His name is synonymous with the Campbelltown sub-branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) and now Gordon James “Dutchy’’ Holland has been acknowledged in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Order of Australia honours.
Dutchy Holland has received an Order of Australia Medal – OAM – for services to veterans and their families over several decades.
He has been president of the Campbelltown sub-branch since 2000, a life member since 2007 and a delegate to the RSL state congress since 2000.
He has been president of the Campbelltown sub-branch since 2000, a life member since 2007 and a delegate to the RSL state congress since 2000.
Mr Holland, who received the RSL Meritorious Service Medal in 2011, has served in several other roles in the RSL sub-branch, including as the welfare and pension officer from 1973 to 1997.
He also served as president of the Macarthur Sub-Branch, Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia and he is now a life member of that organisation.
Mr Holland is both a patron and life member of the NSW Sub-Branch of the RSL and the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia.
He has been president of the management committee of the South West Multicultural and Community Centre for five years and has also delivered training workshops to Macarthur Skill Share and Macarthur Training and Learning Centre.
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Another local resident to be recognised in this year’s honours was Bargo resident Betty Wallace, who receives an OAM for service to people with disability and to the local community.
Betty Jean Wallace was the co-founder of the Wollondilly Pony Club more than 50 years ago in 1968.
She has been president since 2017, senior instructor since 1972 and a life member since 1981.
She has also been president of Wollondilly Riding for the Disabled since 2017 and the current chief coach and instructor.
Betty Wallace has also been a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, Picton, between 1974 and 2018, the Tahmoor Bush Fire Brigade for 48 years and a member of the Picton Show Society, among others.
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The editor and publisher of the Whip Around newsletter, Rossmore resident Janet Muspratt, has also received an OAM for services to horse sports.
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Former federal member for Werriwa Laurie Ferguson has also been included in this year’s honours, receiving an OAM for parliamentary services.
Mr Ferguson was the MP for Werriwa between 2010 and 2016.
