Former Upper Hunter Citizen of the Year, Charles Cooke, has received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in this year's Kings Birthday Honours for service to the Scottish community of NSW.
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Speaking from his farm 'Long Hill' at Gundy Mr Cooke said he was honoured to receive the award and thanked the people, who over the years, had helped him promote all things Scottish.
"Honestly I was staggered when I heard about the award," he said.
One of the founders of the annual Aberdeen Highland Games, he is currently busy preparing for next month's 24th games, to be held at Jefferson Park, Saturday, July 6.
"As a longterm member of the Scone RSL Pipes and Drums I was approached back in 2020 to help organise and run the highland games and have been involved ever since.
"Its a great day at Aberdeen with all the pipe bands, competitions and the clans gathering. I am proud of what we have achieved."
He is a life member of Clan MacLeod and every four years travels to the Isle of Skye, Scotland for the MacLeod clan gathering an event which he absolutely enjoys along with family members who travel with him.
In addition to his passion for Scottish heritage Mr Cooke has been an active member of his community of Gundy for many years being part of the Rural Fire Service, Anzac Day Committee and Bushman's Carnival Association.
His citation read: For service to the Scottish community of New South Wales.
Aberdeen Highland Games, Hunter Valley
Founder, 2000.
Former President.
Vice President, current.
Former Bands Coordinator.
Former Public Officer.
The Clan MacLeod Society of Australia (NSW) Inc
Member, since 1980s.
Life Member, since 2019.
Former Vice President, Northern Region, 20 years.
Former Host, Clan Gatherings, over 20 years.
Scone RSL Pipes and Drums
Secretary/Treasurer, 25 years.
Founding Member, since 1995.
Former Drum Major.
Scottish Heritage Organisations
Design, Upper Hunter Valley Tartan.
Member, Hunter District Pipe Band Association, current.
Member, Scottish Australian Heritage Council, current.
Member, Hunter Valley Scots Club, current.
United Grand Lodge of NSW and ACT
Member, since 1967.
Former Member, Prince of Wales Lodge 102.
50 Year Certificate and Jewel, 2018.
Former Member, The Prince of Wales Lodge.
Scone Lodge 183
Member, current.
Treasurer, 1998-2019.
Master, 1980 and 1997.
Gundy Crown Reserve Trust
Trustee, 30 years.
Chairman, 15 years.
Community
Member, Gundy Rural Fire Brigade, NSW Rural Fire Service, since 2003.
Founding Member, Upper Hunter Education Fund Inc, and Former Treasurer.
Founding member, Gundy Anzac Day Committee Inc.
Founding Member and Former President, Gundy Gala Day Committee.
Former President and Committee Member, Scone Grammar School Parents and Friends.
Former Secretary, Gundy Bushman's Carnival Association, six years and Committee Member 10 years.
Awards and Recognition include:
Minister's Award in Volunteer Excellence, NSW Government, 2020.
Long Service Medal, NSW Rural Fire Service, 2018.
Hunter McLoughlin Memorial Award, Scone District, Upper Hunter Shire Australia Day Awards, 2012.
Upper Hunter Citizen of the Year, Upper Hunter Shire, 2012.
Louise Nichols
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
