MONEGEETA resident Graham Barker has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community as a supporter of charitable and social welfare organisations.
The 74-year-old said he was surprised to learn about the honour.
"I didn't have any idea anyone would have it in their mind. It's a very definite honour and it's satisfying to feel that what we have tried to do is seen as being valuable."
In 1960, Mr Barker and wife Sheila started a small manufacturing business at their home in Ivanhoe.
From just three people, Mr Barker said the company, called Component Industries, grew.
The couple grew up as members of the Salvation Army in Fairfield and as their company became profitable, they changed it to a not-for-profit structure so that its proceeds could be used to help others.
Gospel Resource Limited was born with rules to prevent anyone ever owning it and taking profit from it.
As chairman of Gospel Resource since 1975, Mr Barker said the dedicated and loyal team which endorsed what the company stood for were "the ones who make it happen".
Some of the organisations that have benefited include Concern Australia, Broadmeadows Uniting Care, Open House Community Centre, Tear Australia and World Vision Australia.
Mr Barker said his charity and social welfare work had come naturally. "I've been so magnificently loved that it's just natural to want to return something. I'm just an ordinary bloke trying to do what I reckon God wants us all to do - love one another, and champion people in real need. That's what Jesus seemed to be on about. "
Anyone involved in engineering or metal trades with similar interests can contact Graham at gb@componentindustries.com.au
* Monegeeta resident David Allen has been awarded an Australian Fire Service Medal as part of the Australia Day honours.
Mr Allen, who joined the CFA in 1974, has displayed commitment to his colleagues and the community as a volunteer and staff member in roles including lieutenant and deputy group officer during Ash Wednesday.
He has also been a group officer for the Romsey and District fire brigades since 1987 and was acting manager of community safety during the Black Saturday bushfires.
jessica.foulds@fa irfaxmedia.com.au
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