of nine – has been affiliated with the Country Women’s Association since the early ‘60s as an executive member.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, either, with Margaret’s mother Jessie Twaddle awarded The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) more than 50 years ago.

Margaret said she was so embarrassed she took off to Mount Gambier to escape the media.

And now, Margaret’s feeling much the same way.

“It’s something you never expect to happen,” Margaret said of her OAM.

“It’s very challenging work, and people ask you why you do what you do. We (Thurina Branch) do lots of things. We help Geelong Mums and Cottage by the Sea; we make toilet bags and heart cushions for the ones (children) who have had heart operations.”

Margaret was an elder at the Geelong West Presbyterian Church for 23 years, served as president for the Bareena Bowling Club and worked with the Agricultural Society for five decades.

Cedric’s reward for service

GEELONG community figure Cedric Carr is being hailed for his contributions to accountancy as family and friends revel in his AM.

As a founder of West Carr & Harvey – which recently celebrated its 70th year of business –Cedric has spent a lifetime committed to the region.

But son Richard said his father’s unwavering loyalty to business as well as family was what inspired him to follow the same path.

“From my earliest memory of him, he was committed to providing the best – to his family, his profession, his firm and his community. It is that legacy that I continue to endeavour to follow,” Richard, the firm’s managing director, said.

“He championed professionalism in accounting and as a result held himself to incredibly high standards.”

Cedric was president of Geelong West Rotary Club (1978-1979), council president of Geelong West Technical School, and member of Moorabool Housing Society.

Close friend Jim Cousins AO said Cedric had been a dedicated professional and generous community member for many years.

“The inception of many charities and businesses are attributed to Cedric’s business nous. I congratulate him on this worthy acknowledgement of his life-long efforts,” he said.

Jill made her mark

Moving from Brisbane to Victoria, Ms Jillian Lange-Mohr is presently head of Geelong’s St John’s Lutheran School and Geelong Lutheran College.

Ms Lange-Mohr was awarded the OAM in recognition of service to education and said she feels “honoured”.

“It came as a very big surprise, I know what an honour this is, when I read the email I had tears rolling down my face. I thought ‘this is for people other than me’.”

With an impressive resume that extends beyond the teaching world into corporate, Ms Lange-Mohr said a two-decade hiatus saw her return to teaching with a passion.

“A lot has changed over my time teaching but the children haven’t, always put the children first. In my role as head of college any decision I make is based on this: ‘Is this the best decision for the students and their future?’.

“I make anywhere between 20-50 decisions a day and that’s always my filter, what is best for the students.”

John found his Port

“We moved to Portarlington 23 years ago, we had a holiday house then purchased a property and retired at 58, I’m 74 now. I got involved with the community groups because I thought when we first moved here, Portarlington was waiting for an opportunity to burst onto the scene.”

Portarlington Business Development Association president John Rae said he calls upon his professional skillset and experience in marketing and sales to help advocate projects throughout the town.

“From petrol stations and the ferry to Woolworths, I alongside other community members, have worked tirelessly and persevered.

“We never gave up, we worked closely with developers, local council and government to work out the people we needed to assist us.

“The support of my wife Elaine has been essential and enabled the hours required to be worked. Elaine does all the flyers and art work. I am also very grateful to community members who gave up their time at various stages of projects, all 137 of them.”

Welded to Wallington

Having lived in Wallington for all of his 86 years, Kenneth Barrett McAllister was instrumental in getting the rural township’s first fire truck, which he personally welded.

He has been recognised with an OAM for his tireless service to the community, through emergency response organisations.

“The award was completely unexpected. I realise that I have put a fair bit into the Country Fire Authority (CFA), but a lot of other people have too, it’s a bit hard talking about myself.

“When I was elected Captain, I was instrumental in getting Wallington’s first truck; my dad donated the land which the Wallington Fire Brigade is built on.”

Mr McAllister has travelled extensively to fight fires across the country and held several highly esteemed positions within a multitude of emergency response organisations.

“I’ve been very involved over six decades. I have a lot of experience as a foundation member of the Bellarine Group of Brigades and get a lot of satisfaction out of what I’ve done.”