By Vanessa Chircop
MALCOLM Daubney had two reasons to celebrate last week.
He was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his work with the blind and vision impaired and last Wednesday marked 50 years since his arrival in Australia from the UK.
Malcolm may have fallen into his voluntary work back in 1970 but for more than 40 years he chose to pursue it.
The Williamstown resident started out small by helping out with fundraisers but it wasn’t long before big things started to happen.
Relocating to Singapore for four years Malcolm became the Vice-President of the Singapore Association of the Blind from 1979 to 1981.
With a $10,000 grant Malcolm helped establish a clinic in a school classroom, a clinic that has grown since and is still operational today.
“Ninety poor children were the first people the clinic saw,” he said.
“For many of them, they saw for the first time.”
Back in Australia Malcolm’s work continued, he sat on several boards and councils and played an integral role in the establishment of the Vision Australia we know today.
And when the organisation needed a CEO he volunteered his time as honorary CEO from 2002-2004.
Malcolm said he was honoured to be receiving an OAM.
“It was a surprise – I’m obviously very honoured,” he said.
“But the biggest satisfaction I get is the satisfaction in improving someone’s quality of life – that is more rewarding.”
The 76-year-old said he wouldn’t have been able to achieve as much as he has without the support of his wife.
“Without my wife Beverly’s total support I wouldn’t be able to do it.”
Malcolm was also humble about his OAM.
“The thing that disturbs me about awards is there are many people that are more deserving than I, that never get recognised.”
“That saddens me.
“The people that turn up every week to make the tea, sandwiches and scones never get awards.”
Malcolm celebrated Australia Day, his award and his arrival to Australia with a barbeque with family and friends last Thursday.
