A familiar name in the Yass community, Mr Alfred McCarthy has been awarded Medal of the Order Australia as part of Queen’s Birthday Honours this year.
He has been given the honour “for service to the community of Yass”, the citation reads.
Mr McCarthy feels honoured to have been awarded OAM.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to have lived in Yass and feel grateful to the community here,” Mr McCarthy said.
“I have always been involved with one committee or the other in Yass. It’s not just me, but lots of other people too who are involved in working for the community.”
Born in Yass, the 85-year-old studied at the Canberra University College, now ANU, before returning to the town and working for the well-known accountancy firm Gregory & McCarthy that was established by his father and went on to become a partner at the firm.
Since his return to Yass, he has been involved with several organisations including Yass Meals on Wheels, Rotary Club of Yass, Yass Bicentenary Committee and Yass Apex Homes.
“There are lots of people working tirelessly for the community,” he said.
“I think every country town has a body of people who one way or another contribute to the welfare of the town. If they didn’t, then things probably wouldn’t happen.”
He has a message for youths who want to be involved in the community.
“There are no dearth of opportunities in Yass if one is interested in working for the community whether it’s sports, schools or aged care,” he said.
Neha Attre
The Queen’s Birthday Honours list recognises Australians who have made a contribution to their community.
Mr McCarthy’s involvement with various organisations:
Yass Aged Care Foundation
Vice-President, current.
Member, Investment Committee, current.
Member, since 1991.
Rotary Club of Yass
President, 1985-1986.
Member, since 1978.
Has held a range of Executive roles.
District Finance Committee and District Treasurer, 2006-2007.
Involved with the District Youth Exchange and NYSF Committees, for 15 years.
Established, Education Foundation.
Paul Harris Fellow.
Yass Meals on Wheels
Chairman, 1980-2017.
Treasurer, 1969-1980.
Yass Bicentenary Committee
Chairman, 1985-1988.
Apex
District Governor, 1973-1974.
President, 1967-1968.
Life Member, since 1975.
Inaugural Treasurer, Yass Apex Homes.
Other
Founding Trustee and Secretary, Rae Burgess Centre.
Former Partner and current consultant, Gregory and McCarthy Chartered Accountants, for over 60 years.
Admitted to Institute of Chartered Accountants, since 1959.
Treasurer, Yass Music Club, 2008-2014.
Member, State Council, Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Member, Yass Rostrum Club, for over 50 years.
Treasurer, Yass and District Historical Society, 1982-1986.
Treasurer, Yass Nursing Home Committee, for 8 years.
Established Horton House Nursing Home, opened in 1992.