Shock was a common reaction among those Hume and Whittlesea residents whose selfless devotion to their community and also the emergency services were recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Terence McKay from Gladstone Park was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the community through his work as a grief counsellor, bail justice, community guardian and probation officer.
He has an extensive list of both community and professional services and said it was “honour” to have his work recognised.
“I never would have anticipated at any time along the way that I’d be recognised for this sort of award for doing what I do,” Mr McKay said.
“I think so many people would and could do what I do if they had the level of family support and encouragement that I’ve had, you can do a lot of good.”
Also honoured were Thomastown couple Beryl and Lindsay Patullo.
Mrs Patullo has fulfilled a number of community roles with the Whittlesea Historical Society, Aurora Support Services and and Whittlesea Neighbourhood Watch.
Her husband, Lindsay Patullo joins her on the list of OAM recipients for his work at Aurora Support Services.
South Morang resident Trevor Alan Carroll was also awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his work with people with disabilities.
Mr Carroll has been chief executive of Disability Justice Australia since 2009, was a founding member of Victoria Police Disability Portfolio Reference Group in 2014 and has been chairperson of Disabled People’s International in the Asia Pacific region.
“It is a wonderful honour to be nominated, but it’s an even bigger privilege to be judged worthy to receive the Medal of the Order of Australia. I feel very humbled to be recognised in this way,“ Mr Carroll said.
Mernda local John Cowan was honoured with an Australian Fire Service Medal for his contribution to the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and the community over 43 years.
Mr Cowan belongs to the CFA District 14 Headquarters providing support to the Sunshine Incident Control Centre during large incidents as a level three planner, responsible for organising the response and recovery to incidents.
The 68-year-old said he was “a little embarrassed” by the recognition but found it “more humbling than anything“.
“When I got over the shock I was actually quite honoured to think that someone would nominate me for such an award,” Mr Cowan said.
