By Mikayla van Loon
Every year Yarra Ranges Council recognises a member in the community who has shown outstanding leadership by way of the Ian De La Rue award.
This year Mooroolbark’s Geoff Earney was selected by the Mayor and his peers for his involvement with a number of volunteer organisations and community groups.
Nominated by Mount Evelyn based historian Anthony McAleer OAM, he said towns need people like Mr Earney.
“Every town needs a Geoff Earney, someone with the passion and dedication to progressing the lives of those who call it home in so many practical ways.”
Most notably it was his start with the Ferny Creek Scouts that put Mr Earney on the path to leadership, becoming a Scout Master at a young age.
From there he joined the Ferny Creek Fire Brigade to follow in his father’s footsteps where he worked to save the community in the 1962 Dandenong Ranges Bushfires.
As a young man, Mr Earney served in the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, in the
Vietnam War, and was one of the last Australian troops to leave Nui Dat.
Upon returning to Australia, Mr Earney joined the Mooroolbark Fire Brigade where he spent 30 years serving his community, 12 of those as captain and received a life membership for his work.
Later he joined the Mooroolbark Chamber of Commerce and Mooroolbark Traders Association, as well as taking over the family business in Methven-Professionals Real Estate.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said nearly every progressive community organisation has benefited from Mr Earney’s contributions.
“Geoff has supported and sponsored numerous community groups, charities and individuals through his work, all throughout showing a deep commitment to his community,” he said.
Upon receiving the award at the Australia Day ceremony, Mr Earney said he was humbled by the nomination.
“I’m really honored and humbled to be given this award. I’m somewhat surprised because I don’t think what I do is anything special,” he said.
“When I was elected captain of the Mooroolbark CFA in 1984, one of the firemen said to me, you are nothing without us and that’s stuck with me for all of my life.
“I’ve never forgotten those words and I’m very fortunate that everything I’ve done, I’ve always been supported by a great group of people.”
Mr Earney also thanked his family, colleagues and friends for the support they have shown him because he said with them the work he has done could not have been possible.
