Ian ‘repaying a debt’

Warracknabeal’s latest Order of Australia Medal recipient believes his long list of volunteer contributions are simply repaying a debt to a community that’s given him ‘so much’.

Ian Penny, officially recognised on Sunday as part of Australia Day celebrations, has a long and diverse connection to the wheatbelt region.

He has previously been president and councillor on former Warracknabeal Shire Council; a member, including a stint as president, of Warracknabeal Rotary Club since 2006; and is a life member and on the management board at Woodbine disability service.

Mr Penny has also been part of both Sheep Hills and Warracknabeal school councils, president of Victorian Farmers Federation Sheep Hills branch, and played cricket at Boolite Cricket Club from the age of 11 to 48.

More recently, he was Yarriambiack Shire’s Citizen of the Year for 2018.

Mr Penny said any spare minute was an opportunity to get involved, a philosophy he encouraged other people to adopt.

“As far as community organisations go, I think that’s what makes a community so great to live in,” he said.

“They are what makes it a better place to live and makes a community tick. Here in Warracknabeal there are that many community groups, and it’s so amazing.

“So, I’d encourage anybody and everybody, if they have a spare minute, to join a committee for something that they’re passionate about.”

Mr Penny said he moved to Warracknabeal with his wife Lorraine about 14 years ago, from a property just north-east of Sheep Hills.

“We always intended to live in Warracknabeal

at some stage when the right house came up,” he said.

“And that house came up a little bit sooner than we intended, but we bought it.

“It’s been really good, especially for Lorraine, because she can drop in and see friends easily and have a coffee, which wouldn’t really happen so much when you live 20 minutes out on a farm.”

Mr Penny said his family was pivotal in him being able to be so heavily involved in his community.

“I guess nobody has the opportunity to do things in the community without the support of their family,” he said.

“And I’ve been very lucky to have the support of Lorraine for 50 years, as well as our four boys.”

Mr Penny said he was humbled to become a Member of the Order of Australia.

“It’s certainly an honour. It’s not something I ever dreamt I would get,” he said.