A WELL DESERVED AWARD!
John Sharwood, Chair of the Board of Kellock Lodge Alexandra and prominent Alexandrian, was awarded a Premier’s Volunteer Champion Medal at a ceremony held at Government House. The medals were presented by Jenny Mikakos, Minister for Early Childhood Education and Youth Affairs, in the Andrews Government on Sunday 11 September.
John has had two careers. The first career was as a pharmacist at Mitcham. Once settled into this career, He embarked on the second one, voluntary work. In 1964 he was a foundation member of the Mitcham Rotary Club. He became Chairman of the local Chamber of Commerce for two years. He served as the vicar’s warden at Christchurch, Mitcham and ran the Young Anglican’s Fellowship. He also served on the Board of Tintern College. There were numerous other voluntary positions in which he was involved before his retirement to Alexandra.
John joined the Kellock Board in 2002 and has held the position of Deputy Chairman, becoming Chairman in 2011. Over the last 7 years, John oversaw Kellock’s expansion to 50 beds and a $4.5 million rebuilding of outdated units and refurbishment of others. This resulted in a top class establishment. It is axiomatic that grass cannot grow under John’s feet because since 1991 he joined the Yarck Rural Fire Brigade and became Chair of the Brigade. He received an Emergency Services Medal for his contribution to the 2009 Black Saturday fires. He is Chairman of the Home Creek/Spring Creek Landcare Group, having been in it for 27 years. He is also the trustee/secretary curator and gardener, but not a resident of the Cathkin Cemetery.
How does he do it? John has served and still serves in numerous roles, with a friendly, pleasant and willing manner. He seems to have inexhaustible energy and drive. He has never shrunk from life. He has stepped out, grabbed life with both hands and succeeded in every endeavour whilst enriching whichever community he lived in.
Well done, John. You are an outstanding member of our community. You have never sought public recognition for your invaluable voluntary work and you richly deserve this award.
Photo: John and Pam Sharwood with Craig Lapsley, Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner at the awards at Government House, Melbourne.