WWII veteran Graeme Pettigrew honoured with Order of Australia Medal

A Buderim great-grandfather’s lifetime of service ranging from World War II to supporting homicide victims has been recognised with an Order of Australia Medal.

‘Unsung hero’ Buderim great-grandad Graeme Pettigrew, 98, has been awarded with an Order of Australia Medal.

As an 18-year-old Graeme Pettigrew volunteered to protect Australians in World War II.

What followed was a lifetime of dedicated service to community, now recognised in an Order of Australia Medal.

Mr Pettigrew, 98, was shocked to hear the news and had plans of celebrating with “a cup of Dilmah tea” surrounded by family.

Mr Pettigrew’s selfless service began in 1943 when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force and rose to the rank of Warrant Officer, serving until the end of the war.

Graeme Pettigrew enlisted to the Royal Australian Air Force in 1943.

He saw active service in the Pacific and overseas with allied forces in the Philippines, returning home to civilian life with medals including the Pacific Star and the Philippine Liberation Medal.

After moving to the Sunshine Coast in 1947 the now grandfather of six and great-grandfather of two married his wife Edith in 1948 and raised their three children.

After the death of his eldest daughter Olveene Kelly in a homicide in 1992, Mr Pettigrew assisted in establishing a Brisbane base for the Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group who he continues to support.

He used his family’s experience to create a refuge home in Lutwyche for those grieving the loss of their loved-ones.

Mr Pettigrew was instrumental in improving Queensland Police Service protocols when working with homicide impacted families, and started a detective training program.

Graeme Pettigrew pictured with his great-grandson.

“We would not lecture, but talk to police about what it was like to be a victim,” he said.

“When the officers returned to their hometowns, they … knew how to handle grieving people and we did that, and they are still doing it.”

He said assisting police to understand how to approach grieving families was a solace amid his family’s loss.

Mr Pettigrew served as a Justice of the Peace for more than 60 years and helped preserve history for 30 years as a member and now patron of the Bli Bli and Maroochy Historical Society.

With a passion for historical cars, Mr Pettigrew was a founding member of the Sunshine Coast Antique Car Club in 1967.

Graeme Pettigrew pictured with his daughter Bronwyn Anderson and son-in-law Ross Anderson.

Club president Lyall Exelby said Mr Pettigrew helped create new clubs for enthusiasts in Gympie and Kingaroy.

“His participation in club events is as strong today as it was in the beginning,” Mr Exelby said.

Mr Pettigrew’s Grandson Michael Kelly who nominated the Buderim resident for the honour said a conversation about those not lucky enough to receive recognition for their service led him to placing the application.

“I thought there is a shining example of an unsung hero who has devoted their life to others,” he said.

Mr Kelly said he was overjoyed the nomination was successful.

“I had several tears … I’m so happy that he gets that recognition,” he said.