By ALESHA CAPONE
BURNSIDE great-grandfather Ronald McGrath has been recognised in the Australia Day 2014 Honours List, after more than six decades of dedicated volunteer work.
The 88-year-old has received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to veterans.
Mr McGrath said he was surprised to receive the honour.
“My wife would tell you I nearly had a heart attack,” he said.
With four sons, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Mr McGrath has made his family proud.
During World War II, Mr McGrath joined the RAAF as an 18-year-old.
He served in Queensland and Papua New Guinea as a transport driver.
After the war ended, Mr McGrath became a founding member of the Royal Australian Air Force Association 7 Squadron.
“We decided after we had made so many friends – officers and gentlemen – right across Australia that we should keep in touch,” he said.
Mr McGrath has spent more than 65 years in various roles at the organisation including secretary, treasurer, vice-president and committee member.
Mr McGrath is also an accomplished pianist and played at concerts to entertain his RAAF mates during the war.
Mr McGrath said his beloved wife Betty has been an inspiration and great support to him throughout their marriage.
“While I was the official office bearer for all those years, I could not have served my fellow veterans without Betty at my side,” he said.
Mr McGrath has also received a long service commendation from the Red Cross, after 10 years as a volunteer driver with the charity.
“I was very proud of that,” he said.
Mr and Mrs McGrath helped start the Essendon Civic Association, which went on to establish the Buckley Park Bowling Club, of which Mr McGrath was the first secretary.
The civic association also created the Buckley Park Tennis Club and the Doutta Stars Football Club.
Mr McGrath’s proud son, Alan, recalls his Dad driving footy players to games in the back of his flatbed truck and playing the piano at sporting social functions.
In addition, his father helped establish the Essendon Probus Club and Essendon Central Probus Club.
