De La Rue family celebrates OAM

By Kath Gannaway
A YEAR after the death of Warburton businessman and community leader, Ian De La Rue, his family has officially received the Australia Day Honour, an OAM, announced in January this year.
Mr De La Rue, a founding member of the Warburton Bendigo Bank and widely regarded as one of Upper Yarra’s most respected and loved community leaders, died on 26 June last year.
It was a bitter-sweet time for his family when he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours List.
The award paid particular recognition to his leading role in establishing community banks.
His wife, Margaret, accepted the medal and award, which were presented by the Governor General of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser AO, at Government House in May. She was accompanied by their children, Adam, Carmen and Danielle.
Mrs De La Rue said it was a proud moment, and an emotional one, for everyone.
“Ian would have been humbled by it all,” she said. “But I know he would also have been very happy.”
She said he saw awards as recognition of the contribution made by the people who worked with him in the many projects he was involved in.
Among the long list of organisations which benefited from his involvement were the Winterfest Committee, Warburton Chamber of Commerce, Warburton Advancement League, Warburton Bowls Club, Warburton Millgrove Football Club Supporters Group, and many more. “Ian was never a person to do things for recognition. He loved being involved,” Mrs De La Rue said.