General News
25 January, 2025
Volunteering, sense of community at the forefront for Murtoa's latest OAM
Murtoa's Gwendoline Blandthorn awarded OAM for service to the town.
A long-time member of several organisations, Murtoa's Gwendoline Blandthorn continues to give up her time in the town.
Mrs Blandthorn, 85, was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her services to Murtoa.
"It's a bit too unreal. I think it is a great honour," Mrs Blandthorn said.
Originally from Birchip, Mrs Blandthorn arrived in Murtoa from Swan Hill in February of 1973 after he husband Ernie moved for work.
"When you go to a small town, I think it's good if you can join a few of the organisations," she said.
"It gets you get to meet people and things like that."
It only took a few weeks before Mrs Blandthorn was helping the community.
"One of the locals came in, welcomed us and so forth, and then she said, 'We're very short on help for the catering at the races... Would you be able to come and help cut some sandwiches?'," she said.
"I think it was only two weeks later I started at the swimming pool, and I've been there ever since."
Mrs Blandthorn has been involved with organisations, including as a volunteer driver for the Yarriambiack Shire Council, Murtoa Agricultural and Pastoral Society, blind auxiliary, Red Cross and Girl Guides.
She still volunteers in the town's op shop two days a week.
"If you don't join in and try and help, things go downhill. You've got to support and keep things going," Mrs Blandthorn said.
Mrs Blandthorn has received life membership of the blind auxiliary and Red Cross, while she holds a 1988 citizenship award from the Shire of Dunmunkle as an important achievement.
"I've still got that [award], it was great," she said.
In 2023, she was awarded a life membership of the Murtoa Show, where Mrs Blandthorn had spent years on the show's committee.
She was also a member of the ladies' pavilion, coordinating the judging and floral art steward.
"We get all the older ones come back every year for the show, and they just love it," she said.
"They just come back and sit there and talk for the afternoon, and they catch up with everybody again.
"If you've got no volunteers, in time the show just finishes. There are quite a few of these smaller shows around here that have finished now because you can't get anybody that volunteers to work."
Current Agricultural and Pastoral Society secretary Emma Hamilton was thrilled to see Mrs Blandthorn recognised.
"It's just nice to see someone local recognised for their commitment to the community," Mrs Hamilton said
"We all adore her. She's motivating, and she's one of the reasons why I think we love the show is we see the passion for the show.
"We see this older generation there and how passionate they are about it, and you can't help but rub off on you."
Mrs Gwendoline Blandthorn
Murtoa Swimming pool (formerly Murtoa baths)
Committee member ladies auxiliary, 1973-2022
Former treasurer, ladies auxiliary
Volunteer, Op Shop since the 1990's
Former volunteer caterer
Murtoa Agricultural and Pastoral Society
Committee member since the early 2000's
Former flower and floral art steward
Life member, 2023
Murtoa Mechanics and Free Library Incorporated
Former member, committee of management
Catering coordinator, 1980-2010
Other roles
Former office bearer, Murtoa Golf Club
Former committee member, Murtoa floral art group
Former member, women's committee, Murtoa Fire Brigade and Country Fire Authority
Former girl guide leader, Murtoa Girl Guides
Former volunteer, Meals on Wheels, Murtoa region
Lifew member and former volunteer, The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind
Former volunteer driver, Yarriambiack Shire Council
Former member, parent committee/canteen volunteer Murtoa Primary and Secondary school's
Former office bearer, Murtoa Netball Club