By Laura Michell
A tennis club president, a music teacher and the founder of the Diamond Valley and Districts Vietnam Veterans sub-branch have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours list.
Bundoora’s Sivaganga Sahathevan was recognised for her service to the Indian community of Victoria, and to music, receiving a medal of the Order of Australia.
The music teacher is the co-ordinator of The Taste of India community choir which raises money for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, and a supporter of Girls from Oz which helps improve education and employment outcomes for young women in remote communities.
“I always try to encourage people to help each other and help the community. This country gave me a chance to do something,” she said.
“Music is a passion for me … it is not a job. When I start my classes, I feel like I am relaxing.”
Mrs Sahathevan said she hoped she had taught the young people she works with as part of the choir to lend a hand to people in need and be understanding of other cultures and traditions.
West Lalor Tennis Club president Andrew MacNeill received an Order of Australia Medal for his service to tennis and to the accountancy profession.
Mr MacNeill has been president of the West Lalor Tennis Club since 2015. He joined the club about 20 years ago.
In 2018, he was named Tennis Victoria’s Most Outstanding Volunteer and received the organisation’s Victorian Community Champion Award. The West Lalor Tennis Club was named as the Most Outstanding Club.
The Mill Park resident said it was “surreal” to be included on the honours list.
He said he joined the tennis club committee in 2013 in the hope of making a difference.
“I could see the club struggling,” he said.
“I’ve also got young kids so I wanted to create somewhere they could play together. At the time, there were no junior teams at the club. Now there are 11.”
Mill Park’s Lee Webb also received a medal of the Order of Australia for his service to veterans and their families.
Mr Webb is the founding member of the Diamond Valley and Districts Vietnam Veterans sub-branch and has been president of the Greensborough sub-branch of the RSL since 1996 and senior vice-president of the RSL’s Victorian branch since 2017.
Mr Webb was inducted into the RSL hall of Fame in 2005.
He is also the co-founder of the Diamond Valley Men’s Shed and a Justice of the Peace.
