Guildford Grumpies ‘legend’ Ray Pattle has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the community of Guildford.
The 82-year-old said he was humbled to receive the award and thanked the Grumpies and fellow community members who had put his name forward for the honour.
“I was in two minds whether to accept it at first. I feel like there are lots of incredible volunteers working behind the scenes to make things happen in our little community. But then I thought about how proud my late wife Lynne Elaine would be and our children and I chose to accept it,” he said.
Ray and Lynne purchased their block in the tiny hamlet 30 years ago and settled there 25 years ago after building their dream home.
“I recall the real estate agent at the time didn’t exactly sell us on Guildford stating ‘all drains lead to Guildford and that’s where the rubbish ends up’ but we weren’t deterred. They couldn’t have been more wrong. Our experience here has been nothing but sheer joy,” Ray said.
“As a former accountant at an aircraft factory, of course I was soon approached to take on a treasurer’s role at one of the local organisations and it just rolled on from there. Being a small village, I soon found myself on a raft of committees.”
In fact, the Express noted Ray’s pile of laptops during our visit!
The long list of groups he has supported over the years include: Guildford Fire Brigade, Guildford Hall Committee, Guildford History Group, John Powell Reserve Committee, Guildford Banjo Jamboree, Save Our Store’ campaign – Guildford Co-op, Guildford Primary School re-opening support group, and the Guildford Anzac Day Dawn Commemoration Service organising group just to name a few.
Ray was a founding member of the Guildford Grumpies Social Club, which later evolved into a car club and became an official branch of the Men’s Shed movement.
“We started out as 10 members enjoying a beer at the Guildford Hotel and have expanded to have our own clubhouse and 150 plus members today,” Ray said.
“We are proud supporters of the former Apex Club of Castlemaine’s annual Santa Run helping fund them to reach all the outlying villages, and more recently we have assisted with uniforms and fees for the newly reopened Guildford Primary School campus.”
Ray is also passionate about history and is a member of the Guildford Cemetery Trust and has co-authored three books on local histories with noted historian Ken James including: Guildford Cemetery: Commemorating 150 Years Since the First Burial 1871- 2021, A History of Guildford, and A History of Tarilta.
“A lot of people wouldn’t even know where the cemetery is and ask me why would you want to volunteer for that! But it’s a beautiful cemetery that holds so much history and it’s fascinating,” he said.
He was also awarded a ‘National Emergency Medal’ for the role he played with the Guildford CFA when they offered ground support the day after the tragic 2009 Black Saturday fires in which 173 people lost their lives.
In addition to his contribution to the Guildford community Ray has also volunteered with the Castlemaine Historical Society Inc and is currently a volunteer patient transport driver at Dhelkaya Health.
Ray has also had a long-time involvement with the CFA, and he and late wife Lynne were also foster carers in late 70s and early 80s taking in babies and children who needed a loving home.
“We mostly cared for babies whose mum had made the difficult decision to give them up for adoption. They had a month in which they could change their minds and we cared for the babies in the interim so prospective foster parents wouldn’t get attached if the birth mother had a change of heart. We cared for about 25 babies and children. Fortunately, these days there are a lot more supports available for young women in that position,” he said.
Ray is known as ‘The Legend’ among the Grumpies as he has faced just about every test and trial one can face.
“In 2010 we nearly lost our son Darrus to pneumococcal disease but fortunately he pulled through. He lost a leg and had to learn to walk again. However, that wasn’t good enough so he has since learnt to run with the assistance of a former Olympian.
“I lost my beautiful wife Lynne Elaine after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer in 2020 during the height of the covid pandemic. We lost three Guildford residents within a fortnight. It was a terrible period but I am so grateful for the support I have received from my community.
“And just last year my daughter Sloane had to be medevaced home to Australia from Cambodia after an accident that saw her seriously injured. But fortunately she made a full recovery.
“People ask me why I volunteer as a patient transport driver? This is my way of giving back to the Australian medical system that has given my family so much,” he said.
“I’d really encourage anyone who has thought about volunteering to give it a go. Most of these little groups only meet for an hour four times a year. They are all lovely people and it makes its so easy to volunteer. It is incredibly rewarding and not only enriches the community but your own life. It has been nothing but a joy,” he said.
