Kathryn Mackenzie never set out to start a career in tourism but she has ended up spending 26 years of her life in the industry. Her Order of Australia Medal is for service to tourism in regional Victoria.
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Growing up in Cohuna, Kathryn studied teaching and went to La Trobe in Bendigo during its first year of operation.
When she wrote a book for the Wimmera's 19th Machine Gun Battalion, she realised how big tourism was.
"(The battalion) was at the bombing of Darwin and I was using war memorial records and they asked if I would put in for a job at the Australian War Memorial," she said.
"(I became) an education officer and that was where I realised tourism was massive. More than million people a year (visited) the memorial."
After completing a masters of tourism, Kathryn worked at the City of Greater Bendigo from 1995 until 2017 when she became CEO of Echuca Moama and District Tourism.
During her time in Bendigo, Kathryn helped complete the historic post office development and assisted the Bendigo Art Gallery in developing the city's arts and culture scene.
"It's a very joyful industry. I knew I wanted to do something in tourism but destiny just took its course and I followed," she said.
"I just love working with communities, working in our industry, working with local government to drive economic activity.
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"When it came through that my name had been put up (for an OAM), I didn't get too excited, it's not what you work for. But it's Its lovely to think someone respects the work you've done."
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