Australia Day Citizen of the Year – Adam Smith
Senior Citizen of the Year – Joan Osmond
Young Citizen of the Year – Julia Dangerfield
Community Event of the Year – Blue Lake Carols
Active Citizenship Award – Mount Gambier Men’s Shed ‘Toy Boys’
Lorraine Musgrove has worked diligently as a member of the Mount Gambier Cancer Support Group since 1994 and chairperson since 2012.
Ms Musgrove is well known for supporting clients diagnosed with cancer and provides people with an empathetic ear during times of need.
She was born in North Fitzroy, Victoria on July 30, 1946, moved to Mount Gambier in 1958, married Leonard Musgrove in 1967 and has three daughters and six grandchildren.
Ms Musgrove’s empathy and understanding for those dealing with cancer began when her husband was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1988.
“We had to travel to Adelaide every three weeks for treatment and I think it makes you realise just what other families are going through,” she said.
“I had a very dear friend who nagged me to join the Cancer Support Group in 1994 so I went to a luncheon and knew quite a few people there who were friendly and welcoming and that’s how it all started.”
Sadly, Mr Musgrove passed away after a long battle with cancer in 2002.
Ms Musgrove continued to support others going through cancer as the group’s client coordinator.
“When we get referrals from the oncology unit, I organise support for our clients and visit them and see what their needs are,” she said.
“We have four in our team and we work together to be readily available to provide information and funds to local families.
“I think across the board the journey through cancer is very different, some clients need a lot of support, others just need for us to pop around and say hello or make a phone call, every client and their families are all individuals.
“Sometimes people want to talk to us outside of the family as another person to listen.
“Everything is confidential and it does not go anywhere else.”
Fellow group member Jeannette Breda nominated Ms Musgrove for the Senior Citizen of the Year Award and said the support group would not exist without her ongoing dedication and guidance.
“Lorraine has got a lot of compassion, she knows the right words to say and when to say them,” Ms Breda said.
“She is one of God’s angels, she can calm people down, she is just a wonderful person and friend.
“Lorraine has led fundraising efforts for the group for the past 15 years, gaining donations from businesses, individuals, sporting groups and group activities.
“We have organised fundraisers, raffles, the West Gambier football gate, badge days and we receive a lot of support from the community and businesses.
“Lorraine drew on her personal strength and resilience to fight her own cancer battle in recent years.
“Lorraine is a cancer survivor herself, she had bowel cancer about five years ago and had treatment including surgery and chemotherapy locally.
“She took it in her stride with no fuss, that’s our Lorraine.”
Ms Musgrove has also been a long-time member of the Naval Association of Australia, the Mount Gambier Girls Quilting and Sewing Group, the Mount Gambier Chat and Craft group, North Gambier Primary School canteen, Mount Gambier Swimming Club and West Gambier Football Club.
“I enjoy volunteering, I find it rewarding and I encourage others to go out and volunteer, it’s a wonderful service to give to the community, it does not matter what you volunteer in,” Ms Musgrove said.
She was shocked to hear that she was a recipient of the City of Mount Gambier – 2022 Senior Citizen of the Year Award.
“My phone rang when I was down the street so I hopped in the car and if anyone had have walked past they would have thought that I had received a sad phone call because I was crying, I could not even speak, I was just blown away it’s just so overwhelming,” Ms Musgrove said.
