By Mikayla van Loon and Dongyun Kwon
Leadership, dedication, understanding and community passion are words best used to describe the Yarra Ranges Ian De La Rue Award for Community Leadership recipient of 2024.
Mooroolbark’s Randall Bourchier was as humble as ever to receive the recognition on Friday 26 January.
“To say that I was surprised to receive this award would be an understatement because I never really considered myself as a leader but simply part of a group of people committed to the same end,” he said.
“I’ve lived in Mooroolbark for decades and I’ve been involved in the community and it’s been a delight to have a wonderful team of like minded people who want to bring benefit to our township and to the people living and working in it.”
But community work wasn’t always part of Mr Bourchier’s life. As a young man he found himself in a dire position and it was only through faith that he found his way out.
“For me, it was doubly surprising because as a 20 year old, I found myself, as a result of my willfulness, sitting in a prison cell, and from that beginning you wouldn’t anticipate the years of working in community in a positive way,” he said.
“Many people would consider that a retrograde and a foolish step but at that point, I became a Christian and that gave me a whole new outlook on life.”
Although not recognising himself as a leader, Mr Bourchier has mentored young people with KidsHope, led the congregation at Grace Communion Mooroolbark as a pastor and most notably helped establish the Mooroolbark Umbrella Group (MUG).
“[It] is a group of member organisations and people who have the similar goal of wanting to enhance the wellbeing and the thriving of Mooroolbark.
“The logo is instructive because it’s an upside down umbrella. So it’s cradling the other things that are in Mooroolbark rather than trying to control or necessarily initiate.
“It’s looking at what the various groups are doing and seeing what it is that we can do to enhance and encourage and support.”
MUG formed in 2009 and Mr Bourchier has remained president to this day.
Understanding the importance of recognising the achievements of others, Mr Bourchier was instrumental in establishing the The Quiet Achiever Awards.
Wanting to continue the important work of others, Mr Bourchier, along with a team of volunteers, ensured the Goodness Gracious Network, formerly Nourish Network, could continue delivering food to families in need.
Similarly, upon hearing of the retirement of the former editor of Mooroolbark’s Living Today magazine, Janet Van Dijk, Mr Bourchier continued “to highlight and celebrate the good things about Mooroolbark and its people”.
Mr Bourchier, through MUG, has also been heavily involved in the setting up of Shop 16 at the Mooroolbark Terrace which acts as a drop in centre and community space, as well as helping organise the Celebrate Mooroolbark festival.
His nominator for the award noted his “words of wisdom, guidance, support, mentorship and encouragement” as key qualities that have inspired so many others to move through life in a similar way.
“For more than 35 years, Randall has been an approachable, empathetic and energised community leader,” the Yarra Ranges Council’s award citation said.
“His work has inspired countless others to get involved in their community, and he has welcomed new volunteers, mentored them and helped them take the reins of initiatives.”
Spreading kindness, support and friendship to those going through challenging times has been ever present in Mr Bourchier’s work but more so after the 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires, where he was on the ground as a chaplain, a role he has remained in for the last 15 years.
Grateful to have been supported by his community and the Yarra Ranges Council throughout his years of volunteering, Mr Bourchier had one person to thank in particular.
“I couldn’t have done it without my wife, we’ve just celebrated 50 years of marriage and she was a very foolish woman to say yes, 50 years ago, but she stuck with me, which is even more surprising.
“So she’s just been a wonderful help and support and partner in all of this and our family has been very supportive and encouraging. I’d have to thank them too.”
