If there was ever a reason to use a version of this cliché, it’s when talking about Ken Martin.
Despite leaving Coleambally to be closer to family two years ago, Mr Martin remains connected to the community by completing various local volunteer roles remotely.
Plus, he visits as often as he can.
This dedication has earned him the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.
It specifically relates to his “service to the Coleambally community”.
Mr Martin came to the community during his banking career.
It took him through 16 towns across NSW, an experience he says helped shape his approach to community life.
“You realise that you have to put yourself out there and get involved to meet people, so when I got to Coly the opportunity was there through volunteering,” he said.
“I like to think that I retained some of the better methods and processes that were exhibited.”
Mr Martin lived in Coleambally from 1997 until 2024.
Over nearly three decades, Mr Martin’s name became synonymous with community service.
He was involved with the Country Education Foundation of Coleambally/Darlington Point, the Darlington Point Coleambally RSL Sub-Branch, Lions Club of Coleambally, Coleambally Golf Club and the Western Riverina Golf Association, earning Life Membership in the last three.
He also served as honorary auditor for several local organisations and as a Justice of the Peace for 47 years.
His long involvement with the RSL Sub‑Branch included 25 years as secretary and treasurer and conducting Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services.
He introduced Coleambally’s first dawn service in 1998 - an event that grew from nine attendees to now more than 150.
As the inaugural secretary of the Country Education Foundation branch, he helped provide grants to young people pursuing further education away from home.
At the Coleambally Golf Club he held positions of president, secretary/treasurer and captain over 15 years, contributing to the development of the course.
He also served 12 years as secretary/treasurer of the Western Riverina District Golf Association, and represented the region on the Golf NSW Council for six years.
“This award is not solely mine,” Mr Martin said.
“I’ve been on some wonderful committees, and also my wife, Carolyn - this award is partly hers.”
The OAM is not Mr Martin’s first award for his community service.
He was Coleambally’s Citizen of the Year in 2006 and Riverina Volunteer of the Year in 2013, and he received the 2018 Katie Walker Outstanding Service Award from the Country Education Foundation.
“I believe it is terribly important that people are aware of the tireless service so many volunteers provide, particularly in rural areas where resources are limited,” Mr Martin said.
“The survival of these organisations often depends on locals stepping up.”
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