Gympie resident, Mrs Maureen Rush has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.
Awarded to members of the community to acknowledge service worthy of particular recognition, Mrs Rush received the honour for her service to veterans and their families.
Upon first receiving the email of her nomination, Mrs Rush wondered if she should accept.
“Then I thought.. whoever went to all the trouble to nominate me deserves for me to accept,” said Mrs Rush.
“So thank you to whoever nominated me!”
Since 2013 Mrs Rush has been a member of multiple associations including Australian War Widows Queensland, Vietnam Veterans Association Gympie and Legacy Laurel Club. Her service extends to positions such as Gympie Area Organiser for Quilts of Valour, President of St Patrick’s Parish Council and former board member of Beechwood Aged Care Community Warana.
Mrs Rush has been a member of the Gympie community since 2000 and said she absolutely loves the area and is proud to call it her home.
Her dedication to service has seen her take the titles of President of Legacy Laurel Club, and the Gympie branch of Australian War Widows, as well as taking the position of Secretary of Vietnam Veterans Association.
No task is too small, amongst her many key titles Mrs Rush also volunteers her time to knit garments for neonatal infants and poppies for RSL’s and others for Remembrance Day. With no plans to stop anytime soon, Mrs Rush says she hopes to continue to serve her community for years to come.
