AS people across Orange head out to commemorate another year of national festivities on Australia Day, what is clear is that we have a lot to celebrate.
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Orange has three Order of Australia Medal recipients this Australia Day and congratulations go to Tony Gorringe, Dick Niven and Kerry Pinnell for their long and dedicated service to the community.
The three have contributed to Orange and beyond in very different ways.
Mr Gorringe’s deafness as a result of illness as a child and his vibrant personality and passion for lawn bowls have helped generations of hearing-impaired people enjoy everything life has to offer, and some lawn bowls along the way.
Mr Niven is perhaps best known for his 28 years on Orange City Council, but underneath the history of public service are the community causes like the Orange Botanic Gardens, which may not have been available to Orange residents otherwise.
Ms Pinnell can also be very proud of the sheer number of students she inspired to take up agriculture after they left Canobolas Rural Technology High School - Australia’s, and indeed East Timor’s, food supply owes her a great deal.
No doubt, the pet therapy program she introduced at Wontama Nursing Home is also highly valued.
But the factor they each have in common is in the way a passion or circumstance can be turned into actions with far-reaching consequences.
It’s an empowering thought when you consider that most of us have an interest, hobby or skill of our own, or a piece of knowledge we’ve picked up along the way, which can morph into something bigger and brighter if we have the courage to share it.
With a sense of scepticism often accompanying new year’s resolutions, these three OAM recipients are examples of what can happen when “I will” becomes “I do”, and they are a reminder of the opportunities this country has to offer.
