By LOTTE REITER
Warracknabeal’s latest Order of Australia Medal recipient believes his long list of volunteer contributions are simply repaying a debt to a community that’s given him ‘so much’.
Ian Penny, officially recognised on Sunday as part of Australia Day celebrations, has a long and diverse connection to the wheatbelt region.
He has previously served as president and councillor on former Warracknabeal Shire Council; been a member, including a stint as president, of Warracknabeal Rotary Club since 2006; and is a life member and on the board of management at Woodbine disability service.
Mr Penny has also been part of both Sheep Hills and Warracknabeal school councils, president of Victorian Farmers Federation Sheep Hills branch, and played cricket at Boolite Cricket Club from the age of 11 to 48.
More recently, he was Yarriambiack Shire’s Citizen of the Year for 2018.
Mr Penny said any spare minute was an opportunity to get involved, a philosophy he encouraged other people to adopt.
“As far as community organisations go, I think that’s what makes a community so great to live in,” he said.