OAM shock for Dimboola recipient
AWimmera recipient of Queen’s Birthday honours initially believed a notification of her award was a joke.
Beverly Hoffmann, a key figure in the foundation and development of netball in Dimboola, won recognition for her service to sport and the Dimboola community with a Medal of the Order of Australia, OAM.
Mrs Hoffmann, who considers promoting, developing and being heavily involved in community sport and general activities as a part of life, said she had been caught by surprise.
“I opened the letter and read it and thought ‘ah, this is a joke, who’s doing this?’ When my daughter came home I said ‘I’ve got a good practical joke for you’,” she said.
“My daughter said ‘what is it mum?’ I said ‘well read this letter’ and she said ‘I don’t think it’s a joke, I think it’s real’. Then I showed my son and he said ‘I think it’s real mum’.
“I couldn’t get over it because I’m simply me, nothing else.”
Mrs Hoffmann was one of five people in the region on Monday’s list.
Leo Watkins, for services to Ararat community, Karen Mcintyre, services to Lake Bolac community, Graeme Harris, for services to Donald community, and May Ferrier, for services to Birchip community, also received OAMS.
Mrs Hoffmann, despite a lifetime effort in promoting community sport, said she was unsure how she felt about her OAM.
“I feel a bit embarrassed about it. I’m proud to think someone thinks
that I deserve to have something like that – because I would never in my wildest dreams. I used to read where people got these things, but myself, no way would I ever think I would get such an award. It is an honour.
“Really, I can’t believe it is me that is getting this award. It is only little old me, I’m just Bev Hoffmann.
“I’m just doing what I think I should be doing and think there’s nothing special thing about it.”
Mrs Hoffmann’s list of achievements accompanying her award suggest otherwise. In sport she is or has been: Founding member of Dimboola Croquet Club, vice-president and member, since 2013; 1952 founding member and life member of Dimboola Netball Club; Dimboola Football Netball Club, Dimboola Football Netball Club life-member, 30 years; Wimmera Netball Association, life member; Dimboola Football Club Ladies Committee; founding member, Dimboola Basketball Association for Ladies; Wimmera Golf Association Seniors, president; Dimboola Golf Club Ladies Committee, president and secretary.
Community: Vice-president, Dimboola Probus Club; St Peter’s Anglican Church Dimboola member; treasurer, Young Members Department, Dimboola Anglican Church.
Recognition
Leolyn Watkins, Ararat Sport: Past president, secretary, sponsor and competitor and member between 1984-2012, Stawell-ararat Cross Country Club.
Community: Mount Cole Cemetery Trust; Aradale Mental Asylum, head gardener; Warrack Fire Brigade; Warrack Hall Committee; Warrack Recreation Reserve committee; Ararat Show Society committee.
Karen Mcintyre, Lake Bolac Community and sport: Founding president, Lake Bolac Development Association; founding president, Lake Bolac Information and Business Centre committee; Founding member, Lake Bolac Library; Founding member, Lake Bolac Community Bank; Mininera and District Netball Association and national representative with Wanders team; various roles, Wickliffe-lake Bolac Football Netball Club, since 1977; treasurer and committee member Lake Bolac and District Historical Society; director and farm manager, Mcintyre Agricultural Enterprises; 25-year service medal, Wickliffe CFA; former state president, Australian Young Farmers; author and editor of three Lake Bolac district books.
Graeme Harris, Donald Community and sport: Past president, Donald Football Club; Donald Chamber of Commerce and Industry member, 20 years; Donald 2000, founding member, 22 years; Donald Apex Club, life member; Donald Football Club, life member; Johnson Goodwin Aged Care Homes, board member, former board member; Donald Lions Club, former president.
May Ferrier, Birchip Community: Wirrim Branch, Country Women’s Association of Victoria, member since 1983; Birchip Uniting Church guild member.