Community commitment

NOT many Tasmanians have given back to the state in the way that Queen’s Birthday Honours recipient Robert “Biddy” Badenach AM has.

Today Mr Badenach has been honoured for his significant service to yachting and Australian Rules football.

The 75-year-old grandfather is a former commodore of the Royal Tasmanian Yacht Club of Tasmania and a State League umpire who refereed for 18 seasons, including three TFL Grand Finals.

He is still works as a practising solicitor for Murdoch Clarke Lawyers, where he has worked for the past 50 years.

Mr Badenach also spent years as the finish-line co-ordinator for the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

For the past 40 years he has helped co-ordinate the Bream Creek Show as the event’s patron.

Through his time with the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania he organised an annual cancer fundraiser picnic for and Camp Quality. Mr Badenach said his Queen’s Birthday honour today was a humbling acknowledgment for his work in the Tasmanian community.

“I’m very thrilled and humbled by it all,” he said.

“When I take these tasks on, I don’t do it for the rewards and accolades.

“I need to thank my family for all the support over the years. They’ve been tremendous backers for me and dealt well when I would come home wound up game.”

Mr Badenach’s son Charles said his father was a worthy recipient.

“He’s one of those sort of guys who is really committed to making the community a better place,” he said.

“He does the things he does because he genuinely enjoys it, not for the recognition, but this honour is certainly a nice bonus for a deserving man.” after umpiring a