Thirlmere legend Fred Denny, who has received an OAM in the 2022 Australia Day honours, would not be happy to read that he is one of the few remaining World War II heroes.
Like most members of his generation he wears humility like a badge of honour.
When the South West Voice sat down to interview him for a feature leading up to the 2017 Anzac Day it was obvious he did not enjoy talking about himself or any of his achievements in life.
And as his grandson told me this morning when I called to congratulate Fred, the old boy, who will turn 99 in April, would much rather see other people receive such honours and awards.
Fred, who has lived in Thirlmere all his life, fought the Japanese in the Kokoda battles and survived.
Since returning from the war he has been the heart and soul of the local RSL and Anzac Day commemorations.
He has received the OAM for service to veterans and their families after more than 60 years as the welfare officer of the Picton Thirlmere Bargo sub-branch of the RSL, where he is also life member.
Up until recently he had missed just one Anzac Day since 1946, when he was in hospital for a procedure – and he was even cranky about that.
Every year he attends the local Anzac Day in Thirlmere before getting on the train for the city to see his old mates once a year.
They don’t make them like Fred Denny anymore.
The Thirlmere legend was one of eight outer South Western Sydney, from Liverpool to the Wollondilly Shire to receive 2022 Australia Day honours.
One was Margaret Bell of Camden South, who also received an OAM for service to the local community in various roles.
They have included volunteer work at Macarthur preschool for almost 40 years and the Falcons soccer club, where she is a life member.
Mrs Bell is also a current member of the Camden sub-branch of the RSL where she has organised the Anzac Day parade.
Lesley Carlsen, of Campbelltown, has received an OAM for service to the community, especially via various roles in the Lions Club of Campbelltown.
She has been treasurer since 2001 and a member since 1991. She was made a life member in 2017.
A volunteer at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, Mrs Carlsen has previously been the recipient of several local awards, including the James D Richardson from the Lions Club of Campbelltown City.
Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty is among nine police officers who have been awarded the prestigious Australian Police Medal (APM for outstanding service to the NSW Police Force.
Ms Doherty, the former chief of detectives at Camden Local Area Command, is now the Commander of the NSW Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.
She also served as a detective at Liverpool before moving to Camden.
Professor Paul Delaney, the director of cancer services at the South Western Sydney Local Health District since 2011 has received an AM in the Australia Day honours of 2022.
The Chipping Norton resident has been recognised for significant service to oncology and cancer services, and to tertiary education over a long period of time.
Professor Delaney was also director of radiation oncology at Liverpool and Campbelltown Hospitals in 2002-2009, and staff specialist during 1996-2002.
In 1995 he was the co-founder of Collaboration for Cancer Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Liverpool Hospital.
Cobbitty resident Dr Matthew Gray is another recipient of a 2022 Order of Australia honour, for service to community health.
Dr Gray has been the chairman of South Western Sydney Primary Health Network since 2015.
He has been a general practitioner and practice principal at the Schwarz Family Practice since 2001 and is a council member of the Australian Medical Association (NSW), 2013-2017.
Other roles include chairman, South Western Sydney Medicare Local, 2012-2015.
Since 2014 Dr Gray has been a director at Camden Surgical Hospital.
He is also a supporter of Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation Aboriginal Medical Service.
Dr Gray has been a board member of South Western Sydney Local Health District since 2013.
Patricia Hall has received an OAM for service to the community of Liverpool.
She has been the chief executive officer of Liverpool Neighbourhood Connections since 2015 and operations manager for 20 years between 1993-2013. Mrs Hall was Woman of the West, Business, Western Sydney University, 2020, inductee, ZEST Award Hall of Fame, 2019 and Westfield Local Hero, 2018.
Mrs Merridy Thompson of Casula has received an OAM for service to youth through the Australian Air Force Cadets.
She has been the commanding officer of 3 Wing Australian Air Force Cadets since 2020 as well as several other positions.
Mrs Thompson is also a senior workforce educator, Leadership and Management, South Western Local Health District, since 2019 and a nurse educator.
