Marilla Lowrey from Braidwood and Di Cullen from Mulloon were awarded the Medal (OAM) Of The Order Of Australia In The General Division in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List on Monday.
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Mrs Marilla LOWREY was awarded for service to refugees, and to the community of Braidwood.
Marilla is a Foundation Member of the Braidwood Branch of Rural Australians for Refugees, started in 2012, and a member of Bridge for Asylum Seekers Foundation, for many years.
She has also been a member of ‘Mahbobas Promise’ for many years and raised funds for schools, girls and women's shelters in Afghanistan.
Among her other community involvement Marilla is a supporter of Operation Christmas Child, since 2003; Membership Officer, Friendship Force, Queanbeyan Branch; Hospital and care facility visitor and patient support, ongoing; Telephone Operations, Braidwood Branch, Australian Red Cross, ongoing; Provides hospitality to isolated persons from Narbethong Hostel; Current Member, Braidwood Life Centre; providing emergency accommodation, food and fuel vouchers, spiritual and pastoral care; President, Anglican Women, Braidwood Branch; taken a range of roles including Rector’s Warden, Parish Councillor, Synod Member in the Anglican Parish of Braidwood, ongoing; Teacher's Assistant, Sunday School; Pastoral Carer, Anglicare and Braidwood Care, ongoing; Coordinator, Local Samaritan's Purse, ongoing and Coordinator, Cursillo Women's Retreat.
Mrs Dianne Elizabeth (Di) CULLEN was awarded for service to youth, particularly through pony clubs and equestrian sports.
Di is State President, Pony Club Association of New South Wales, since 2009; Pony Club Australia Delegate, since 2009; Vice-President, 2007-2008; Advisory Committee Member, since 2003; Zone Councillor, State Council, since 1994.
Involved in organising, International Mounted Games Exchange, since 2009; initiated by HRH Prince Philip and held every year rotating between Canada, Australia, Great Britain and the United States of America; NSW Team Manager and Representative, Pony Club Australia National Championships, Perth 2013; also involved in fundraising $20,000 to allow team to attend; Vice-President, Zone 16, Pony Club Association of New South Wales, since 2010; Zone Chief Instructor, 1994-2013, organising and running schools for both riders and instructors, and organising and programming Zone 16 camps for 200 riders for the last 18 years; Zone Delegate, since 2009; Involved in establishing, Zone 27, Pony Club Association of New South Wales.
Di has been Chief Instructor, Zone 21 Pony Club Association of New South Wales, for 4 years; Member, Bungendore Pony Club, since 1994; Member, Kambah Pony Club, 1988-1993; also served as Committee Member, Senior Instructor and Zone Delegate; Member, Moss Vale Pony Club, 1986-1987; involved in fundraising to build clubhouse Lamington Lodge; Foundation Member, Coleambally Pony Club, 1975-1986; also served as Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Instructor, Secretary, Senior Instructor, Club Delegate and Zone Delegate; Chief Horse Steward, Bungendore Pastoral, Agricultural and Horticultural Society, 2000 2006.
Previously Di has been awarded with the Australian Sports Medal, 2000, and New South Wales Sports Federation Distinguished Long Service Award, 2012.
Among the list of 783 Australians to be honoured by the nation the recipients will attend investitures in the coming months to receive the insignia of their awards, as approved by the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), Chancellor of the Order of Australia.
Chair of the Council of the Order, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston AC AFC (Retd), said the awards recognise service across a broad range of endeavours.
“They are public recognition of people who provide outstanding community service and whose achievements enhance national identity," Air Chief Marshal Houston (Retd) said.
“By their actions they demonstrate the qualities of positive role models. The recipients are not only worthy of respect but encourage emulation. These awards also recognise the ‘quiet achievers’ in our midst. They are people who serve the community, but do not seek accolades.