Lynne Koerbin of Merimbula has received a Queen’s Birthday Honour for her service to people with a disability, and to community health.
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Her Medal of the Order of Australia was one of many officially announced on Monday, June 11.
Ms Koerbin has worked 35 years in disability and health and said it was very humbling to be recognised for her work and how it has made a difference to people.
“I am passionate about working with people with disabilities, I have had family members with disabilities which first steered me in that direction early in my career,” she said.
“It genuinely is really rewarding, you get a lot back when you give a lot.”
Ms Koerbin found out she had received the award while holidaying at Rottnest Island.
“My daughter rang me when I was away and said ‘Mum, Mum there is a fancy letter here, do you want me to open it!?’
My daughter rang me when I was away and said ‘mum, mum there is a fancy letter here do you want me to open it!?
- Lynne Koerbin
Ms Koerbin said the letter was sealed with the gold crest of government house – “it wasn’t your usual Telstra bill”.
Her daughter read a few words from the letter before Ms Koerbin said she burst into celebrations.
“It would have been too difficult keeping the news a secret when I was travelling with my family,” she said.
After spending six weeks flying around Australia in a light aircraft on long service leave, Ms Koerbin returned home on Friday, June 8.
Ms Koerbin is well known in the Bega Valley Shire community. She is president of the Carers Accommodation South East project and has worked over the past five years to build accommodation at the South East Regional Hospital.
Ms Koerbin is an occupational therapist by training, she has previously managed community health services in the Bega Valley before moving across to disability support services.
She is currently a senior planner for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
After moving to Merimbula 23 years ago, Ms Koerbin said, “it is such a great community to be a part of”.
Pambula Rotary is also ready to welcome Ms Koerbin as president next week.
Her Medal of the Honour of Australia (OAM) will be presented at a ceremony later this year, the date is yet to be confirmed.
Ms Koerbin was joined on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List by Barragga Bay’s Sheena Boughen, life ambassador for Four Winds.