Alan Joyce was always destined to serve the community of Point Lonsdale.
Whether it was for the surf life saving club, Rotary’s Christmas tree, the Lions Club or anything else that needed doing, Alan was there.
This week he was awarded an Order of Australia Medal as part of the Queen’s Birthday honours list for service to the community of Point Lonsdale.
“I’m blown away with receiving it,” he said.
“I don’t know who nominated me but I appreciate who did it. I really am just blown away.”
Alan was the Borough of Queenscliffe citizen of the year in 2011 and was made a life member of the Queenscliff Music Festival in 2017, after 21 years of volunteering.
But it’s his work with the Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club that Alan is mostly known for.
Made a life member in 2000 after starting at the club in 1966, Alan estimates he has done 15,000 hours of volunteer patrol.
“I’m still involved, but just helping out behind the scenes,” he said.
Alan’s father Keith received an OAM in the mid-1970s.
“I’m quite sure he would have been thrilled to bits seeing me get this,” he said.
“He was heavily involved in the community.
“I just try and help out the community in the best way that I can.”
Despite the countless hours racked up helping others, Alan is quite happy not being noticed.
“A smile and a thank you – that’s all I wanted from anyone,” he said.
“I didn’t want money or write ups or people saying things.
“If there’s a job to be done you just get in and do it and walk away.”
