Noble Park stalwart JoanSpence has been honoured for her outstanding welfare work.
By Shaun Inguanzo
JOAN Spence admits she knew little of Australia’s efforts in World War II when she first met her husband to be, Harry, in 1948.
But 60 years on, the Noble Park stalwart has lived a fulfilling life of helping war veterans and their families.
So much so that this week Mrs Spence was honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her outstanding welfare work, which spans almost 40 years.
Mrs Spence, 76, has lived in Noble Park since November 1956 and said her late husband Harry Spence did not talk much about his naval service in the Pacific during World War II.
But the exposure to Australia’s armed forces through her husband and also her father prompted Mrs Spence to become involved with the equally important women’s efforts.
The Noble Park RSL sub branch, of which Mrs Spence is a committee member, and the Australian Air League jointly nominated her for an OAM in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the welfare of returned servicemen and women.
Mrs Spence is president and life member of the Noble Park RSL’s Women’s Auxiliary; a vice-president, area officer and senior delegate of the RSL Women’s Council of Victoria; a life member of the Australian Air League; and committee member of the Noble Park RSL.
And although Mrs Spence admits she is not getting any younger, it is the work and her friends within those organisations that have kept her in high spirits and good health, particularly since her husband died 1992.
“Everybody is like a friend, in fact, they’re family to me,” Mrs Spence said.
Mrs Spence said the Women’s Auxiliary movement was not finding enough new members to take the place of older participants, some who still contributed to fundraising activities at the age of 94.
“There are not a lot of young ones interested, it (the movement) is dying,” Mrs Spence said.
“I visited Warracknabeal and then Portland (Women’s Auxiliaries) and there is one lady who is 93, and another one who is 94.
“They’re still doing it, but the young ones are not interested.”
Mrs Spence said the Australian Air League was an organisation that gave young people a fun taste of a military career, educating them about the air force.
But despite her ongoing commitments, Mrs Spence said she never expected to be honoured with an OAM.
“When I first heard about it I felt sick and cried for hour,” she said.
“But then I thought about it, and if people wish to nominate me and think I’m deserving of it, then it is best to accept it.”
Mrs Spence now looks forward to the day in September when she will receive her medal at Government House.
But until then, it’s business as usual.
“I think it’s a great honour but I haven’t stopped to think about it much yet, as I’ve been a bit too busy thinking about all of the meetings I’ve got coming up,” she said.
