Surf Coast pair awarded Australia Day honours

A PAIR of Surf Coast locals have been lauded for their service to their community and awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division.

Bellbrae’s Barry Fagg and Torquay’s Brian Keane are part of a prestigious group of Australians who were honoured today (Monday, January 26) as part of Australia Day celebrations.

Fagg was recognised for his service to charitable organisations and to the community of Geelong, following more than 30 years of giving back.

He was an inaugural inductee into the Mitre 10 Australia Hall of Fame in 2012, following years as national board chair and chair of the southern region.

Fagg completed more than 30 years of service for the Give Where You Live Foundation, including three years as board chair and a term as vice president.

He was also a board chair for the Geelong Community Foundation, Geelong Football Club, Geelong Art Chair, a treasurer and board member for Geelong College and served upon commitees for Anam Cara House, Committee for Geelong and United Ways Australia.

In 2001, he was awarded the Centenary Medal to recognise his contribution to Australian society and government.

The Bellbrae local was awarded Hardware Australia Legend in 2016 and an Annual Leadership Award by the Committee for Geelong in 2012.

He said he was overwhelmed with the OAM honour.

“I am humbled and honoured to receive this award and have been privileged to work with a number of Geelong-based organisations that service the various needs in our community.

“I have always enjoyed the challenge of philanthropic fundraising, and over the years have been asked to lead a number of capital campaigns for organisations.

“My work as a volunteer within these organisations, has provided me with the opportunity to witness first hand, the issues facing some of the most needy and vulnerable people in our community.”

Fagg said working as a volunteer basis, to him, felt like you gained more than you gave.

“Much of my inspiration for these involvements came from my parents Bert and Ruth who gave generously of their time and resources in a very unostentatious way to the Geelong community…

“Along the way I have been extremely lucky to have worked closely with a number of outstanding and talented individuals. I have also had tremendous encouragement and support from my wife Jan.

“Geelong is a unique place to live and work and I believe, a generous city. My family has had a business in Geelong that has operated continuously since 1854 and has always supported the community in whatever way it can.”

Keane was awarded his OAM for service to the community through a range of organisations.

 

He has served multiple community groups including being the chair of MacKillop Family Services which is a not-for-profit organisation that focuses on children in need of care.

Largely funded by State and Federal Governments, it is a $250 million operation with over 1,000 children in care.

Keane is also former president of the Lions Club of Torquay, a foundation chairperson at Nazareth Catholic Parish, a former director of Mercy Services and a chair and independent member of the Audit Risk Committeee of the Surf Coast Shire Council.

For his efforts, he was awarded Lion of the Year in 2014 and the Melvin Jones Fellow by Lions International in 2019.

Chatting exclusively to the Surf Coast Times from Santiago in Chile, the Torquay resident said the honour came as a complete surprise.

“When I heard in the first place that I was nominated, it was the night before flying over to Tokyo on a holiday. It makes me think what will happen next time I go overseas.

“Volunteering and community is the way that I’ve been brought up. I love being part of it and it’s in my DNA.

“There’s so many people in Torquay doing amazing things, many more deserving than myself in my eyes. The work I’ve done is very close to my heart and it’s just such a great honour to have received something of this calibre.”

For more information about those to receive Australia Day honours, head to gg.gov.au/australian-honours-and-awards