1986 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – DES MCKENNA
Des and Carmel McKenna came to Upper Beaconsfield 16 years ago from Camberwell with their young family. Des had been awarded a life membership for his services to the East Camberwell football Club and a service award for his work with the area’s cubs and scouts. Since coming here he has also received a service award for his scouts and cubs involvement at Beaconsfield over many years. He was an instigator of the establishment of St. Francis Xavier school in Beaconsfield and is Chairman of the School Board. He is also an enthusiastic member of St. Michael’s Church, Berwick, and a member of its finance board.
Des has had a long and valuable period as Secretary of the Beaconsfield Junior Football Club and President of the South West Gippsland Football League and has been made a life member of both. He has served for about ten years on the Upper Beaconsfield Hall Committee and been President for many years.
I met Des in 1978 during my first few weeks as Postmaster. He was wielding a paint brush at the Hall, taking part in updating the toilet block, one of many working bees in which he was involved over those difficult years for Hall finance.
With Peter Meeking, Des was responsible for the moves for water reticulation in Upper Beaconsfield.
After a last ditch fight, the McKenna family lost their home, Innisfree, in St. Georges Rd., on Ash Wednesday. They have since rebuilt on the same site. The Blessing of their new house, held on a stormy evening in 1983, was attended by some 500 friends, family and neighbours; it was a great occasion and a shot in the arm for the community – one which I won’t forget easily.
The community is the richer for leaders and workers of the calibre of Des McKenna. The effects of his life and work, particularly in the character-building of young people, have been and are of incalculable value. We salute you, Des McKenna, and thank you for your selfless service to Upper Beaconsfield and the wider community
Awarded 15 Mar 1986