The Australia Day Honours list in the northern inland region has recognised an elite few in 2012. From Willow Tree to Narrabri and across to Glen Innes, eight community contributors have been honoured. Among the awardees was Maxwell Gordon (Max) Browning, who received an Order of Australia Medal “for service to the community of Armidale’. “The Award was entirely unexpected and I am deeply honoured,” he said.
Mr Browning was an employee at WHK Camerons Chartered Accountants for 55 years (1955-2006). He was a Partner from 1969 to 2006 and served as Chief Executive from 2003 until his retirement in 2006.
“I worked in the New England region as a chartered accountant for many years and I felt that served me very well and I felt an obligation to give something back to the community that had served me so well,” Mr Browning said.
The humble OAM recipient contributed much to a broad range of organisations and has stressed that he never felt he was doing it alone. “I feel that an honour such as this is a direct result of my dealing with so many people, who have helped and supported me. I largely receive this award on behalf of them, particularly my wife Janice, who has been behind me all the way through.”
Mr Browning explained that he gained much from his decades of community service. “I’ve got personal growth and great satisfaction from seeing organisations I’ve been involved with prosper over the years. Working through Rotary, which has been a big part of my life, I’ve been able to return to the community some of what it has given to me in the past.”
The Australia Day awards put a spotlight on standout citizens and Max Browning stands tall as an inspirational role model for the X and Y generations. “My message to young generations would be: support your local community. Work to develop it and make it a better place to live,” he said.
A snapshot of Max Browning’s community service:
Trustee, Armidale Anglican Diocese, 1988-2010; Member, Diocesan Investment Committee, since 1988; current Chair, Investment Advisory Group.
Chairman, The Armidale School Council, 1990-1998; Treasurer and Deputy Chairman; Board Member, 1980-1998.
Chairman, The Armidale School Foundation, 1999-2003; Founding Member, 1990-2003.
Honorary Treasurer, Horbury Hunt Heritage Bell Tower Trust, since 1993.
President, Armidale North Rotary Club, 1992-1993; Board Member, for a number of years; Member, since 1972;
Chairman, Mammography Appeal for Mobile Unit, 1990-1991;
Member, House Project – Aid Accommodation for the Confused Elderly Appeal, 1991-1992.
Current Treasurer, Clan MacRae Society of Australia and New Zealand; and President, Organising Committee, Clan Sesqui-Centenary Celebration, 2003.
Story: Gary Fry
