Long time radio journalist and music enthusiast Tim Holt of Bega, and Pharmaceutical Society of Australia instigator Terence Irvine of Bermagui have been awarded an Order of Australia – one of the country’s highest honours.
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“I cried, I couldn’t believe it,” 66-year-old Mr Holt said after hearing of his nomination.
“I just find it surreal, because I was just doing what I loved, I was able to bring stories to people about community that are important and life changing.”
While at Punchbowl Boy’s High in the 1960s, Mr Holt said he became fascinated with radio DJ Ward "Pally" Austin, who introduced him to artists like Buddy Holly and The Rolling Stones.
I think Australia generally could be very generous with the oil treaty we’re working on with Timor.
- Tim Holt OAM
After landing a slot with station Radio DJ in 1969 as a 19-year-old, Mr Holt was making pre-recorded tapes for the military, with a mix of news and music.
“Unbeknownst to me they were putting together audition tapes and sending them around Australia,’ he said with a laugh.
One of the tapes landed him a job with Radio 2BE in Bega, so he jumped in his car and never looked back.
“It was the furthest I’d ever driven in my life,” he said.
Twenty five years later he had “had enough of commercial radio” and landed a role as a Saturday morning presenter on ABC Radio South East.
“Ironically I applied for an ABC job in 1969, but didn’t make the grade,” he said with a smile.
“They played half a dozen classical records and you had to pick them, I had no chance.”
Mr Holt also has an interest in social and political issues, and is a member of the Bega Valley Advocates for Timor Leste.
After interviewing the band Wild Pumpkins at Midnight in the 1980s, one of their songs opened his eyes to the plight of Australia’s small island neighbour.
“I think Australia generally could be very generous with the oil treaty we’re working on with Timor,” he said.
“My personal opinion is we should give them all the money, but that’s unlikely to happen.”
I’m surprised my career has been acknowledged, and am appreciative of it,
- Terence Irvine OAM
Mr Irvine said he felt “proud” and “quite surprised” after hearing of his award.
In the late 1970s the now 83-year-old was living in the Northern Territory and helped bring state and territory pharmacy boards together as a national body.
Born in Sydney, he was a member of the Darwin City Council Planning Committee and president of Darwin Rotary Club before taking over the Cobargo Pharmacy in 2005.
“I’m surprised my career has been acknowledged, and am appreciative of it,” he said.
When he joined the profession in the 1950s “mixtures” would be made from scratch, and he said many of the skills involved in the role have disappeared as larger chain stores have joined the market.
“They know less about chemistry than I had to,” he said.
“The big change is people are on multiple medications, so part of the challenge is in dealing with the combinations.
“It’s the role of a pharmacist to make sure none of it is hazardous.”
Despite receiving dialysis treatment three days a week at the South East Regional Hospital, Mr Irvine is enjoying the “ocean views” of his Bermagui retirement since leaving his Cobargo pharmacy eight years ago.
“It was a very pleasant experience being in Cobargo,” he said.
Returned and Services League of Australia life membership holder Peter McMahon of Cooma also received the prestigious award for his service to veterans and their families.
