Noel Ling – 2013
Noel has lived in Upper Beaconsfield since moving from Wantirna South in 1988 with his family, wife Noeline and sons Matthew and James. He was involved in the Scouts in Wantirna South and served as Scout Leader there for six years.
Soon after moving to Upper Beaconsfield Noel became involved in the Scouts and since then with many groups in the community. He is a loving and dedicated family man with a love of gardening, caring for his beautiful property and a keen interest in the local community and public life.
Noel’s community involvement includes:
• He joined the Scout Committee in 1990 and served the group until 1994. He was the Scout Group nominee on the Recreation Reserve Committee for much of that time.
• He joined the Upper Beaconsfi eld Association soon aft er taking up residency in Upper Beaconsfield and was elected to the UBA Committee in 2006, taking on the role of secretary in 2010. He continues to be actively involved in the UBA. Noel was instrumental in having the Community Notice Board erected in the town centre.
• As part of his commitment to the UBA Noel joined the Village Bell Editorial Committee in 2007. His organisational skills came to the fore when he took on the coordination of the collating and distribution of the Village Bell. He has refined and improved the collating procedures and always makes sure the hall supper area is available for collating and volunteers are reminded of the date and time of the collating. He ensures that materials are available and all is in readiness for the collating of the 1300 copies of the Bell. Noel’s
knowledge of the people and groups in the community is invaluable in planning the content of the Village Bell.
• Noel was an active member of the Upper Beaconsfield Village Festival Committee until recently. Once again his passion for community events and community building came to the fore.
• Noel is one of the people who help to prepare for and run the Carols by Candlelight each Christmas Eve.
• Noel’s most recent involvement has been with the Upper Beaconsfield Men’s Shed. He is a founding member and a key contributor to the early stages of the development of the group. He joined the inaugural Men’s Shed Committee and has been its secretary for more than two years. Noel brings a high level of competency with computers to the role of Secretary. He has been thorough in preparing agendas and worksheets for the meetings, and in keeping records of all meetings and matters concerning membership. He constantly
accesses notices and information for the Men’s Shed from local government, other groups in the community and from State and National Men’s Shed associations. His skills in developing submissions for funding have succeeded in attracting significant funds for the Men’s Shed. In two years the Men’s Shed has been able to acquire and locate its meeting room and connect all services to the building. It is not unrealistic to say that this could not have been achieved without the key involvement of Noel Ling at every stage.
Noel’s involvement in the Upper Beaconsfield Community has been exemplary and highly valued. His perceptiveness and responsiveness to local issues gives him special insight into the needs of the community and the ways in which these needs can be addressed. He then follows up his proposals most thoroughly in gathering information and developing pathways for decision making and working the proposals through to completion.
As well as his commitment to family and to community groups, Noel has personal links with many individuals in the community and shows concern and practical help where it is needed. He is well deserving of the Citizen of the Year award.
Congratulations, Noel