Altona SES “den mother” Merridee Hardinge has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service with the unit and the community.
A volunteer for 48 years, Ms Hardinge (pictured) officially joined the unit in 1995 when her own children were old enough to stay home alone in Altona.
The unit treasurer’s husband, founding Altona SES member and former Hobsons Bay mayor Leigh Hardinge, was awarded the OAM in 2012.
“I was a Cub leader when I was 17 … that’s where we met actually,” Ms Hardinge said.
“I was with 10th Footscray and Leigh was with 3rd Williamstown.”
She said the unit had just taken in seven new members, all women.
“Two of our children actually joined the unit. Faye was the first lady coxswain for our unit. She was in it for 10 years and now she has a family of her own so can’t come any more.
“And Wendy is now living in Holland.
“Family’s first and it’s to look after them that’s our main concern, and then it’s to help wherever we can. You know, you do what you can to help, and the community’s a good community – it’s great.”
Ms Hardinge said she was “very nervous, shocked actually” to receive the award.
“It’s very humbling and you feel very proud to be honoured.
“It is a good thing to volunteer and there’s a lot of people who do volunteer and some of them are not recognised for what they do.
‘‘It would be nice if someone would nominate them and bring their name forward.”
Ms Hardinge has volunteered with Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek since 2005 and the Roadsafe Westgate Community Road Safety Council since 2002.
She is a past winner of the Inspirational Women awards from Hobsons Bay council and Alan J Holding Award from the Lions Club of Altona, and she’s been named
Altona SES member of the year and Hobsons Bay Emergency Services volunteer of the year.
