Graham Carter received an Order of Australia Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours over the June long weekend for his service to the community of Mount Gambier.
Mr Carter grew up in Lucindale, volunteering as an ambulance officer at the Lucindale District Ambulance at the early age of 17 and continued to do so for 18 years.
He was then a founding member of the Lions Club of Lucindale in 1974 where he remained for 15 years in various roles including president and had a strong focus on education.
Mr Carter even tried his hand at politics as a councillor on the Lucindale District Council and then the Naracoorte Lucindale Council.
“If you grow up in a small place like Lucindale volunteering is born into you,” Mr Carter said.
A move to Mount Gambier in 2001 did nothing to dull his volunteer spirit, if anything igniting the passion, as he joined the Mount Gambier Lions Club, advancing to chairman and president.
He was awarded the Melvin Jones (Lions Club Founder) Fellowship during his time at the Mount Gambier Lions Club for his service within the club over the years.
“I have been a member of the Lions Club for 48 years, but I would like to make it to 50 years,” he said.
Mr Carter took on the role of treasurer at the Mount Gambier Show Society and was a founding member of Stand Like Stone in 2004, continuing as a board member for 12 years.
“I was very proud to be a part of Stand Like Stone because it is a local foundation and it collected money in the region to put back into the community,” he said.
He was also a past member of the Grant High School Governing Council and later a treasurer on Mount Gambier’s Men’s Shed, aiding in his focus on mental health.
Mr Carter said the Order of Australia Medal nomination was very humbling.
“To think people consider me worthy of this achievement is pretty special,” he said.
“There are a lot of people in the community who I believe have done more than me and are worthy of it too.
“I think it is important people nominate others they think have achieved considerable service in the community to acknowledge their efforts.”
