A number of UCA members have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for their outstanding church and community service.
Banyule Network of Churches Heidelberg congregation member Gwenda Lucas was made a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to church, calisthenics and the community.
Gwenda has been an Elder with the Banyule Network of Uniting Churches since 2005, was a volunteer at the Uniting Church’s Sycamore Tree Coffee Shop from 2000 to 2015, and an Elder at St Columba’s Uniting Church in Balwyn from 1995 to 2004.
She was also a Sunday School Superintendent and Youth Leader with the West Thornbury Presbyterian Church and a former member of the Joint Church Council.
A number of other Uniting Church members were honoured with Medal of the Order of Australia recognition.
Geoffrey Boehm from St Luke’s Highton congregation was recognised for his roles as a member since 2000, former congregational secretary, former Messy Church activity leader and convenor of the St Luke’s Men’s Shed.
Barbara Carter has been a member of The Avenue Blackburn congregation since 2012, was a member of the Synod’s Sexual Misconduct Complaint Committee from 2009 to 2015, and is the Blackburn congregation’s organist.
Ian Cover has been chair of the Barwon Heads Uniting Church Council since 2005 and was recognised for his service to the community in many roles.
Margaret Rowe has been chair of the Leongatha Uniting Church Council since 2005, apart from a three-year period, and a member for many years. She has also been a committee member of the Gippsland Presbytery since about 2007.
Marjorie Smith was a member of the Dandenong North Uniting Church congregation for over 60 years, before its closure in 2017.
She was also a church elder for 30 years, a committee treasurer, organ player, Sunday School teacher and Dorothy Bailey House committee member.
Gael Perry was honoured for her work as a liaison officer with the Wesley Uniting Church in Geelong and a committee member of the Wesley Centre for Life Enrichment.
Uniting AgeWell board member Donna Markham was recognised for service to health administration.
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