HARDEN couple Pat and Carmel Brown have made an impressive team for many years. They recently celebrated 50 years of marriage; in 2000 they were both recognised as Harden Shire Council’s Citizens of the Year, and on Monday they both were awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.
The accolades were awarded to Pat and Carmel as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours, recognising their many years of service to local government, health and sporting groups. Carmel has been on the Hospital Auxiliary for 30 years (and is the current President), the View Club for 30 years, has been part of Meals on Wheels for 17 years as well as being a member of the Health Advisory Council of the Hospital. Pat and Carmel were part of the Hospital board at different times, with Pat spending a number of years on the board and Carmel was on the board when it was disbanded.
The couple also played an active roll in helping to get the Harden Picnic Race Club (HPRC) off the ground in 1980. Pat served as President until 2004 and Carmel as Treasurer from 1996 until 2004. The early years of the HPRC involved a lot of hard work but it’s something they are both very proud of. Their efforts were recognised when they were both awarded life membership of the club.
Pat has been part of local government for over 25 years with eight years spent as Shire President. He first became involved with the Harden Shire council in 1973 to oppose the plans for the construction of the new Shire offices in Harden. “It was planned as a massive two-storey building that was going to cost millions”, he said. The years spent as Shire President were back in the days before the system of Mayor/General Manager came into play, with the President filling the role of chief executive and the Shire Clerk as the chief administrator. “We could get things done in those days”, Pat said. Getting the saleyards built, the housing development in Smith St and the planting of trees along the Barwang and Cunningar entrance roads and securing the employment of Dr Datoo and Dr Khalfan were just some of the many highlights of the job. One of his greatest achievements was being involved with the building of the Abattoirs. And when the Shire owned facility was in financial trouble Pat helped to secure the deal to sell to Tancred’s Meats. “A lot of work went into the abattoirs and one of the saddest days of my life was to see it pulled apart and sold” he said.
Being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia was something the couple didn’t expect. “It was a surprise to us. You don’t do it for the recognition.” Pat said. “You get an awful lot of satisfaction doing something that benefits the community and doing what you can to ensure essential services like the Hospital are kept in town and maintained to a high standard” Carmel said.
The recognition for their work was even more special because they both received their honours at the same time. “It’s great that we both got it. It’s probably a bit unusual for a couple to receive awards at the same time”, Pat said.
Pat and Carmel will travel to Canberra in October or November to the Governor Generals house to accept their Medal of the Order of Australia.