Modest Glenn earns OAM

Glenn Wright’s service to the community of Leongatha has been officially recognised, being named a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) due to his extensive contributions to a variety of organisations locally.

Glenn’s strong work ethic and enthusiasm for volunteering are characteristics he attributes to his parents.
As with most community-minded people, he has always done what he saw needed doing and doesn’t strive for accolades.

Glenn pondered whether to accept the OAM, concerned there were others in the community more worthy of the honour, but his longstanding and wide-ranging contributions suggest he thoroughly deserves the official acknowledgement.

Enjoyment of being involved in community is the driving force behind Glenn’s endeavours.
“I haven’t seen it as a burden and it’s given me as much enjoyment as what I’ve put in,” he said of his combined efforts as a volunteer.

“I’m a bit of a stayer, and you tick along and don’t think about it,” Glenn said of his longevity in many volunteer positions.

His passion for sport led to his involvement with the Leongatha Football Netball Club, Leongatha Recreation Reserve and the Leongatha and District Cricket Association (LDCA).

He has proved equally adept whether in leadership roles or performing hands-on jobs.

Now chair of the Committee of Management at Leongatha Recreation Reserve, which involves working with 19 sporting groups, Glenn’s leadership skills have long been recognised in other organisations at which he has volunteered.

He was president at his beloved local footy club, as well as at the LDCA and the Leongatha Jaycees, and has also taken on other committee roles.

The Jaycees had a strong emphasis on debating and public speaking, with Glenn crediting the organisation for standing him in good stead for his many leadership roles.

Alongside his administrative contributions, Glenn devoted thousands of hours to the preparation of the Leongatha Recreation Reserve cricket pitch, spending years assisting the renowned Ernie Thompson before taking charge of preparing his own pitches.

“We had a good reputation for our pitch,” Glenn said.

That at one stage included endorsements from visiting international sides, with England and the West Indies having played local representative teams in Leongatha.

Glenn was an active sportsman and would still be playing cricket at age 75, if not for significant health challenges over the last five years.

He earned legend status for local side Imperials, for which he played most of his cricket, with his medium pace bowling making him the club’s highest wicket taker.

While having played in a number of successful sides, Glenn’s highlight was lining up with son Bradley and grandson Lachie in a grand final, with the trio part of an Imperials premiership.

Glenn is a Life Member at Leongatha Football Netball Club, not only having been a long-term committee member, but also running the club’s fundraising auction for a decade, and acting as a Gippsland league delegate for as long.

He also played his part onfield as a volunteer goal umpire for around 25 years.
While sport is an ongoing love for Glenn, he has embraced many other aspects of community life since his move to Leongatha from Neerim East in 1974.

That has included assisting wife Shirleyanne with training young people as they prepared for debutante balls.

“It’s brilliant for the kids and their self-esteem,” Glenn said of the value the balls play.

Helping young people find purpose and a sense of achievement has been something he has relished throughout his time as a volunteer.

The Leongatha Cemetery Trust, where Shirleyanne was secretary for 20 years, is another organisation to benefit from Glenn’s community mindedness, through his contributions to gardening and maintenance and as gate keeper.

Inspired by the story of Lennie Gwyther and the nine-year-old’s epic horseback journey from Leongatha to Sydney, Glenn was one of those who drove the project to create a statue in memory of Lennie, something he was delighted to see unveiled in 2017.

Glenn paid tribute to wife Shirleyanne, expressing his appreciation for her support over the years.

There is no doubt that whoever nominated Glenn for his Australia Day honour made an excellent decision.