General News
14 June, 2024
National recognition
A CAMPERDOWN stalwart has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia as part of the King’s Birthday Honours List for his dedication to serving the Camperdown community.
Camperdown CFA Brigade secretary, treasurer and communications officer Bernie Sinnott OAM was among 737 Australians recognised on Monday.
The Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) is awarded for service worthy of particular recognition.
The Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement in a variety of fields.
Mr Sinnott OAM said he was “humbled” to receive the award.
“I didn’t expect it, and I didn’t do all the volunteer work to be rewarded for it,” he said.
“I was more than happy to do the work for the betterment of the town of Camperdown.
“It was certainly a great honour to receive the award.”
Mr Sinnott OAM has been recognised locally in the past for his volunteering efforts, receiving an Australia Day Award for Services to the Community in 2009 and being named Citizen of the Year in 2011 by the Corangamite Shire Council.
He has also been recognised by the Rotary Club of Camperdown, who bestowed the Vocational Service Award to him in 2000 for his community service.
A proud Camperdown resident, Mr Sinnott OAM has worked ‘pro-bono’ for a variety of community incorporated associations such as Camperdown Horse Trials Incorporated, where he worked as a public officer.
He said his dedication to the Camperdown community was part of his family legacy.
“The Sinnotts have been associated the town of Camperdown for over 100 years,” Mr Sinnott OAM said.
“My grandfather was a road maker, my uncle was the mayor, and my cousin and I both served on the council.
“We always felt that you only get out of the town what you put back in, so I was prepared to put a heap in to make it a better place for everyone to enjoy.”
As well as being awarded a life membership for his beloved Camperdown CFA brigade in 2012, Mr Sinnott OAM is also a life governor of the Camperdown Hospital and has served as treasurer on the board of Sunnyside House Aged Care facility for 12 years.
His true passion, however, has always been the CFA since he joined as a member in 1973.
In his 51 years with the brigade, Mr Sinnott OAM has been named Fireman of the Year seven times, most recently in 2020, and recognised for his service in 1992 with a National Service Medal.
He has dedicated more than 30 years to the Camperdown Group of Fire Brigades, where he currently serves as the group communications officer.
The group of 10 brigades includes the Camperdown, Chocolyn, Bookaar, Tesbury, Terang, Dixie, Weerite, Stonyford, Pomborneit and Boorcan brigades.
When awarded the Chief Officers Commendation for Service Medal in 2016, the chief executive officer of the time claimed it would be “difficult to identify a more dedicated and loyal CFA member” than Mr Sinnott OAM.
His love of the CFA brigade is not outdone by his dedication to community sport – he is a member of the football netball club, the golf club, the basketball association, the cricket club and the cycling club.
This includes being a member of the Camperdown Golf Club committee of management for close to 20 years, as well as serving as the president, secretary and president while playing for the Camperdown Football Netball Club.
Mr Sinnott OAM’s dedication to sport was recognised in 2012 when he was awarded the Rick Scroggie Memorial Award for his services to sport.
When receiving the OAM, Mr Sinnott said expressed his gratitude to his wife of 48 years Terri Sinnott.
“Terri has encouraged and supported me in all my aspirations and endeavors and on many occasions, Terri has been the one to make things happen, yet never the one to put herself on the front line,” he said.
“The best secretary and cook you could ever ask for.
“I am also fortunate to have a close circle of family and friends and without their support this honour would not have been awarded to me.”
Mr Sinnott OAM said he wanted to recognise the work of other volunteers in the community.
“I am only one of the army of volunteers in Camperdown and district, and I accept the award as your representative,” he said.
“I say to you all keep up the good work for the future generations of the town.”
