General News
10 February, 2025
Dimboola's Wheelbarrow Lady now OAM
For more than 60 years Jan Ballard has looked after Dimboola's garden beds – now she has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the Australia Day Honours List for her service to the community.
"I think there are other people more worthy than me to receive it," Ms Ballard said.
She grew up on a farm before moving to Dimboola when she married her husband, Bill, 62 years ago.
"Dimboola has always been my home town," Ms Ballard said.
"I love Dimboola – it will always be home."
After retiring from Dimboola Day Centre one day, Ms Ballard took notice of the town's streescape and decided to do something about it.
"It was looking shabby so I just did it," she said.
And from then on, she became known as the Wheelbarrow Lady, tidying up bushes and planting trees, taking good care of the garden beds around town.
Ms Ballard was lucky enough to receive the Dame Phyllis Frost Award, a Tidy Towns award given to an outstanding participant whose contribution has had a significant sustainability impact on the community.
She also helped Dimboola to win a Tidy Towns award in 2019.
Dimboola Progress Association Inc president Kaylene Pietsch said Ms Ballard receiving an OAM had been "a progressive thing" for the organisation.
"I think it's taken over three years to put things in place and we think it's very deserving of Jan for this award," she said.
"If you look around at every garden bed in the town Jan Ballard has been all of this and more, always head down.
"Whenever she wanted something done by Hindmarsh Shire, Jan would put it forward, and Jan got what she wanted."
Ms Ballard's achievement will always be remembered with a plaque and a steel artwork permanently placed on the corner of Lloyd and Lochiel streets.
The plaque reads: "This sculpture is dedicated to Jan Ballard 'The Wheelbarrow Lady' in recognition of her tireless work to make and keep Dimboola a Tidy and Beautiful town".
She said she was blown away by the Australia Day surprise, leaving her at a loss for words.
"It was very unexpected," Ms Ballard said.
"Thank you to everyone involved."
She said volunteer work was "well worthwhile" and she encouraged anyone to get involved with the town.
"You get a great deal of satisfaction out of it," Ms Ballard said.
"Don't be afraid to speak up for what you want."