Three South Coast locals awarded OAMs

Three South Coast locals have been recognised in the King’s Birthday 2023 Honours List!

Frank Davey of Pambula Beach, Merimbula’s William Deveril and Moruya’s Pamela Hamory were among the 920 people across Australia to receive an award in the General Division of the Order of Australia.

The Order of Australia is our nation’s highest recognition for outstanding achievement and service.

Frank, William and Pamela have each been recognised for their service and dedication to their local communities.

Pam has been described as someone who had made a remarkable contribution over five decades of volunteer work, which started at school and has continued well into her retirement.

Pam’s volunteer work includes 25 years with the Australian Red Cross, a volunteer fire fighter from 1974 till 2002, roles in local radio, the Australasian Alpaca Breeders Association, the Eurobodalla District Show, Eurobodalla Amateur Bee-Keepers and the Gourmet Gardeners Group, as well as founder and leader of Eurobodalla Spinners and Weavers founder and even croquet coach.

After leaving Wagga and arriving in Pambula in 1981, Frank Davey (pictured above second from the left) has been involved in community and sporting clubs and activities around Pambula and Merimbula for over 40 years.

Frank has a long history with the Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs Rugby League Club, and the Pambula Beach Surf Life Saving Club. He received his 30-year service award from Surf Life Saving Australia in 2020, and is a life member of the South Coast Surf Lifesaving association and a director of youth development.

Frank is the current president of the Merimbula Conference Program for the St Vincent de Paul Society and a committee member of the Pambula Tennis Club.

Meanwhile if you’ve even been for a swim, fish or SUP at Merimbula’s Mitchies Jetty you’ve probably bumped into William ‘Bill’ Deveril.

The 84-year-old, has provided plenty of help to the community during his life in Merimbula.

Mr Deveril has a long time connection with the Pambula Surf Club including helping it to reform the after it folded following World War II.

He was awarded with a 50-year Long Service medal from the state centre of the Surf Life Saving Association.

He was also on the founding committee of the Pambula-Merimbula Golf Club, was involved in the first Jazz Festival in Merimbula back in 1981 and was the committee’s president for Merimbula’s Twyford Theatre.

Images: Frank Davey, William Deveril, Pamela Hamory