Tom and Nancy Strickland OAM

 

Tom has been a member of Coffs Rotary Club for many years (not sure of the numbers).  Article submitted by Grahame Kell

 

YOU might not have heard of them - but they've done more for your community than most public heroes put together.

Today, local life-long achievers Tom and Nancy Strickland will be honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia for their incredible dedication as community volunteers.

"I'm very surprised, and very humbled," Tom said.

"I like to do things in the background.

"To have it suddenly out in front is a bit daunting."

Since its inception in 1975, the Australia Day honours list has aimed to elevate the concept of giving to others, a concept which the Stricklands have held as a guiding principle all their lives.

Since their marriage in 1961, the couple has volunteered across a broad range of fields.

In fact, they met at Coffs TAFE in 1958, when both volunteered in the student association.

By the time they were married they'd already begun the youth work that would eventually turn into the life-affirming charity Camp Quality.

"For me it began when I was eight and I made my Wolf Cub promise: to do a good turn for somebody every day," Tom said.

"We want to see a better place for people to live in," Nancy said.

Officially launched in 1985, one of the couple's greatest achievements was setting up Camp Quality, which grew from a grassroots organisation into a massive institution, helping thousands of children suffering from cancer, and their loved ones, to lead full lives.

But their greatest untold achievement, according to both Tom and Nancy, was advising the Wongala Aboriginal Housing Co-op Board for 10 years, from 1973.

"My heart ached for the Aboriginal people, and the conditions on the Wongala Estate," Tom said.

"The people had never been consulted about what was built.

"We wanted to encourage them to take ownership of the project, so they wouldn't feel it was another gratuitous imposition."

Extensive consultation with the people of Wongala, often over a cup of tea in the living room of the Stricklands' home, helped with the construction of a new community, completed almost 10 years later.

"It's a great untold story, and I still drive past (the estate) and smile."

Despite the many years of volunteering, the gloss hasn't worn off, and likely will always remain.

Their energy and enthusiasm for their community, and their affection for each other, is obvious.

They both gave thanks to all the people they've met in their 54 years of community involvement.

"For everything you do, the rewards far outweigh the effort you put in - it's the ripple effect," Nancy said.