A Gisborne resident who fought to protect the area’s heritage has created a bit of history of her own, being one of several Macedon Ranges residents to be presented with Queen’s Birthday honours.
Phyllis Boyd, long-time president and secretary of the Gisborne and Mount Macedon Districts Historical Society, was recognised with an Order of Australia medal for her service to heritage preservation.
‘‘Before we know where we’re going, we have to know where we came from,’’ she said of her motivation.
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Mrs Boyd and her husband, Ian, moved to Gisborne almost 30 years ago, having long travelled to the area for weekends away.
With a keen interest in family history, Mrs Boyd soon threw herself into heritage issues, and went on to become a founding member of the Macedon Ranges Heritage Council after council amalgamations in the mid 1990s.
‘‘It’s always been very obvious to me that, once we got sewerage and natural gas, Gisborne was going to grow,’’ Mrs Boyd said.
‘‘It was inevitable.’’
Mrs Boyd has also had long stints as president of the Gisborne Regional Events and Tourism Association (GREAT) and Mount Macedon Business Association.
She has written three coffee table books on the heritage of the area and continues to pass on local history as a guide for walking tours.
‘‘I just love sharing information and knowledge,’’ the former teacher said.
Other awardees
Also awarded was Trentham’s Mario Sartori for his service to the community through his involvement with groups including the CFA, neighbourhood centre and football club.
Macedon Ranges Health president and former Western Water director John Wauchope, of Mount Macedon, was recognised for his service to the insurance industry, including stints as chairman of the Recoveries Corporation and the Australian Insurance Association’s state branch.
