Ocean Grove is mourning the death of Phil Emery OAM on May 13.
Mr Emery received an Order of Australia Medal as part of the Queen’s Birthday honours list in 2021 and was recognised for his contribution to the greater Geelong area.
At the time, he said he had no idea who nominated him.
“I didn’t even know the process and I still don’t,” he said.
“My old man used to have a philosophy that if you ever do anything good for someone, don’t tell anyone.
“The community gets to celebrate a bit too I think.”
Mr Emery was chair of Barwon Coast Committee of Management from 2014 to 2021 and was the inaugural president of the Shell Road Sports and Community Pavilion.
He was also the founder of Ocean Grove Harriers, a social running group that has been operating since 1985.
Mr Emery was an active member of Ocean Grove Football Netball Club and was junior football director, junior coach, committee member, and was the driving force in the club’s move from Memorial Reserve to Shell Road in 2015.
He was also a proud social supporter of the club being both a Red Wine Club & Golden Grubber member.
Mr Emery was a simulated patient volunteer for final-year medical students at Geelong Clinical School and was a member of Barwon Health human research ethics committee.
Mr Emery will be sorely missed throughout the Ocean Grove community.
