Earl Kelaher has long been a well known identity in the north of the shire – a real community man and an honest good fella.
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And it was this personality and passion for his region that led Mr Kelaher to be recognised with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) on Australia Day.
Mr Kelaher was joined by his wife, family and friends when his outstanding achievement was announced at the Quirindi Australia Day ceremony on Sunday.
A Willow Tree man, Mr Kelaher has played a large role in the Willow Tree, Quirindi and Murrurundi towns his whole life and he was awarded the OAM for his service to the welfare of veterans and their families, and to the communities he has lived and worked in.
When speaking to The Scone Advocate this week, Mr Kelaher said he believes he has lived in a good era and judging by his commitments it seems the 68-year-old has been just as good in return.
Mr Kelaher was the Murrurundi Shire Council mayor from 2001 to 2004 and a councillor from 1991 to 2004 before being a councillor of the Liverpool Plains Shire Council from 2004 to 2008 during which time he was deputy mayor in 2004.
During his involvement with Murrurundi Shire Council, Mr Kelaher was a member of the Social Development, Australia Day, Weight and Loads, Honour Roll and Harvesting the Future committees.
He was a council delegate, a member of the Murrurundi Development Association, Liverpool Plains Land Management Committee and active on the Willow Tree Recreation Committee.
Since 1986 he has been a committee member of the Willow Tree Bowling Club including holding the positions of vice president from 1990 to 1992 and president from 1993 to 1996.
He has also been a member of the Willow Tree Lions Club for more than 11 years and a big supporter of the King of the Ranges Stockman’s Challenge and Bush Festival since 2003.
Mr Kelaher has been a member of Tamworth Legacy’s Quirindi Group for more than 20 years and has been the chairman since 2007, he is a director of the Quirindi RSL and a board trustee of the Quirindi Sub-branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia.
The Vietnam Veterans Association member is also the local Anzac Day ceremony organiser and visits the local schools in conjunction with the commemorations.
In 2010-2011 Mr Kelaher was awarded a Community Services Award by the Liverpool Plains Shire Council.
Mr Kelaher said he was absolutely blown away to receive an OAM as he believes there are a lot of others out there who deserve one before him.
“It is a great honour to be able to accept it though.”
