Passion and dedication sees Stanthorpe residents Liz Bourne and Bill Humble receive Medal of the Order of Australia

While they might not be Stanthorpe born and bred, the dedicated efforts in the community of two stalwarts has earnt them a Medal of the Order of Australia. See their humble responses here.

The Governor-General has recognised more than 1000 Australians for their impact at local, national and international levels.

Two of those well deserving recipients call the Granite Belt their home and are household names in the Stanthorpe community.

Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Bourne and William ‘Bill’ Humble grew up with a dream to make a difference in the world, a dream they’ve both achieved in their time living in their adopted home of the Granite Belt.

The invaluable Stanthorpe community members are this year’s recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) general division, formally recognising their years of dedication and hard work in the community.

Despite their unassuming nature, both individually have a long list of achievements and are by no means strangers to the Stanthorpe community.

Longstanding Stanthorpe resident Liz Bourne has received the Order of Australia Medal for her dedication to orienteering, conservation and the environment.

Mrs Bourne moved to the Granite Belt region in 1996 with her husband, happy to escape from the noise and clutter of Brisbane city.

“I always had a dream to move to the bush, and I’d tell people I’d be living in the bush by the time I was 40,” Mrs Bourne said.

“We bought our property when I was 40, but didn’t quite shift until a little later on.

“I’ve been very lucky that I’ve been able to achieve that dream.”

Awarded to highlight her service to orienteering, conservation and the environment, Mrs Bourne reflected on some of the major changes the conservation movement has seen since she first joined in the 1970s.

“Back in the days where there weren’t strong government agencies, and in the case of Queensland, we didn’t even have an environment department when I was first involved,” she said.

“It very much fell on individuals and community groups to fight to protect important areas.

“What’s been encouraging now is the environment is very much a major political issue and governments are putting more resources into protecting it with stronger legislation.”

Helping to achieve the implementation of stronger conservation measures for national landmarks is something that’s been most rewarding for Mrs Bourne.

Ingrained with a deep love for the natural environment from a young age, Mrs Bourne hoped future generations would one day follow in her footsteps.

“If you care about something then it is your responsibility to try and protect it, not to sit back and let someone else do it,” she said.

“I guess they need to find something that’s achievable for them and there’s lots you can do at a local (government) level.”

ON THE TRACK: Liz Bourne at the Australian Orienteering Championships help for a week in September, 2015. Photo Contributed

Another of Mrs Bourne’s most proud achievements and what that’s close to home is her lifelong involvement in orienteering.

From roles both in the sport and at an administration level, it’s a passion that’s gone hand-in-hand with her devotion to the environment.

“I hope there too that I’ve been able to make a contribution to develop the sport and help it grow throughout Australia,” she said.

“It’s kept me occupied, I keep saying to people that I’ll never die of boredom.”

Bill Humble OAM has been involved with many of Stanthorpe’s community groups and organisations, and is an inaugural member of the Granite Belt Small Winemakers Association.

Mr Humble, who moved to Australia from northern England in the late 60s, dedicated his award to all volunteers.

“I’m just one of many (volunteers), it’s a group effort,” he said.

Mr Humble has had a wide involvement in many of Stanthorpe’s community groups from the Agricultural Society, Rotary Club, a founding member of Sugarloaf Rural Fire Brigade and so much more.

Bill said he’s always held the philosophy of helping those in need and has thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.

“It’s so exciting and rewarding to help out others,” he said.

Much like his name, Mr Humble was overwhelmed to be nominated to be formally recognised for his contributions to the Stanthorpe community.

In 2012, Mr Humble was recognised and awarded Stanthorpe’s Citizen of the Year.

His contributions to the Rural Fire Service began in the late 60s and saw him receive the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Diligent and Ethical Service Medal in 2016.

FOR THE COMMUNITY: Roni Bau, James Massey and Bill Humble received the Diligent and Ethical Service Medal for their service over many years to protect the community. Photo Dane Lillingstone / Border Post

Mr Humble said he was encouraged that the future generations would step up to the mark and follow in his footsteps to continue giving back to the community and going into bat for those in need.

The Australia Day civic ceremony will be held at Stanthorpe Civic Centre at 4pm on Friday, January 26.