Pamela recognised for community work
Warragul woman Pamela Mawson was awarded an Order of Australia Medal yesterday for her contributions to a range of community organisations.
From the Country Women’s Association and Royal Agricultural Society to the St Kilda Football Club, Ms Mawson has dedicated her time to the organisations she is passionate about.
While Ms Mawson is a local, she has spent much of her time in Melbourne since 2021, serving as state president of the Country Women’s Association.
She has been a member of the association for 23 years, serving various club roles with Woodleigh branch and also Bass Group president from 2011-2013.
Among her many commitments to the CWA was chair of the creative arts committee for two years.
Before retirement Ms Mawson was a primary school teacher.
She also is a long-serving member of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, being a senior member of the Melbourne Royal art, craft and cookery committee for 10 years. She also has been a trainer of judges and stewards since 2013 and is a former craft steward and judge.
A passionate St Kilda supporter, Ms Mawson has been a club member since 1989, was awarded life membership in 2012 and was president of the club’s cheer squad for 10 years from 1999-2009.
Ms Mawson came to Australia from England in 1974, first living in Shepparton, but later moved to Nyora in 2002 and then to Warragul.
While living in Nyora, Ms Mawson was an owner of PJs Takeaway Shop and enjoyed being involved in the community.
While she never set out to be CWA state president, Ms Mawson said she initially joined the organisation to connect with the wider community.
She had spent 12 years on CWA state councils, as club committee, club chair, state vice president and deputy vice president before being elected into her current role.
Ms Mawson said she was thrilled about receiving an OAM, calling it “a very big honour”.
She is looking forward to spending more time at home in Warragul when her term as state president comes to an end this year.
“I love Warragul...it is not really in the country but it is still rural. You get to know your neighbours.”
Ms Mawson does not know who nominated her for the award, but said she was “very grateful.”
“It is very nice to be recognised for doing something you enjoy,” she said.