Shepparton and Tallygaroopna stalwart Geoffrey Thompson.
Photo by
Taylah Baker
“People have suggested, ‘Oh, you deserve an award’, but I never thought that would happen — and then all of a sudden, I got this letter.”
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The recipient was long-time Shepparton and Tallygaroopna stalwart Geoffrey Thompson.
The contents? News that he had been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.
The honour recognises Mr Thompson’s service to the communities of Shepparton and Tallygaroopna, acknowledging more than five decades of volunteer work spanning education, faith, civic life and community organisations.
“There’s something special that we in my family always say: ‘If you live in a community, you should be part of that community’,” he said.
“My father used to say it, and my grandfather — they were greatly involved in the community, too.”
Mr Thompson followed closely in their footsteps, spending 26 years on the Tallygaroopna Soldiers’ Memorial Hall committee and becoming its third-generation president, following both his father and grandfather.
That legacy continues today, with his son now serving as the fourth-generation president.
Geoffrey Thompson and his son Heath were awarded certificates at the Tallygaroopna Soldiers’ Memorial Hall’s centenary celebration in 2024.
Equally significant was his involvement in education.
Elected to the Tallygaroopna Primary School committee in 1969, Mr Thompson later served as president until 1979, when the governance structure transitioned from a committee to a council.
“I then became the first chairman of the Tallygaroopna school council when it changed,” he said.
Mr Thompson chaired the committee responsible for delivering the school’s centenary celebrations and a three-day ‘Back to Tallygaroopna’ weekend in 1990, which attracted more than 1200 former students and visitors back to the town.
His service extends to the Shepparton Uniting Church, where he has held various long-standing roles, including as treasurer, council member, and former convenor of the church’s op shop.
“Since I had been involved, the shop had raised more than $500,000 for the church and its mission,” he said.
Today, the main organisation Mr Thompson remains actively involved with is Freemasons Victoria.
Shepparton Lodge, Freemasons Victoria, 2023 members Neville Doyle, Ron Caple, Geoff Thompson, Bruce Bartrop, and Eric Jensen.
Alongside holding ceremonial and leadership roles, he takes pride in currently being the highest-ranked Freemason in the Goulburn Valley.
Even so, receiving an OAM stands apart.
“I’m going to get teary,” he said.
“It’s just wonderful.”
Mr Thompson would like to thank his new wife, Beverley, for her support.
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