MOUNT Gambier’s Margaret Winterfield and Millicent’s Garry Davis have been recognised with Order of Australia medals in the Australia Day Honours List.
Mrs Winterfield’s medal recognises service to veterans and their families, while Mr Davis’s is for service to the community through a range of roles.
Born and raised in Mount Gambier, Mrs Winterfield has spent her life fostering communities and supporting not-for-profit organisations including her ongoing support of the Mount Gambier Returned and Services League (RSL), the Caledonian Society and the Mount Gambier Legacy Group.
With more than 30 years of volunteer work with the local RSL and 44 years as a member of the Caledonian Society, the avid volunteer said it was a great surprise to receive the award.
“At the RSL I do the catering for birthday parties, wakes and other events but I am also on the main committee so I do that as well as fundraising,” Mrs Winterfield said.
“It keeps me entertained because people should not sit at home all their life.”
Mrs Winterfield began volunteering with the Caledonian Society and the Blue Lake Pipe Band before joining the RSL.
“My husband became the president of the RSL and I came along and went from there,” she said.
“I love meeting new people and talking to them but also really enjoy the catering and having people coming back for more events.”
Labelling the volunteer work as “lovely”, Mrs Winterfield said it was always Anzac Day which stood out for her.
“We usually start at 6am and don’t finish until around 8pm,” she said.
“It stands out each year to me as the biggest day of the year.”
Also heavily involved in the Caledonian Society, Mrs Winterfield has been chief of the society since 2010.
“I am a life member of the society and have been secretary for around 20 years but I am now the chief,” she said.
“I help out the Scottish society including the highland dancers and the pipe band and foster that community.”
Mrs Winterfield said receiving the OAM came as a surprise.
“I am quite proud of receiving the award and when I told one of my sons he almost fell off his chair,” she said.
“My other son said it was about time which I found quite funny.
“I have known since September and it was really hard to keep it a secret.”
Mrs Winterfield also received the Premier’s Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Service in 2018 and an RSL National Award for her volunteering.
Millicent based builder, Garry Davis has been a member of the Lions club for 40 years but is modest about being acknowledged with an OAM.
“I was really chuffed but I reckon there are more deserving people around – it’s a team thing really,” Garry said.
When asked if he was surprised by the award, Garry said: “Bloody oath I was – I was really surprised.”
He said his family was excited for him.
“They were over the moon,” Garry said.
Garry has been a member of the Lions Club of Millicent since 1982 and is well known for his building expertise which often makes him the club appointed building supervisor, mentor and tradesman for many community projects.
He is also known for his practical jokes, keeping alive the club spirit of having fun while serving the community.
Garry has held many positions in Lions at the local and district level.
He was also a committee member and Vice President for the former Millicent and District Community Club, and past Leader of the Millicent Scout Group and past President of its Parent Group.
Garry has also been the recipient of a number of Lions Club awards including the Centennial Membership Award, the District Governor’s Star Award for service to youth, and Lions’ highest award, the Melvin Jones Fellowship.
