For the past decade or so when they dish out awards on Australia Day or the Queen's birthday I always give Marie a thought. “Why isn’t she on the list?” I’d say to nobody in particular.

When recipients are footballers, cricketers, pop stars, filthy rich business tycoons or career politicians, I’d shake my head and ponder why we don't just confine these awards to ordinary folk like Marie who unconditionally do extraordinary things voluntarily for their community, seeking neither recognition nor reward.  

Born in Bundanoon when the town had as many as 50 guest houses and was a bustling tourist attraction, young Marie Clark (from the old Gambell family of Gambell’s Rest fame) went to school first at Bundanoon Primary then Bowral High. 

In 1942 she joined the Australian Women’s Army Service, remaining right through the war years as a gunner and signal woman with the Coast Artillery and Signals.  

On discharge from the army she undertook a technical college course studying sewing, dressmaking, embroidery and millenary before starting sewing classes in Bundanoon, Moss Vale and Bowral.  

What a career change, eh?

Marie married Fred Hodgson in 1952 and lived in Moss Vale until her death last week, working and continuing to do community service while raising their three impressive young products of the post-war baby boom - Owen, Edwin and Anne (Barcicki).

With three children at Moss Vale Primary School, she took on the roles of treasurer of the mothers’ club and then president of the P&C Auxiliary. She worked and supported the P&C well after her children had left the school and in appreciation was made a life member of the Parents and Citizens Association. She was also an active member of the Moss Vale High School P&C.  

Marie had a 50 year association with the Girl Guides movement, visiting England, Switzerland, India and Mexico as part of her voluntary work. She was for 10 years a Brownie leader, for five years a district commissioner and five years as a region commissioner, as well as doing five years as an assistant region commissioner. She was given the prestigious Wattle Award, Australian Guiding’s highest honour, as well as the Kath Badgery Award for services to local guiding. 

Marie realised that to carry out her guiding duties at this level, she would need to improve her public speaking, so joined the Toastmasters Club. And she would need to learn to drive. So she did, at 55.  

In the mid 1970s Marie joined Meals on Wheels in Moss Vale before becoming the founding director of the Wingecarribee Food Services Cooperative, formed to replace the traditional old Meals on Wheels services. 

She joined Probus and was a member (and treasurer) of Moss Vale Horticultural Society, running flower shows and raising money for charity. 

As well, Marie was an active member of the Uniting Church community and a volunteer tutor with TAFE assisting students who needed extra help.

After the death of Fred in 1986 and with the assistance of a friend, Margaret Burt, the Widow’s Club came into being in 1987.  This club offered support and friendship to widows, operating for eight years before being amalgamated with Legacy and other support groups.  

When Wingecarribee Council advertised for interested people to help celebrate the Year of Older Persons in 1999, she immediately volunteered and continued to be a very active member of the Wingecarribee Seniors Advisory Committee.  

The classic quiet achiever, who didn't seek the limelight but just got on with the job, I reckon Marie Hodgson is one of those people former Frensham headmistress Winifred West had in mind when she told her students; 

"We shall not be driven to work by desire for reward or recognition, by fear of punishment, or desire to be first - we shall do our best, because that is the thing worth doing."

Go well Marie Hodgson. You were a gem.