The event, held at the Lakeside Community Centre, also known as the Glasshouse, was aimed at promoting the nomination of local citizens for recognition under the Australian honours system as well as undertaking activities in support of the community and social activities for members.
During the group’s 30 years an estimated 600 people from the area have received Order of Australia awards either on Australia Day or the Queen’s Birthday.
Governor-General David Hurley, the patron of the Order of Austral Association, sent a message of congratulations and commended the regional group for its work in promoting the nomination of its regional citizens to receive recognition under Australia’s awards system.
Governor of Victoria Linda Dessau also requested that her congratulations be recorded.
NEGV was established in May 1993 as part of the Victorian branch of the association.
The establishment of the group followed the annual picnic of the Victorian branch of the association held at Brown Brothers Milawa in March that year.
On May 16, 1993, a luncheon and the inaugural meeting of NEGV was held at Rafferty’s restaurant in Benalla where Sir Zelman Cowan, a former Governor-General and president of the association, was the guest speaker.
John Brown Snr AM (Milawa) was elected chairman, and the committee members were John Sleigh OAM (Nagambie), Margot Ballard OAM (Wangaratta), Brian Jasper OAM (Rutherglen) and Kevin Riordan OAM (Shepparton).
The guest speakers at the 30th anniversary luncheon were John Brown AO (the son of John Brown AM) and Pam Robinson AM.
The host for the 30th anniversary luncheon was Barbara Thomas OAM, chair of the North-East Goulburn Valley Group, who, like John Brown AO, has a close family connection with the Group.
Barbara’s father, Dr Frederick Roy Phillips OAM, was an inaugural member of the group and almost certainly attended the formation meeting.
Pam Robinson AM, who was awarded an OAM in 1990, also attended the inaugural meeting and luncheon in May 1993.
A spokesperson for NEGV group asid it now looked forward to continuing to ensure as many worthy citizens of the region as possible were nominated for awards within the Order Of Australia.
“It is not too difficult to nominate someone,” the spokesperson said.
“Just log onto the website www.gg.gov.au and take it from there.
“If you do need help then members of the NEGV group are available.
“Contact Barbara Thomas on pb.thomas@bigpond.com or Marg Attley on marg.attley@aussiebb.com.au who will be able to get a member close to you to assist.”
