Bob Porter of Arcadia Vale said it was “quite unexpected” to be included on the Australia Day Honours list for doing something that comes so naturally to him.
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Mr Porter, a former mechanical engineer at Munmorah Power Station, was awarded the medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the general division, for his service to the community.
Mr Porter’s contributions have been spread across several organisations including Wangi District Workers Club, the theatre group Catalina Players, and sporting clubs such as Westlakes Junior Soccer Club and The Entrance Rugby Union Club.
He has also volunteered at many big events including the World Masters Games, in Sydney, in 2009; the International Children's Games, in Lake Macquarie, in 2014; and the World Netball Championships, in Sydney, in 2015.
“I’m very gratified and honoured that the sort of things I’ve been doing as second nature are regarded by the authorities to be seen of sufficient merit to warrant an award such as this,” Mr Porter said.
“I’ve been an outgoing person all my life, and I’ve got a lot of enjoyment out of doing the things I’ve now been recognised for.”
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Mr Porter said his work for the community had brought him much satisfaction.
“My commitment to the Wangi Workers Club is probably of the longest duration,” he said.
Mr Porter is a life member of the club, has been a director since 1984, and is in the middle of his second stint as treasurer.
He has overseen the diversification of the club’s business model which has seen it take on Summerhill Park, the transportable home village in Wangi Wangi, and Wangi Shores Retirement Village, which is under construction.
“I’ve been pretty active in that development, and it’s rewarding to see the club succeed in a difficult environment.”
Mr Porter is also a life member, and former president of Catalina Players, the amateur theatre group whose annual theatre-restaurant productions have, since 1984, raised more than $250,000 for needy local causes.
“I’d like to think I’ve left a mark I can be grateful for, and proud of,” he said. “That has been acknowledged by life memberships, and this OAM adds to that.”
