There’s hardly a person in Kyneton who doesn’t know Marg Dearricott.
In perhaps her best known role as the long-running secretary of the Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival, Ms Dearricott has been front and centre in celebrating her close-knit community for the past 18 years.
It’s that commitment to community that has seen her awarded an Order of Australia Medal in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Ms Dearricott told the Express that her 18 years’ service as the secretary of the Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival had been a joy.
“The coming together of every person and every group through our festival celebrates our town life and is a terrific contribution to the area’s growth and progress,” she said.
Ms Dearricott has a long list of other community service too.
She was a founding member of the Friends of Kyneton Botanic Gardens, secretary of the Kyneton Branch of the Australian Labor Party for many years, and charter member of the Zonta Club of Kyneton.
She was the former president of Kyneton Primary Parents Club and a former member of the School Council.
Ms Dearricott is co-editor of the Kyneton Connect newsletter and was former secretary of the Kyneton District Business and Tourism Association (now Business Kyneton), and has held numerous voluntary roles in community organisations over decades.
For her outstanding community service, she also received a Macedon Ranges Shire Community Achievement Award in 2011 and a Centenary Medal in 2001.
Ms Dearricott said she had been very happy to work in partnership with many great people over the years.
“My husband Eric and I have lived in Kyneton for 40 years and have enjoyed the friendship of Kyneton’s connected community in so many ways,” she said.
“I have progressed through many stages of involvement, first in the school community within the Parents Club and School Council and chairing the region’s School Improvement Committee, serving on committees for youth employment, as secretary of the Business and Tourism Association, my work as an electorate officer over 26 years, and 28 years in Kyneton’s Zonta International Club.
“We do not do any of these things on our own. Working with organistions such as Zonta and Kyneton Connections and the Kyneton Connect newsletter is a great opportunity to advocate for change and improvements for the wellbeing of everyone.
“We make such great friendships along the way,” she said.
