Four community members have been recognised for their community service in the Australia Day 2021 honours.
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This year the region has three Medals of the Order of Australia (OAM). An OAM is awarded to individuals worthy of particular recognition.
Julie Gillick OAM has been recognised for her service to education and professional associations.
Ms Gillick is the former Head of Frensham, which she served for more than 20 years. She is also on a number of education boards.
Ms Gillick said she felt honoured to receive the award.
"I was suprised, it's not something you expect." she said.
Dr Judith Carmen Lynch OAM received the honour in recognition of her service to medicine and, in particular, anaesthesiology.
Ms Lynch from Alpine said she was humbled by the recognition.
"It's easy to do a job well when you love it and are surrounded by other quality professionals," she said
Ms Lynch trained as an anaesthetist at the Prince of Wales Hospital about 30 years ago. She also worked at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Ms Lynch has volunteered her skills to assist with cardiac, uterine, and club foot surgeries in Nepal, Tonga and Fiji as part of Open Heart International
She said she was inspired by the dedicated work of other volunteers to become involved in the program.
Marlene Skipper OAM was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to the Marulan community.
Ms Skipper has been president of the Marulan Lions Club since 2018 and a member for 18 years. She is also heavily involved with: the Marulan Progress Association, Marulan Public school, Marulan Kite Festival, Australia Day Committee, Monday Seniors Activity Group and Clean Up Australia Day to name a few.
Ms Skipper said her passion for giving back to the community stemmed from the passing of her two sisters from cancer.
"There has to be a reason I'm the one who survived," she said.
"We are not on this earth for long and if we can't help others then what are we here for?"
Ms Skipper's involvement with the Lions Club helped her to "come out of her shell".
"I see so many people who need help but they don't ask," she said.
"I get so much satisfaction out of helping other people."
Jay Allen OAM was awarded the medal for his tireless work raising awareness of and funding to research melanoma.
Mr Allen began his fight after being diagnosed with the skin cancer more than a decade ago. The passionate campaigner went on to create the Melanoma March - marching various distances in various locations across Australia - to help raise funds for the Melanoma Institute, and joined the fight against solariums in the UK.
Mr Allen, who lives at Balmoral Village, told ACM he never would have believed his own brush with death would later lead to one of his country's highest honours.
"It was totally unexpected," he said. "I was just a truck driver who was diagnosed, and I wanted to give back. I felt there was a big gap in the melanoma space and I wanted to help fill it. I feel that it's my job - I was diagnosed for a reason.
"To anyone out there who has been affected by melanoma - this is for you. Especially the lot of people who have lost loved ones and do it tough every day - I'm going to keep going and keep doing all I can for you."
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Vera Demertzis
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
