Margaret Keech doesn’t seek out community groups to join, it just happens.
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The Strathfieldsaye resident has received an Order of Australia Medal for service to the community of Bendigo.
“I’m very pleased and humbled,” she said. “I am involved in a lot of different areas and have been for a long time.
“Being out and about and helping people is something I enjoy. It’s just what happens, I like being involved.
“I will probably always be doing something because I don't spend a lot of time sitting still.”
Mrs Keech’s long list of community service includes chairing the Bendigo Academy of Sport since 2007 and holding positions with Scouts Victoria at the local (Strathfieldsaye) and district (Bendigo) levels.
She is a member of the Strathfieldsaye Community Reference Group, a member of the Central Victorian Rural Women's Network, a team member of Dragons Abreast Bendigo and is part of the Girton Grammar School Parents and Friends Association.
“The groups I am involved in go right through different ages and areas,” she said.
“It goes from the cubs (scouts) to Forever Young with the Academy of Sport in the middle.
“I was a sports physio originally, so the Academy of Sport fits in with that background.
“I had three children go through the Academy in the volleyball program and have been chair of the board for several years.
“Scouting is also something that continued after becoming involved with the children.”
Mrs Keech also has an interest in the arts and has managed Forever Young choir since 2011 and is a board member of the Ulumbarra Foundation.
“The Ulumbarra Foundation is very interesting. It is something different to anything I have done. I have no background in performing, I just want to support it,” she said.
“I have been with Forever Young since the get-go. I’m friends with (founder) Laura Dusseljee. I helped get that together and have been a background roadie person since beginning.”