By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A stunningly long line of Greater Dandenong’s finest contributors have been deservedly recognised in the 2019 Australia Day Honours List.
They included Superintendant Charles Allen, who was awarded the Police Service Medal, in part for his work building peace in the Dandenong region.
Springvale Park Special Developmental School principal Jacqueline Lowther received the Public Service Medal for promoting improved outcomes for her students.
Former Dandenong assistant Scout leader John de Wijn QC was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to Scouts and to tax law.
Dr Simon Smith, an ex-coordinator of Springvale Monash Legal Service, also received the AM for significant service to law, higher education and history.
There were numerous awardees of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), such as former Dandenong CIB detective, Anzac Day piper and charity organiser Ian Arrell.
Mr Arrell said he just “thoroughly enjoyed” playing the bagpipes and being part of the charity, International Order of Old Bastards.
“You don’t do these things for the recognition.”
Other OAMs included Noble Park indigenous elder Aunty Fay Carter, who said she simply wanted to “make a difference and advance our people as much as we could”.
Dandenong North charity organiser Jennifer Grainger, another OAM, said: “Doing good for other people is just part of me.
“It’s where you get your joy and your pleasure.”
Springvale Indo-Chinese Mutual Assistance Association co-founder Be Ha OAM spoke of the need to “pay forward” the kindnesses bestowed to her and her family since fleeing Vietnam in 1979.
Notable OAMs also included Dandenong and District Aboriginal Co-operative member Aunty Diane Kerr, Endeavour Hills charity organizer James Martin, Dandenong North horticulturalist and writer Noelle Weatherley.
Former Springvale mayor and Friends of Ermera founding president Jan Trezise also received an OAM.
On Australia Day, the City of Greater Dandenong unveiled Wicki Vickramasingham as its 2019 Citizen of the Year.
Having fled war-struck Sri Lanka, he immersed himself in helping other new arrivals and setting up important Tamil community groups.
“I love my country. At this moment, it’s my home town and home country,” he said.
