Vic Newsletter April 2013 - Order of Australia Association

6Central Highlands Regional GroupThe Central Highlands Region received four new Order of Australia awards in January and we hope to persuadethem to join the Association. Although the region is quite far flung it is pleasing to note that the members of theAssociation do continue to maintain contact. For example Ms Jean Wise OAM gathered the local members togetherfor lunch in Warracknabeal on Australia Day. This type of local activity is to be applauded. The Group hopes foranother large turn out for the Annual Luncheon on 26th May in Ballarat.North East Victoria & Goulburn Valley Regional GroupThis year the Group is celebrating 20 years since its establishment with plans already completed for a luncheon to beheld at the world acclaimed Epicurean Centre at Brown Bros Winery at Milawa. The venue is most fitting as this iswhere it all began in March 1993 with a picnic on the lawns at the winery where the late John Brown Snr was electedas the first Chairman of the Group. This promises to be a most exciting event as it is expected that three or fourof the original members will be in attendance. An illustrated presentation of those in attendance and the activitieson that historic day is planned. Planning for the activities for the remainder of the year are almost complete with aline-up of exciting speakers and functions which will include: ▪ The August function in Nagambie with a visit to seeBlack Caviar, ▪ A guest speaker who will explain the organising of CHOGM, ▪ The five new awardees from withinthe region this Australia Day.Mallee Regional GroupOn Australia Day, the Mildura Rural City Council again provided special tables at district Australia Day ceremonies forOrder of Australia Award recipients and introduced them to the audience during the proceedings. There were fournew recipients of Australia Day awards in the Mallee Region: Dr John Horton OAM (Birchip), Christine Knight OAM(Merbein), Leanne Morgan OAM (Mildura) and Robert Pollock OAM (Red Cliffs). The Red Cliffs Club was the venuefor the Mallee Group’s Luncheon and Annual General Meeting on Sunday 10 February 2013. The lunch was probablyone of the rare occasions where there were four former Mildura Mayors present: Ken Wright OAM JP, Shirley PennyOAM JP, Brian Grogan OAM and Peter Byrne OAM. Guest speaker at the lunch was Peter Byrne who spoke on theimportant work being undertaken by the Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Community Council to help integrate into the Malleeregion genuine refugees who have been granted permanent residency in Australia. He stressed that the majority of thenew arrivals had a keen desire to be accepted by the local community, to work hard and to further their education. At theAGM following the lunch, the Mallee Group re-elected the Committee for a further term. Members of the Committeeare: Ken Wright OAM JP (President), Bill McGinty OAM (Vice-President), DanMacFarlane AM (Secretary/Treasurer), Brian Grogan OAM, Betty Krake OAMand Shirley Penny OAM JP. The Group President Ken Wright and Valda Wrightattended the Order of Australia Association National Conference in Canberrain February. They also extend their congratulations to Laurie Andriske OAM onreaching his 90th birthday recently and wish him many more.Photo: Peter Byrne OAM and Donnie ByrneWestern Suburbs Regional GroupThe Western Suburbs Regional Group held its final event for 2012 on 31st October when a luncheon was heldat “Quatrefoils” restaurant, Sydenham. This “pre-Christmas” event featured as guest speaker Dr. Graeme SmithOAM, Managing Director of the Lort Smith Lost Dogs Home. A significant donation from the Western SuburbsGroup was made to the Lost Dogs Home for its continuing vital work. Feature guest was the retiring RegionalGroups Co-ordinator Kevin Howard OAM. The chairman, on behalf of the Western Suburbs Group, expresseddeep appreciation, particularly for Kevin’s sterling efforts in helping to revive the Group from February 2011 andhis on-going support and encouragement. The Annual Meeting was held and resulted in John Nicol OAM beingre-elected with acclamation. Vance Hilton OAM, John Ravenhall AM and Allan Eldridge OAM were “re-elected” totheir previous roles and Dr. June Kane AM was also elected to the executive committee. Reports from the chairman,secretary and treasurer were received favourably and accepted. The 42 members and guests enjoyed the event verymuch. An “executive” committee met at the Williamstown R&SL in December to review the 2012 year program andcontinue planning for 2013 and which will include an evening event in the program to enable members who cannotattend lunch time functions to be present. A luncheon was held at Parliament House in February, followed by abrief viewing of Question time in the Legislative Assembly and the opportunity for a “Cook’s tour” of the building.The event was “hosted” by the Speaker, Ken Smith through the good graces of Chairman John Nicol. The secondGroup event for 2013 will be a luncheon on 9th May, with State Chairman David Mann OAM as the guest speaker.April_2013.indd 65/04/2013 5:19:21 PM