The Medal of the Order of Australia was awarded to Kingston resident Patricia Ratsch in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list announced on Monday. It was awarded for her service to the community through a range of organisations.

They include the Australian Red Cross Community Passenger Network, St John Ambulance, Kingston Bowling Club, Kingston Retirement Village and the Lions Club of Kingston. Ms Ratsch was Deputy Chairman of the South East Region Health Board from 2001-2003 and served for seven years as a community representative on the Kingston Hospital Board.

Other interests have been the Kingston community library, Kingston Kindergarten and serving as the chair of the Lighthouse Lodge Board. She was the joint winner of the Kingston Australia Day Citizen of the Year in 2009.