For two Gisborne area residents, this Australia Day marks formal recognition of their extensive contributions to the community with a prestigious civilian honour.
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Carmel Clemson and Russell Walker have both been awarded Medals of the Order of Australia (OAM) for their service to the Macedon Ranges and Victoria, respectively.
Mrs Clemson, a marriage and funeral celebrant, has been involved with a range of community organisations in the Macedon Ranges.
These include the Woodend Lifestyle Carers Support Group, the Gisborne Cemetery Trust, the Gisborne Christmas Festival Committee and Bullengarook Landcare.
She has also served as a columnist for GREAT Gisborne Gazette community newspaper and a contributor to the Bullengarook Bellows community newspaper.
In the 1990s, Mrs Clemson was also a councillor with the former Shire of Gisborne.
She is also a Justice of the Peace.
Mr Walker has served the Victorian community in a variety of roles.
For 20 years, he was the Victorian assistant auditor-general, and was also appointed the Commissioner of the Victorian Commission of Audit.
He has served as chairman, board member and treasurer of Guide Dogs Victoria, was a board member of Guide Dogs Australia, and trained guide dogs for some 18 years.
Mr Walker has also been a board member of the Macedon Ranges Health Service and was once chair of its audit and risk management committee.
At Coliban Water, he served as director, deputy chairman and the chairman of the audit and risk committee.
In the 1990s, he was chairman of the Western Bulldogs’ fundraising group.
Mr Walker is now vice president of charitable disbursements and marketing for the Gisborne and District Lions Club and a board member of the Gisborne and District Bowling Club.
To meet more of central Victoria’s 2018 Australia Day Honours List recipients, click here.
