Yarrawonga identity Leo (Lee) Powell has been a big contributor to the local community since arriving in town in 1971 – earning him an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours List.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The care for community was instilled in him by his dad, Baden Powell from Echuca days, Lee’s birthplace.
“If someone was walking along the railway line, he’d bring them in for a meal or a bed. Some stayed for quite a while,” 82-year-old Lee told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
Yarrawonga’s community has meant a lot to Lee, who was named Yarrawonga’s top citizen in 2016 by Moira Shire Council.
Lee Powell pictured with Alan Petrie and Mulwala Bakery owners Lauren and Dean Holgate as part of a Christmas hamper drive in 2021.
The retired meat inspector has voluntarily contributed to numerous local organisations for 50 years.
Since 1999, he has helped Moira FoodShare and was well known as Volunteer Co-ordinator of meals for many years.
Lee is a Life Member of Yarrawonga Jaycees, being president on two occasions whilst a member from 1972 to 1982.
“All his life he has done voluntary work – the BMX track, putting trees in, the swimming pool – the Jaycees was a sounding board in a way and he’s made a difference to the community,” wife of over 60 years, Jenny proudly said. “Lee likes people. He’s a people’s person.”
For 18 years, Lee was a member of Yarrawonga Neighbourhood House including three years as area co-ordinator.
The Yarrawonga Mulwala Mixed Probus member was a Friends in Common volunteer for six years, a Yarrawonga Primary School Council member for two years, a volunteer of the Community Opportunity Shop from 2008 to 2018, a committee member of the Yarrawonga and District Community Car Project in 2013 and was Mulwala Football Netball Club social club president for 10 years.
Before moving to Yarrawonga, Lee was a good swimmer and represented Echuca playing interleague baseball matches against the likes of Bendigo, Ballarat and Mt Gambier. He was also a handy squash player in Yarrawonga.
Lee was a modest recipient of the OAM, reluctant to take credit for his 2023 national award, believing that other persons are more deserving “because they do so much”.
But as conveyed by former CEO of Gateway Services and subsequent volunteer, Robin Harwood, Lee’s suitability for such a prestigious award was straightforward.
“It’s absolutely well deserved,” Mr Harwood said. “Lee goes above and beyond – 24/7 was common practice.
“Lee and I have worked a lot together. He commands the highest level of respect in the community and despite turning 82 this year, he continues to co-ordinate the important role of over 20 FoodShare volunteers in their role of supporting the greater community. He set up the ‘Opp’ Shop and it’s still going.”
Moira FoodShare provides emergency food relief to vulnerable and at-risk people in the community. These people include farmers, single parent families, people out of work or people finding it difficult to make ends meet.
Of his selection, Lee said: “It’s definitely an honour. I’m very lucky. I love volunteering.” It’s so called ’lucky’ persons like Lee Powell who make such significant contributions to improve a community which deserve a national award for services to the community.
