By Nicole Precel
LAVERTON’S Lesley Gertrude has a strong love for Laverton and she said community pride was what made it the suburb it is today.
The 68-year-old’s passion for her community and her action to make it a better place has lead to her receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia for community service.
“Since I had children and moved to Laverton, I’ve always been involved with the community,” she said.
She’s written columns and delivered Around Laverton, a community newspaper for 25 years, has been a scout group leader and is also the president of the Highland and National Dancing Association. And she manages to make time for her six children and 14 grandchildren.
“We’re getting a lot done in Laverton and we’re really coming of age with what’s happening now with the new railway station, we’re becoming a very sought after city now,” she said. “The West was yuck but we’re not any more, we can hold our head up high in Laverton now.”
She’s also pushing to help Laverton’s youth speak up for themselves and make themselves self-sufficient.
She is part of the youth foundation committee that works to promote and empower young Laverton residents.
“The kids in Laverton are very, very good. They are learning to be very independent,” she said.
To Mrs Gertrude, receiving the OAM was not something she ever envisaged.
“I don’t think I’m worthy of it,” she said. “I thought when they made me the Laverton citizen of the year that was the biggest honour of my life, but this is incredible, it’s an absolute honour.”
Every time she looks at the letter it brings her to tears. “It doesn’t happen to ordinary people like me, but it has,” she said. But Mrs Gertrude has always found time for her family, who are very proud.
“I just do what I like, I just do things because I love Laverton and I got to live here, so it’s got to be a good place,” she said.
