RETIREMENT DREAM COMES TRUE

CRUNCHING numbers formed much of Barrie Provan’s working life.

So it is only natural that in his spare time, he gave many community group calculators a good thrashing.

Mr Provan (pictured) has received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to the community of Queenscliff.

His link to the Bellarine community started from the purchase of a holiday home in 1968 and the accountant permanently relocated in 1994, after his retirement.

“It’s a great community and it was always the dream when I was working up in Melbourne to be based here and get involved in a few things,” he said.

He has served at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home for two decades, worked as trea- surer and accountant for Lowther Hall Grammar School for many years and was honorary treasurer for The Mission to Seamen.

However, a role that has brought him a great deal of satisfaction in recent times has been that of an elder with the Queenscliff-Point Lonsdale Uniting Church.

“It’s not just a church — it’s really blended into the wider community,” Mr Provan said.

“There used to be a view that church was just a thing for Sundays but there’s so many community events and uses now, which is fantastic.”

The owner of historic Suma Park keeps an interest in golf and tennis although at 82, he admits he’s “not a spring chicken”.

“Sport has been a big part of my life and it’s something that brings the community together,” Mr Provan said.