General News
12 June, 2026
Local volunteer awarded OAM
ARARAT’S Jane Richardson has been recognised for her longstanding contribution to the community, receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division in the King's Birthday Honours.
Mrs Richardson was recognised for service to the communities of the East Grampians through decades of volunteering and leadership across aged care, health services and community organisations.
Mrs Richardson said she was surprised to receive the honour.
"I was stunned, I don't feel like a really worthy person for it,” she said.
"I have a funny feeling I have some family that might have been pushing too from a distance."
Her contributions include serving as secretary of the East Grampians Health Service Residents' Support Group for 13 years, founding both the Magical Memories Group and the Whistling Kettle Chat Group, volunteering at Lowe Street Aged Care Facility since 2007, and holding numerous roles with the Ararat Branch of the Victorian Embroidery Guild.
Her involvement with aged care began when Lowe Street opened.
"I got involved with aged care when Lowe Street opened, and my mother was in care in New South Wales, and I couldn’t help there, so I thought I could do something here."
One of her most rewarding initiatives was the Memories Program, which encouraged residents to share stories from their lives.
"Residents just came, and we'd talk, and I'd ask them questions, and they could answer them if they wanted to or not, about their past and what they've done, some of their lives were extraordinary."
Mrs Richardson has also played a significant role in Ararat's creative community, assisting during the early years of the city's art gallery and running embroidery sessions after school.
She recalled the Victorian Embroidery Guild exhibition The Tea Party as a turning point in her involvement with community arts.
"That got the ball rolling in doing more things there."
Among her many recognitions, Mrs Richardson was named a Life Governor of East Grampians Health Service in 2023.
Despite the recognition, she said volunteering had always been driven by a desire to stay active and contribute to the community.
"You do these things because you enjoy them. You don't do them for anything else."
East Grampians Health Service chief executive Nick Bush said Mrs Richardson was a worthy recipient.
“The Board, executive, staff, volunteers and of course our aged care residents all congratulate Jane on this prestigious and well-deserved award,” he said.
“Our residents loved the Magical Memories and Whistling Kettle groups that she formed and ran at 70 Lowe Street for many years and I know Jane enjoyed them as much as our residents did,” Mr Bush said, recognising her ongoing contribution to EGHS.
“Jane has also acted as a consumer representative of the Lowe Street User Group, providing valuable consumer feedback for the redevelopment program, as well as a consumer representative for other EGHS projects.
“Thank you Jane, for all that you have done and continue to do for aged care residents at EGHS,” Mr Bush said.
Read More: Ararat