ONE of the great things about the Wimmera is our sense of community spirit.
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Whether it's donating to the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal, lining the streets to #LightUpTheDawn on Anzac Day, volunteering in the canteen at the footy and netball, or joining a group to help better our community, Wimmera people are always ready to step up and do what's needed.
So it makes sense that a few Wimmera faces would be recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours for service to their community.
Today, West Wimmera Shire Mayor Bruce Meyer and Wimmera River Improvement Committee chairman Gary Aitken both received Medal of the Order of Australia honours, while Rupanyup farmer Andrew Weidemann has been recognised with a Member of the Order of Australia.
It is a huge achievement for these three men and they deserve congratulations for the many things they have done for their community.
But there are at least three other names that should be acknowledged as well: Wendy Meyer, Beverley Aitken and Julie Weidemann.
All three Wimmera Queen's Birthday Honours recipients paid tribute to their wives and the support they had shown along the journey.
As Cr Meyer said: "You can't really achieve anything unless you have a very supportive family around you. A lot of times I get credit for things that have only happened because Wendy's worked just as hard as me."
"You don't ever do anything in your life just by yourself," Mr Aitken said.
It's important when you achieve anything to take a moment to thank those who helped you along the way - family, friends or colleagues.
Congratulations to our Queen's Birthday Honours recipients and their families - it's well deserved.
Cassandra Dalgleish
Acting editor
PS: For those of you who stayed curled up in bed late this morning, enjoying a public holiday sleep-in, good choice. Horsham was an icy -2.4 degrees at 7am - brrrr. If you've got any tips for beating the winter blues - or anything else you want to chat about - let me know at cass.dalgleish@austcommunitymedia.com.au.