• Joining group convenor Jennifer Butt OAM (front) on Saturday were Bega Valley Order of Australia recipients including (in no particular order) John McKee, Kerry Pfeiffer, Garry Mallard, Jim Collins, Alwyn Armstrong, Mary Cocks, John Liston, Peter Barber, Ossie Cruse, Simon Schiavo, Clair Whiter, John Skelton, Patrick Maley, Allan Whiter, Kevin Cole, Corinne Nicolson, David Rossi, Gary Vale, Edna Duncanson, David Winkworth, Beryl Schaefer, Paul Windle, Peter Johnston, Laurel Powell, Doreen Elliott, Noel Trevaskis, John Liston and Margaret Douch.
A celebration was held on Saturday to mark the formation of the Order of Australia far South Coast group.
Recipients of the Order of Australia awards gathered for the first time at the Bega Country Club.
Group Convener, Jennifer Butt OAM said she expected about 30 people to turn out and was very surprised when double the number attended.
Co-ordinator of the Order of Australia Association’s NSW regional groups, Ron Sharpe was a special guest with the mayor of Bega Valley Shire Council, Tony Allen and member for Bega, Andrew Constance.
Cr Allen paid tribute to all the recipients and all their tireless community work which often went unrecognised until the nomination arrived in the mail.
Cr Allen said that the recipients self-discipline and motivation provided a wonderful example for younger generations to follow.
“I offer my thanks for the huge amount of work you all do,” said Cr Allen.
Mr Constance said the contribution of the award recipients was not celebrated enough.
“The work you all do at all hours of the day on all sorts of things makes us a better community,” he said.