PROMINENT Mount Gambier identity Eric Roughana OAM has become a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his decades of service to the regional community.
Mr Roughana is among six Mount Gambier residents recognised on the prestigious Australia Day Honours List.
While Mr Roughana is well known as being a pioneer in the regional timber industry, he has donated a significant part of his life to community service.
The community stalwart was awarded particularly for his service to the Lions Club of Mount Gambier, aged care facility Boandik and St Paul’s Catholic Church.
Speaking to The Border Watch ahead of Saturday’s announcement, Mr Roughana said he was both surprised and humbled with his latest accolade.
“I did not expect this, I am truly humbled,” Mr Roughana said.
“I come across many, many people in our community who give huge amounts of time and effort into volunteering and also deserve recognition.”
Boandik chief executive officer Gillian McGinty praised Mr Roughana’s contribution to the aged care provider that spanned more than four decades.
She revealed Mr Roughana’s association with Boandik started in 1969 when he became a member of the board.
“Eric made an amazing contribution to Boandik over his 41 years of service, retiring from the board in 2010,” Ms McGinty said.
But she said Mr Roughana’s service to Boandik did not stop with his retirement from the board.
“Eric now volunteers his time at St Mary’s, leading a weekly get together for a discussion on common areas of interest,” Ms McGinty said.
He was initially involved on the building committee which included raising funds through a public appeal for the construction of the nursing home.
The appeal raised a higher amount than the target.
In 1984 Eric was appointed as board chairman, a position he held for a period of 26 years until his retirement.
“Eric provided strong leadership of Boandik, kept abreast of changes in legislation and contemporary practice and was committed to meeting the needs of the aged in our region,” Ms McGinty said.
“The continued expansion of Boandik during Eric’s years of service was made possible by the effective management of the finances by the Board, financial management being a strong focus from Eric. ”
In 1969 when Eric joined the Boandik Lodge Board, the facility provided accommodation, care and services to between 66 and 75 people.
“When Eric retired Boandik had three residential sites in Mount Gambier, provided care to over 600 clients throughout the South East of South Australia and employed over 340 staff,” Ms McGinty added.
“Boandik is very fortunate to have Eric Roughana as a member of our community.”
Mr Roughana has also been described as the “quintessential member” of the Lions Club fraternity.
A member of the club for over half a century, Mr Roughana has served as president and has shown leadership and commitment.
Mr Roughana has received a string of awards and recognition during his life including being a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1981.
He has also been an inducted into the Australian Lions Foundation Hall of Fame.
During decades of community service, Mr Roughana has been the former chair of the Mount Gambier City Band organising committee and Mount Gambier TAFE Council.
Mr Roughana was also a former president of the Mount Gambier Tennis Club and the Mount Gambier and District Tennis Association.
