north east regional extra | July 1 - 7, 2020
nemedia.com.au
1.
July 1-7, 2020
◆ RIDING HIGH: Beechworth’s John Hennessy with Tourism North East’s ‘Ride High Country’ ambassador and world mountain biking champion Paul van der Ploeg from Mount Beauty. PHOTO: courtesy Tourism North East
Volunteering and pennyfarthings FOR Beechworth’s John Hennessy ESM, volunteerism is the backbone of communities - it’s what makes them tick. The local legend who is also known in Beechworth for riding his pennyfarthing on special occasions around town was awarded the Emergency Services Medal in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours for outstanding volunteer service to the Victorian State Emergency Services (VICSES). “There are 5000 VICSES volunteers who do an amazing job and I was flabbergasted to
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By CORAL COOKSLEY learn I was awarded a meritorious medal,” he said. The quiet achiever sees himself as “just a little cog who works cooperatively in a big team.” With a strong belief that communities cannot function without volunteers, John enjoys “giving back” and attributes SES standards and values in helping to define who he is today.
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A proud SES volunteer for more than three decades, the energetic 80-year-old has worked mainly in North East Victoria but has been deployed across the state and interstate during disaster emergencies. His dedication in improving volunteerism, and enhancing the volunteer experience at VICSES has included many roles across several SES units and has earned him state-wide peer and staff respect. Roles have included helping to establish the North East’s Regional Support Unit at Be-
nalla, and aiding in the rebuild of the Tallangatta Unit, mentoring new controllers and attending major flood and fire events. Presently Myrtleford SES unit’s deputy controller, Mr Hennessy has been a team member for the last 12 years along with membership on various VICSES state committees. “Being part of a volunteer organisation that does good things, one gets a buzz, learns new skills and enjoys great camaraderie too.” While the SES has played a significant role in John’s
life, he credits four incredibly strong women - his mother, grandmother and two aunts - in shaping his life from an early age. “My father was called up for war service nine days after I was born - he was a WWII Burma Railway Prisoner of War survivor.” “Living in Brisbane, my mother and I returned home to our 6,000 acre family property near Wagga Wagga where these independent women managed the property with little assistance and
I didn’t see my dad until I was five.” “My early years on the farm gave me a sense of independence and self reliance.” “And my father always impressed upon me the value of mateship, cooperation and working together as a team for the greater good.” “The North East is a great place to live, a lifestyle choice for many, and such an interesting part of the world, why wouldn’t you want to be a volunteer and contribute to your community?”
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