By Leon Georgiou
MOUNT Gambier man Thomas Robin Conboy – known as Robin to many – has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) as part of the Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours.
The award was given for service to the Mount Gambier community, a fitting reward for a man who has served on numerous not-for-profit boards and committees since retiring 20 years ago.
As might be expected, Mr Conboy was “surprised” to be awarded the OAM.
“I found out about two months ago. I think we got two emails from the Governor General’s secretaries [asking], would you like to be involved in it and all that sort of thing,” he said.
“One of my mates put in my name, and three or four others endorsed it, and they had a long list of things I did, and you don’t realise just how much you get involved in.”
Mr Conboy’s community spirit seems to be driven by a sense of wanting to meet people and where possible, help them.
But there’s also a pragmatism – perhaps symptomatic of his generation – behind Mr Conboy’s drive to be involved within the community.
He points out that it’s no good sitting around “doing nothing” and that “you’ve got to be busy”.
At 83 years of age, Mr Conboy can still be found helping within the community.
These days he is predominantly involved with the Old Mount Gambier Gaol Community Garden – having been one of its founding members and president.
Having owned a garden centre before retiring, Mr Conboy continues to provide his extensive horticultural knowledge and expertise to the community.
Mr Conboy has also been involved in numerous other organisations and initiatives including the Mount Gambier Lions Club (for over 30 years), the Boandik Aged Care Facility, the Mount Gambier University of the Third Age, Friendship Force Mount Gambier and the Hospital Gardens Sub-Committee.
