Good on you, Johnsie

It is hard to put a value on the time and effort some people spend trying to encourage or promote their communities.

‘Priceless’ perhaps is the only term that comes close to truly reflecting what it means to be lucky enough to have individuals in our community who go ‘above and beyond’ to make things happen.

The sudden death of former Horsham mayor Don Johns prompted some of us to take a moment to reflect on people who voluntarily place themselves at society’s coalface.

Don Johns, OAM, overflowed with passion for what he thought was good for Horsham district and made no apologies for pursuing results – at any level.

He truly believed in promoting projects that were of benefit to his hometown and never tired, right up to suddenly becoming ill, of trying to turn an idealistic project or idea into reality.

‘Johnsie’ could be as intense as he was genial and encouraging. His at times zealous approach could be both polarising and annoying.

But he never wavered from an ultimate desire to improve and promote life in Horsham and the Wimmera.

Don Johns was as busy in the community when away from Horsham council as he was when he debated issues in the chamber. While he is far from alone in dedicating much of his life to being a regional community advocate, it takes a rare type of person to envelop themselves in society with such intensity.

He wanted to make a difference to Horsham life and his influence was so profound he almost became larger than life. People seeing his image repeatedly in the media often shook their head while referring to him as ‘Mr Horsham’.

Many Wimmera, Mallee and Grampians towns and centres have similar unique people within their ranks.

As these people age and become part of the community furniture, we can become guilty of having a blasé approach to them and take them for granted.

The truth is such community dedication doesn’t grow on trees and commands the greatest of respect.

We must cherish people willing to move and shake or consolidate the establishment and happily put Don Johns forward as an example of a true community representative.