Mr Donald Fraser DUFFY
Pakenham Upper
For service to horse racing and to the community of Pakenham.
A PASSION for community is what inspires Don Duffy to volunteer.
The Pakenham identity has maintained a strong involvement with the Pakenham Racing Club since 1993 and has held the position of chairman for the past 12 years.
In that time, he’s played an integral role in the transformation of the club.
“We were a small country racing club racing on the old site in Pakenham, holding 11 race meetings a year,” he said.
“Now, we’re out a new track and holding over 40 meetings each year. It’s very different club to what it was back then.”
His association with the organisation began after he was approached by the late David Burke, who served as secretary at the club for four decades.
“He approached me and asked me to join the committee.
“I didn’t have any involvement in racing, but we were on the Agricultural and Horticultural Society together and he invited me to come across.”
Mrs Joan VOGELS
Pakenham
For service to youth through the Guiding movement.
JOAN Vogels jokes that she must have ‘yes’ tattooed on her forehead.
The Pakenham resident has devoted countless hours to local groups yet graciously insists she cannot take full credit for any of her achievements.
“Nobody does anything alone,” she said.
“I’m getting this award but an awful lot of people have been involved with me.”
Joan has had a close association with the Girl Guides since she joined them as a child in 1947.
A strong believer in the benefits of Guiding for young girls, she felt it was important to give back to the organisation that had provided that foundation for her.
For the full story, pick up a copy of the Gazette on Wednesday.
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