A legend of the Orford community was honoured with an Order of Australia medal last month.
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A long-time and valued resident of Geeveston and later Glamorgan Spring Bay, ninety-three-year-old Beth Bennett was officially recognised for her services to both communities on Australia Day.
Mrs Bennett lived in Orford for 42 years, serving on an extensive number of boards, committees and councils before relocating to Victoria last year to be closer to her daughters.
Glamorgan Spring Bay community development officer Lona Turvey said Mrs Bennett's contribution to the community could not be overstated.
“Beth’s lifetime contribution to the community is both a testament to her commitment and her character and makes her Order of Australia 2017 very well-deserved,” Mrs Turvey said.
“When Beth was asked to comment on her award she stated that she was humbled by the recognition for the award and enjoyed her community work and found she was good at it.”
Mrs Bennett spent 10 years as a Glamorgan Spring Bay councillor between 1980 and 1990, was named Spring Bay Citizen of the Year in 1990 and was a Tasmanian finalist for Senior Australian of the Year in 2008.
Mrs Bennett was not the only Glamorgan Spring Bay resident to win plaudits on Australia Day, with two Swansea residents collecting major awards at council’s January 26 celebrations at the Swansea Town Hall.
Col Barney was named Citizen of the Year in recognition for hundreds of hours worth of volunteering, while Katelyn Read was named Young Citizen of the Year for her contributions to ambulance services, Glamorgan Spring Bay Little Athletics, Swansea Football Club and the East Coast Crusaders Police and Community Youth Club.
Glamorgan Spring Bay mayor Michael Kent said both awards had been richly deserved.
“With people like our Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year we can look confidently to the future,” Cr Kent said.
The ceremony also saw the unveiling of a new honours board, which recognises every winner of the region’s Australia Day Awards since the council was formed in 1993.