The indefatigable community stalwart passed away on Sunday, but her influence on Eaglehawk will never be forgotten.

Affectionately dubbed the “Queen of Eaglehawk”, Mrs Miller devoted her life to two things: her family and her community.

“She just left this legacy of a family you really wanted to belong to,” Lorraine Foti told the Bendigo Advertiser.

Over the course of her 86 years, she performed innumerable charitable deeds, contributed to countless organisations and left an indelible mark on everyone she met.

For her efforts she received a number of civic honours including, perhaps most notably, the British Empire Medal.

But her considerable achievements were never motivated by the prospect of recognition.

Rather, it was a simple desire to live life to the fullest while helping others around her do the same that drove her participation in all aspects of Eaglehawk life.

“(Her) passion for life and the energy she gave out … was just something to behold,” said Eaglehawk Citizens’ Brass Band secretary Louise Wellard.

Mrs Miller’s complete and absolute immersion in her community is increasingly rare these days.

Times have changed and with the passing years there is a trend towards individualism that has crept into our lives.

Many of us see ourselves as living in a community, but not really part of a community.

Face-to-face interactions with our fellow community members have not only become more infrequent, but more fleeting and superficial.

How many of us know the name of our neighbours, or can hold a genuine conversation with them that goes beyond banal greetings? 

We offer so much of ourselves to complete strangers online through social media, yet are so protective of our time and space in the real world. It is a paradox that cannot be fully and satisfactorily explained.

What is certain is that by putting the shutters up we are robbing ourselves of the opportunity to live a life as fulfilling and meaningful as Mrs Miller lived.

Lola Miller set the bar formidably high, but in so doing gave us all something to aspire to.

- Ross Tyson, deputy editor