SOUTHERN Grampians Shire Councillor Mary-Ann Brown has been recognised in the King’s Birthday 2024 Honours List receiving an Order of Australia (OAM).

 Cr Brown was recognised for her service to local government, and to the communities of Dunkeld and Hamilton.

“It is a real honour,” she said.

“But it’s also humbling as well because there is a process - people nominate you.

“When I put my hand up (to volunteer on committees) receiving an award is not what I’m thinking about at the time.

“I see (serving the community) as an opportunity to make a contribution to the community I live and work in.”

“It’s really important that our communities are well supported.”

She said it was also about the people you meet, and the friendships made.

“The great people along the way and the friendships that you form as well as what you’re involved in, and that makes a difference to our community.

“We are so fortunate to have lots of volunteers that make our communities much better places to live.”

Cr Brown expressed gratitude to her support network.

“I’ve been fortunate to have support around me - you don’t achieve these things by yourself,” she said.

“I’ve had good family support - it’s often a juggling act.”

In her voluntary life, Cr Brown started out as a member and one time president of the Bandicoot Burrow Toy Library and president of the Hamilton Little Athletics. The list of organisations and committees has grown with the multitude of roles she has undertaken over many decades serving as testament to her community orientated spirit.

“I think that it’s an opportunity to make a difference,” she said.

“If you want things to happen in your community then you need to be part of it.”

Although at present being on Council takes up most of Cr Brown’s time, she still serves as a volunteer in many other roles including at the Dunkeld and Grampians Visitor Information Centre at least four times per month.

“I’ve been volunteering there for 30 years,” she said.

“It’s probably one of the best volunteer gigs going because you’re meeting people that are on holidays - they’re always really happy, and you don’t have to go to any meetings.

“The other thing is you’re always learning new things about where you live.”

Cr Brown is also a member of the Hamilton Performing Arts Centre advisory committee, she is presently chairperson of the Sterling Place Dunkeld Community Centre - a committee she has been on since 2008, she is presently chair of the Dunkeld Writers Festival Committee, and is a member of the Dunkeld Tourism Committee.

She is also presently the chairperson of Rural Councils Victoria since 2019 and committee member since 2016 and is a member of Barwon South Regional Development Australia as well as a past member of the board of Western District Health Service, 2002-2015 and served as chair between 2008-2015, and is presently chair of the service’s MRI steering committee.

Cr Brown has also served as past president and secretary of the Dunkeld Progress Association.

She has also been a strong advocate of gender equality, particularly female representation on council.

“The state government established an advisory committee on gender equity and the objective was to get around 50 per cent council representation by 2024,” Cr Brown said.

“I think we’re sitting at about 40 per cent.

“At Southern Grampians Shire Council we’ve got four women - that’s a majority so that’s a change.

“I’d really encourage women to think about standing because it’s really good to have that diversity of perspective around the table.”

Cr Brown said serving as chair on the Rural Council Victoria’s board was a particularly rewarding role.

“I’ve really enjoyed being in that role,” she said.

“It’s about getting positive stories out about rural communities, of which there are many.

“Rural communities are really important, and they should be supported, and I want to speak up on their behalf.”

Cr Brown said this was her final year after being on Council for eight years including for a year as mayor.

“That’s two consecutive terms,” she said.

“I think it’s time that someone else had a go.

“It’s a challenging role but it can be very rewarding.”