Humbled: Heather Barrie received a Moira Shire award by panel of administrators John Tanner, Suzanna Sheed and Dr Graeme Emonson.
It was a change from normal proceedings at the Moira Shire Council meeting on Wednesday, February 28, as the council’s panel of administrators and council executive honoured the 2024 OAM recipients with their own council awards.
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The small ceremony, which occurred at the beginning of the council meeting, saw chair of the panel of administrators, John Tanner, read out the accomplishments of the four Moira Shire residents, Heather Barrie, Brian Keenan, Rosemary Kennett and Lynette Franklin, who received OAM honours.
Each recipient was then handed a certificate by Mr Tanner and fellow panel members Suzanna Sheed and Dr Graeme Emonson.
Heather Barrie
Heather Barrie received her OAM for her decades of service to the Cobram community.
This has included volunteering at Moira FoodShare since 2003 and at the Cobram Support and Information Service for the past 40 years.
Previously, she was a volunteer camp co-ordinator at the Portsea Camp from 1996 to 2020 and volunteered at Ottrey Lodge in Cobram with carpet bowls and bingo.
When receiving her award from the administrators, Ms Barrie thanked the community and humbly insisted she didn’t deserve the OAM.
Brian Keenan
Thankful: Brian Keenan receiving his award from the council in light of receiving an OAM.
Brian Keenan was honoured for service to the community of Yarrawonga, which has included 67 years in the CFA.
Mr Keenan was Yarrawonga Brigade captain for 30 years from 1976-2006 and Almonds Fire Brigade captain for 10 years during his time at Almonds.
For 10 years during the 1970s and 1980s, the now-87-year-old was controller at the Yarrawonga unit of the Victorian SES.
Mr Keenan is a life member of the CFA, Ambulance Victoria and was made an honorary life member of Yarrawonga and District Agricultural and Pastoral Association in 2000.
He also served as a Moira Shire councillor for 16 years, including as mayor.
Rosemary Kennett
Blessing: Rosemary Kennett said volunteering was a special experience.
Rosemary Kennett was given her OAM after a lifetime of service to the Numurkah community.
Ms Kennett has volunteered at several organisations, including Numurkah and District Historical Society, Numurkah Pioneers Memorial Lodge, Numurkah and District Development Committee and MHA Care Meals on Wheels Numurkah.
Her service to the community has previously been acknowledged, having been honoured as the Numurkah Citizen of the Year in 2020.
When receiving her Moira Shire award, Ms Kennett said she loved to volunteer and hoped she helped make other people’s day special through her volunteering.
Lynette Franklin
Lynette Franklin received the OAM for her research and work in local history and her volunteer work in the community.
Ms Franklin is an avid researcher and has been the chief researcher for the Nathalia and District Historical Society for more than 20 years and also the chief researcher for the Nathalia Genealogy Group for more than 20 years.
Through her research, she has gone on to become the author of a number of local historical books.
Ms Franklin’s community volunteer roles included being Nathalia Probus Club newsletter editor for 20 years, Barwo Homestead secretary for 25 years, and former member of the committee of management for Nathalia District Hospital for 10 years.
Other community roles included being a lay preacher with the Uniting Church of Australia, member of Numurkah Singers, volunteer for Meals on Wheels, volunteer for Broken Creek Improvement Group and Landcare Victoria, and member and researcher at Nathalia Cemetery Trust, 2016-2023.
She was also a councillor for the former Nathalia Shire.
