Local Heroes
We all know people who make valuable and substantial contributions to our community. If you have a story you want to tell about somebody who you think should be recognised, please email us at eastsidernews1@gmail.com. But, don’t forget to ask them first – it is important that we respect the person’s desire for privacy.
Peter Warner OAM
This article is based on an article first published in the Camberwell Magpies Swoop Newsletter Round 3.5 edition, 2023/24 and other sources.
The Camberwell Magpies Cricket Club recently celebrated the wonderful cricketing career of Peter Warner OAM. With 67 years of service, Peter is arguably the clubs greatest ever servant.
He began his sporting journey as a player with the Camberwell Cricket Club in the 1959/60 season, where he went on to have a 25-year career in Camberwell’s senior elevens before retiring in 1984/1985. He played a major part in the merger of the Camberwell and Collingwood Cricket Clubs in 1996/97 that led to the formation of the Camberwell Magpies.
He has held many positions at the Club including four periods as President. He only settled for the very best and it was reflected in the success achieved on and off the field. The scoreboard at Camberwell Sports Ground is named after Peter, a fitting tribute to a man who has served the Camberwell sporting community like no other.
The celebration saw Peter presented with the Dick Menting Award from Bendigo Bank for his lifetime of service to the community. The award included a $500 prize for Peter and $5000 to be donated to our club! A fantastic achievement for an even better man.
Peter was a Director of Cricket Victoria for 13 years and of Cricket Australia for five years. He was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for services to Cricket and Australian Rules Football.
Peter, we thank you for everything you have done throughout your life to serve our great club and we will continue to honour your legacy as we strive for premiership glory. You have stuck with us through thick and thin, through a merger and many a struggle but your loyalty has triumphed above all. Congratulations on a wonderful career at Camberwell. You are forever a life member and legend of our club.
Thank you to Helen Fitzpatrick for the photos
Bob Stensholt – Mainstreet Australia Main Street Champion of the Year Award 2023
On Friday 19 May, the Mainstreet Australia Awards were held at the Greek Centre in Lonsdale St, Melbourne. President of the Ashburton Shopping Centre Traders Association, Bob Stensholt was a finalist in the Main Street Champion category, and was subsequently awarded the Mainstreet Australia Main Street Champion of the Year for 2023.
Bob provided strong leadership throughout the pandemic and was often sought after by Federal, State and Local Government for his clear views on what was happening to small businesses and how all levels of government could best assist them. To read more about Bob’s contribution, click here.
Marie Pietersz. Senior of the Year 2022 for the Promotion of Multiculturalism
On 26 October 2022, Boroondara resident Marie Pietersz was awarded the Senior of the Year 2022 Award for the Promotion of Multiculturalism by the Governor of Victoria, Hon Linda Dessau AC at Government House. This Award is given to an individual who has made a significant contribution to promoting the benefits of cultural diversity in their local community or in the broader community.
Pictured: Marie Pietersz with Minister Colin Brooks and Governor Linda Dessau at Government House on 26 October 2022
To read more of Marie’s story, please click here.
Dot Browne. Teacher, Athlete, Marathon Runner, dedicated community worker and family member.
Glenys Grant
Dot Browne (née Green) was awarded an OAM in the 1992 Australia Day Awards. Since then, she has continued to contribute to the community. Among her awards is a City of Whitehorse Australia Day Deakin Community Award, presented in 2008 for services in education, athletics and art. Dot’s life has seen many successes.
William (Bill) Chandler, OAM
The Eastsider News team is deeply saddened by the death of our founder, Bill Chandler on the morning of Sunday 24 July 2022.
Without Bill, there would not have been an Eastsider News.
Glen Waverley nurse, Alecx Quillope, named among top in Australia
Glen Waverley’s own Alecx Quillope was recently recognised in Australia’s leading nursing agency’s Inaugural Caring for You Core Values Awards.
Please click here to read more.
A giant in the table tennis world: Don Cheyne 
Neville Young
The Eastern Suburbs and Churches Table Tennis Association acknowledges the achievement of Don Cheyne who has contributed much to table tennis in this area and offers their congratulations to him for his 90th birthday.
To read more about Don, click here. If you would like to hear Don talk about his experiences please click here.
Vale Don Cheyne OAM
Don passed away peacefully at Monash Hospital on June 1st. Don was two weeks away from his 91st birthday. Don had been a volunteer of the Eastern Suburbs and Churches Table Tennis Association for an unbelievable 73 years.
Neville Young has submitted a tribute to Don which you can read here.
Air Commodore Peter Newton AO (Retd) – Sharing with Love
Longtime Blackburn resident, Peter Newton, instigated the establishment of Klibur Domin, a large health care centre outside Dili in East Timor following the brutal withdrawal of Indonesian troops. Klibur Domin (KD) means Sharing with Love in Tetum.
To read the full article about Peter Newton and his work in Timor Leste, please click here.
Daring to travel new paths – Neil Wilkinson’s political and ecumenical travels
Malcolm Cameron
David Williamson’s 1971 play Don’s Party caricatured the 1969 election night scene in the Victorian electorate of Holt with a plot descending into a raunchy ‘sixties’ farce. Eastsider News reader Neil Wilkinson was the ALP candidate for Holt in real life. This is his story. Click here to read more.
Annemieke Mein: from craft to art
It has been a challenging and creative life for Annemieke Mein. Born in Haarlem in 1944, when Germany still occupied Holland, she and her parents migrated to Australia in 1951 and became Australian citizens in 1956 …
Annemieke’s art is unique. She combines fabric, paint and sewing threads to produce works that are realistically accurate but that also breathe with life and action, and are emotionally breath-taking for the observer. It is difficult to categorise…. To read more about Annemieke, please click here.
Elizabeth Chong – The cooking teacher
By Matilda Bowra
After Elizabeth Chong accidentally became a cooking teacher, she turned into one of our first celebrity chefs, ran a successful cooking school for 58 years and was awarded an Order of Australia for the promotion of Chinese cuisine. When I met Elizabeth and heard her story, it didn’t seem at all surprising this vibrant woman had such an illustrious career, and is still embracing opportunities for new adventures.
To read more, please click here.
Carolyn Ingvarson – ACF Peter Rawlinson award 
Carolyn Ingvarson, a Boroondara resident and founding Convenor of the local climate action group, Lighter Footprints, was joint recipient of a national ACF (Australian Conservation Foundation) award in November 2021. To read more, please click here.
Arthur Tonkin hits a century
A life of faith and service
Bryan Long, chairman of Surrey Hills Uniting Church described Arthur as a man who has led a life of great faith and service. “Arthur has been a lay preacher for more than 75 years, preaching at over 1600 services throughout Victoria…. It was his leadership of the large church youth groups in the 1950s and and ’60s that had the most impact on him personally’.
To read about Arthur and his many achievements, please click here.
Keith Rutledge
We send our congratulations to Keith Rutledge who celebrated his 100th birthday on 30 September. Born in Albury in 1920 and a long-term resident of Ringwood, Keith has led a life marked by service to his community, love of family and been part of enormous change.
To read about Keith and his many contributions, please click here.
Nicole Evered OAM
OAM 1999: For Service to the Community, particularly Youth, through the Scouting movement.
Nicole’s life has been adventurous, fun and totally dedicated to her passions: family, community, scouting and – ‘the Dig’….
To read about Nicole, click here.
Keith Rooney OAM
Most people are delighted to receive the Order of Australia as recognition of a life’s work. For Keith the reaction was a little different. He was amazed, honoured and bewildered. As he said – it was only the start to what he intended to accomplish.
Keith was brought up by the Legacy Club so he understands how kindness and a helping hand can support families that may be struggling. He says he didn’t expect anything further from anyone as he knew he could have a good life via his own efforts – and along the way help others.
To read more, go
Kenneth Jacob Lyons OAM. 1924 to 2023
Ken Lyons died on 13 March 2023, but his legacy and legend lives on. He was born on 26 September 1924 and throughout his life he worked tirelessly for others. He was inexhaustible, reasonably healthy, always ready to listen or lighten the atmosphere when needed. There was no slowing down the retired local pharmacist and World War II veteran, until he got COVID and never quite recovered.
To read more about Ken, please click here.
Ron Brooks
Ron Brooks was born in Liverpool, England in 1942 of Ukrainian/Lithuanian ‘boat people’ parents. He has a BSc, MSc and PhD in chemical and microbiological engineering. He arrived in Australia in 1970, met a quiet Australian nurse Robbie, married in 1973 and decided to stay.
Ron joined Rotary 38 years ago, and has achieved since then. To read more of Ron’s story, please click here.