Glenorchy parishioner awarded OAM for service to Tasmania

By Josh Low

The joy of helping others is what has driven Glenorchy parishioner Leslie (Les) Williams to a life of service to the community of Tasmania.

Because of his efforts, Mr Williams was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.

His lifetime of volunteering and service began as a boy with the Surf Life Saving Club and his school, Savio (now known as Dominic) College.

For the next 65 years he was involved with the Huntington’s Disease Association of Tasmania, the Police Boys Club of Hobart, Claremont Little League Football Club, aged care facilities, organisations representing people with intellectual disabilities, and the Rosary Gardens Kiosk. He also served as Director of Fundraising at St John’s Church in Glenorchy.

In 2002 Mr Williams along with others at the parish helped to raise $25,000 over a four-month period to assist more than 30 youth attend World Youth Day in Toronto, Canada.

“l’m very proud to have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia,” Mr Williams said.

“The only downside is that my beautiful wife Lucy is not here to share in the joy, as she passed away in 2022.

“She would’ve been really chuffed to see me awarded [the honour].”

Mr Williams will receive his Order of Australia Medal at a ceremony in September from the Governor of Tasmania.

In the meantime, his current venture involves running a Christmas Fundraising Raffle with a friend, with proceeds going to the Royal Hobart Hospital Children’s Ward.

“You can always spare of couple of hours to help somebody else.

“I just like serving the public and helping people,” Mr Williams said.

“I don’t need any motivation to go and do it, I just get up out of bed and do it. Over all the years, no challenge has been insurmountable.”