Yarrawonga Chronicle Tuesday 9 January 1973 Don Forbes – Yarrawonga’s First B.E.M.

Since the Queen’s New Year Honours List was announced on 1st January 1973 congratulations have been showered upon Don Forbes from well wishes all over Australia.

Among them are congratulations from Sir Rowan Delacombe, Victorian Premier (Hon. R. J. Hamer) and local Parliamentarians.

Don Forbes’ B.E.M. is believed to be the first of such civic titles to be awarded to a Yarrawonga resident for service to the local community.

The “Chronicle” had the honour of assisting in compiling statistics on Don Forbes’ community service record (unbeknown to Don) for presentation to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

We found our columns over the last half a century crammed with reports of the great work done by this outstanding community leader.

The name of Donald Couche Forbes is regarded by many as being synonymous with Yarrawonga, a town in which he was born 71 years ago and since lived, a town which boasts its greatest progress during his lifetime.

That Yarrawonga’s development has to a great degree stemmed from the work, drive and influence of D.C. Forbes is a recognised fact among local citizens. His continual unselfish interests in town affairs, his readiness to accept responsible positions of leadership, his personal assistance and guidance to both young and old; these qualities have won for him a reputation of a great town man, and honour as the town’s leading citizen.

Seventy-one years’ association with Yarrawonga, 38 of them in business, had made Don C. Forbes an authority on Yarrawonga, and his knowledge and advice are called upon frequently, Yarrawonga’s first history booklet, published in 1968 contains many of his writings.

Don Forbes’ Belmore Street, office is a centre of many callers from near and far, not only for those on business, but for equally as many who seek his advice on a host of matters, or perhaps a lead on something in Yarrawonga’s past. May be it’s a legal document to sign or advice on a legal matter in his honorary capacity as a Justice of the Peace, a position in which he has served the public for 24 years.

Don’s doors have always been open to all callers.

Maybe this is the reason why his office is a beacon to where unceasing enquiries are directed, bookings made for charitable functions, donations for charity are left and scores of other happenings occur that make his life busier no doubt than most businessmen.

Don’s motto is to assist Yarrawonga’s progress and to make it a good town in which to live, and his efforts go far beyond his practical work for town advancement.

Assisted youth

Apart from his outstanding work for children and elderly folk, who perpetually lean on him for advice and assistance, there’s a part of his life that had made him a giant of Community Service, about which he never talks – helping to rehabilitate youths on the right path of life.

There’s many a young man today who can look back and thank Don C. Forbes for “acting for them” and guiding them to manhood in his capacity as a Probation Officer for the Yarrawonga Children’s Court a position from which he resigned a few years ago after serving society for 31 years.

But he has not resigned as a Justice of the Peace and to this day conducts hearings at the local Magistrate’s Court and officiates at inquests in the capacity as Deputy Coroner.

Outstanding

Don C. Forbes’ work for Yarrawonga Ambulance Service is one of his most outstanding achievements in community service to Yarrawonga and District.

Thirty-seven years of continual service is a magnificent reflection on his work, especially when considering his contribution to scores other worthy causes and organisations during the same period.

When the local Ambulance Service was commenced in 1935, Mr Forbes was the first secretary, and after obtaining his St. John’s Bronze Medallion, was the voluntary driver for twelve years, - and ambulances and roads in those days were not like they are today.

The Yarrawonga branch was taken over by North Eastern Ambulance Service some years ago but Don’s interest has remained steadfast. Of the 37 years he has been associated with the Ambulance Service, he has served as president for 33 of them. He was honoured with Life Membership some years ago.

The new ambulance station and residence in Lynch Street is a memorial to his leadership.

Lengthy service

Lengthy service to worthwhile community organisations occupies a big part of Don Forbes’ life story. He is the only surviving Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Yarrawonga-Mulwala chartered on 13th June, 1946 a club in which he has held most portfolios, including president and charter secretary.

He was a giant of community service and was the first secretary of the Yarrawonga Foreshore Committee, formed 26 years ago, and has served as treasurer for four years on this committee, which is comprised of local residents who work voluntarily for the development of the Lake Foreshore and aquatic sports in Yarrawonga.

Don Forbes’ virtual “marriage” to local community development, which has characterised his life, has meant a lot to Yarrawonga’s progress.

In his professional capacity as manager of the local Grove Picture co., whose profits are devoted to the improvement and beautification of Yarrawonga and district, Don Forbes has been able to offer valuable recommendations in regard to the allocation of funds totalling over $150,000 over a period of 38 years.

In his early life, Don Forbes was a great worker for Yarrawonga Hospital, of which he now a Life governor. He was the first secretary of the hospital, a position he held for six years.

Sport also has snatched a large portion of Don Forbes’ time, leadership, ability and drive. His outstanding contribution to tennis resulted in Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club conferring Life Membership honours upon him. He was president of the club for two years and secretary for 12 years.

Yarrawonga Football Club also made him a life member in recognition of his work for the club over many years, which has included being secretary for three years and honorary auditor over a long, continuous period to this day.

His past treasureships include that of Yarrawonga Band, Yarrawonga St. Patrick’s Sports club (12 years), Yarrawonga St. Vincent de Paul Society (8 years), and the Yarrawonga and Border Golf Club (2 years).

Other secretaryships not mentioned previously include that of Yarrawonga Branch of the Hibernian Society (18 years), Yarrawonga Branch Wheat and Wool Growers’ Association (2 years), Sustenance Committee (2 years). Yarrawonga Turf Club (12 years), Yarrawonga St. Patrick’s race club (12 years), Yarrawonga Bush Fire Brigade (3 years), Yarrawonga-Mulwala Coursing Club (3 years), Yarrawonga Voluntary Systematic giving

Donald Couche Forbes, 71, has brought honour to himself and Yarrawonga by being awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of his Community Service.

Scheme (during the war years), Yarrawonga Co-operative Housing Society (2 years), and Yarrawonga Associated Bakers (4 Years).

Demanding role

Back in the late 1930s Don was to accept one of his most demanding secretarial roles. It lasted for almost two years and culminated in the mammoth Back to Yarrawonga celebrations of 1939 – a well-remembered event.

Twenty-nine years later (1968) Yarrawonga had another ‘Back To’. It was held upon the suggestion of Don Forbes who was early to pin-point 1968 as being the Centenary of Yarrawonga’s first town survey. Don was first to volunteer for the ‘Back To’ committee and unfolded his past ‘Back To’ records which were in inestimable value to conducting the event.

These are but some of the highlights of Donald Couche Forbes’ life in Yarrawonga’s. His entire life reflects devotion to worthwhile causes, assistance to those in need and an ever-present preparedness to give to the limit of his capacity where community development has been involved.

This Chronicle could not fully cover the work of such an outstanding citizen, whose hidden good works would no doubt far exceed those that are visible – perhaps in his role as an amateur photographer, representative for Press, radio and television or as a musician in years gone by.

It is felt that he has at all times unselfishly given of his time, expecting no reward other than the knowledge that he has served society, his fellowman, and his town.

The ‘Chronicle’ joins the whole district in saying congratulations and well-done Don Forbes, B.E.M., J.P. and THANK YOU.