Few communities have among them such a tireless and enthusiastic contributor as Jean Hedington has been to Kyneton.
The local identity has been volunteering in the community for more than 50 years and was acknowledged for her service
with a Senior Achiever Award at the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards held at Government House in Melbourne last Monday.
Jean is a life member of three organisations – Vision Australia, the Kyneton Horticultural Society and the Kyneton Agricultural Society – and contributes to many other local organisations and causes.
In 1982 she was named the Shire of Kyneton’s very first Citizen of the Year and in 2002 was Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival Queen, with her husband Doug by her side as king.
Jean was a foundation treasurer for the RM Begg Auxiliary and is still an active member.
She has been a Uniting Church Op Shop volunteer for 40 years and volunteered raising funds for the Red Shield Appeal for 26 years, with the Kyneton branch under her organisation raising more per capita than any other branch.
The now 79-year-old served as treasurer for the Kyneton Daffodil Festival and is still an active volunteer, marshalling the cars for the parade for many years.
In past years she has been secretary of the Infant Welfare Centre, secretary of the Lady Brooks Kindergarten, and committee member and office bearer at Kyneton Primary and Kyneton High School.
Jean told the Express she had never taken on any of her volunteer roles for any reward other than the satisfaction that came with helping others.
“You get a lot of pleasure out of working for others,” she said.
“And Doug, whatever I’m working at he’s there too, and he should have been up there with me.
“Kyneton is a great place to live, we have a very caring and generous community here, I know that by seeing all that people give to the appeals and any fundraisers we have.”
Jean was nominated for the seniors awards by Linley Dettmann who said Jean’s passion for her town was infectious and she had passed this passion on to others.
“She has 35 people who volunteer with her to raise funds for Vision Australia,” Linley said.
“Her ability to inspire her fellow volunteers shows she is an inspiring team player.”
Jean was also awarded a prestigious John Fawkner Medal for her service to the Kyneton Horticultural Society at the Kyneton Botanic Gardens Jubilee last Sunday week.
KHS president Nicholas Scott said Jean had served the society for more than 43 years.
“She is a fine example of what community spirit is all about in a small country town,” Mr Scott said.
