VILLAGE PUMP
The Samford Progress Association’s free community newspaper printed continuously since 1977.
The
@TheVillagePumpSamford
“Your Community Newspaper, owned by the Samford Community and produced for the benefit of the Samford Community.” 18 FEBRUARY 2022
P: 0477 663 696
E: editor@villagepump.org.au NEXT DEADLINE THURSDAY 24/02/2022
OAM HONOUR FOR TWO BOBS
On 26th January 2022, ordinary Australians who have done extraordinary things in their communities were recognised in the Australia Day Awards, as has been the tradition since 1975. We are thrilled that two respected locals were amongst the 545 Australians awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for ‘service worthy of particular recognition’. Dr Robert (Bob) Edwards OAM of Camp Mountain was honoured for his service to medicine as a thoracic physician, and Robert (Bob) Millar OAM of Samford Village for his service to the community through a range of organisations. Australia Day Awards are peer nominated and award recipients come from all walks of life. What they have in common is that ‘they have left an indelible, remarkable imprint across our community, professional and public sectors’ – and this is certainly true or these two Bobs. An unfulfilled dream of this Bob’s father to become a surgeon was the motivation for Dr Edwards OAM to undertake a degree in Medicine. Graduating in 1969, his first rotation at the Royal Brisbane Hospital was in Emergency where he witnessed and treated many patients with Asthma. “In 1970 there were two Thoracic
Specialists in Brisbane, and preventative therapy was not available.” Having suffered badly and been hospitalised on many occasions with ‘bronchitis’ as a child, “in retrospect it was asthma”, Bob chose the specialist path of Thoracic medicine, training for an additional 7 years to become a Thoracic Physician. Bob’s father had a dairy farm in Samford in the 1950’s and along with lovely wife Penny, they were both attracted to the area having spent time here as children. Their Samford life together began in 1977 and their three children Victoria, Charles and Timothy all attended Samford State School. Over the last 45 years, Bob believes the practice of medicine now has a far better scientific basis than previously. Asked about the biggest changes he has observed, he said: “The development of new drugs and better understanding of diseases such as Asthma and Lung Cancer, as well as new technologies (CT and MRI Scanner) and the ability to determine tumour markers in Lung Cancer, enabling personalised treatment.” Dr Edwards OAM is immensely proud to be honoured, acknowledging his Chairmanship of the Australian Lung Foundation from its inception in 1989 until 2012, as the basis for his nomination. T he famous quote “if you want something done, ask a busy person” is a fitting introduction to Bob Millar OAM. This Bob is familiar to many in and around Samford for his dedication over 16 years as a local Councillor and many, many more
years before, during and since as a tireless volunteer for Samford Rural Fire Brigade, Rotary Club of Samford Valley, Samford and Brendale Community Banks (Bendigo Bank) and the Samford Avenue of Honour – to name a few. It was actually Bob’s community engagement which provided a springboard for his decision to step into public service. “His organisational skills and ability to get the job done are second to none. This was the case when he was combining his voluntary activities at the same time as being a Councillor, and remains so today, as he continues to play a significant role when illness permits,” said fellow Samford Rotarian Ian Ruffles. “He loves his community and has earned its respect.” “I am feeling so honoured that some felt so moved to nominate me. I am but a small cog in a great community where we have so many people giving so freely of their time and energies for the betterment of others and our broader community,” said Bob. Both men acknowledged the unwavering support of family which enabled them to achieve so much. Samford seems to attract a myriad of talented, generous and dedicated people and we are privileged to add these two Bobs to that list. Dr Edwards image: Qld Respiratory Services
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