Everyone is looking for their tribe, says Therese McKenney, whose service to the community has been recognised with an OAM.
The third-time Rotary Club of Altona president and head of the Newport Community Education Centre (Outlets) arrived in Hobsons Bay 33 years ago as a sole parent with a one-year-old son.
She started tutoring at Outlets before becoming chief executive and community economic development officer in 1988.
Ms McKenney has been with Rotary for 15 years and the Newport Traders Association for 12 years. She was also on the Bayside Festival committee for 14 years.
“There are so many people who are alone and you don’t even know they’re alone,” she said. “But you’re not alone – there’s someone else there with a story, there’s someone else that needs that friendship.
“Life is accepting community. Everyone’s looking for their tribe.”
Ms McKenney said she was “shellshocked” to receive the medal.
“I actually felt so unworthy of it,” she said. “I’m grateful for it and I’m extremely honoured.”
