‘Queen of Mitchell’: Governor’s praise for OAM winner

Governor Paul de Jersey presented Marvelle Kerslake with her OAM this week, and shared his admiration for the dedicated local volunteer.

His Excellency, Governor of Queensland Paul de Jersey, presented Mrs Marvelle Kerslake of Mitchell with her Order of Australia Medal at an investiture ceremony on Tuesday, June 16.

MARVELLE Kerslake’s remarkable life of volunteering in the Mitchell community is well known to locals, and now it is known to Queensland’s most high: Governor Paul de Jersey.

His excellency made the trip to Mitchell this week to present Mrs Kerslake with the prestigious Order of Australia Medal; an honour initially bestowed upon her at local Australia Day celebrations, now ratified by the presentation of her medal.

It was also the Governor’s first regional tour since COVID-19 travel restrictions were lifted, making the occasion all the more special for His Excellency, who said Mrs Kerslake is inspiring, and a true asset to her community.

“I may be the representative of Her Majesty the Queen in Queensland, but Mrs Kerslake has good claim to be the Queen of Mitchell … I am so grateful we could persist with this ceremony,” he said.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to recognise Mrs Kerslake, who is a wonderful stalwart of the Mitchell community,” he said.

“And the community would be much the less if there weren’t people like this who are prepared to put their hand up and do so many things.”

For six decades, the now 82-year-old Mrs Kerslake has generously volunteered her time – and her formidable culinary skills – to countless groups which needed a hand.

Mrs Marvelle Kerslake of Mitchell wearing her Order of Australia Medal, presented by the Governor of Queensland this week.

Mrs Kerslake has been a volunteer, an advocate, lobbyist, and a leader; the state school, fishing club, show society, Meals on Wheels group, hospital auxiliary, and so many more have benefited from her support since she moved to Mitchell along with her husband Ron in 1958.

“Ron worked for a fellow named Pat Wise, who encouraged me to start working at the school, and I have worked for the community more or less every since,” Mrs Kerslake said.

“I have been part of Meals on Wheels, I was very involved in that, being president for 12 years, and am still vice president; I have been for five years now.

“I had also been in the show committee, the (Rutland) rodeo committee, and I can’t even name them all, there has been that many.”

Family and much-loved friends from the Mitchell community attended Mrs Kerslake’s official investiture ceremony at the shire hall on Tuesday, and they even live-streamed the event to family members overseas, who wanted to be a part of the special day.

Mrs Kerslake’s daughter Brenda Jamnik swelled with pride when the Governor pinned the medal to her mother’s blouse; she said her mother, while incredibly humble, is truly deserving of the accolade.

“I am so proud of mum,” she said.

“When we were kids, if mum knew someone was struggling she would drop off a parcel of veggies from her own garden at their door; people don’t always realise how much she does, and that she still helps people even today.

“(The OAM) is something that is really warranted, and we wanted to ensure we got this done for her now.”

Marvelle Kerslake OAM, pictured with son Wes Kerslake and daughter Brenda Jamnik at Australia Day celebrations in Mitchell earlier this year.

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