By JESSE GRAHAM
FOR ION Whykes, serving the community is second nature.
The 79-year-old was the first president of the Rotary Club of Healesville, a former principal at Healesville High School and a long-time supporter of numerous community groups.
His work, however, has not gone unnoticed, and Mr Whykes was awarded the prestigious Order of Australia Medal (OAM) on Monday 9 June as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
The OAM honour will accompany a Public Service Medal, which commemorated Mr Whykes’ work with the Victorian Principals’ Association and his services to education.
Mr Whykes’ award is for service to the community of Healesville, but, while speaking to the Mail about the honour, Mr Whykes was modest about his contributions.
“I suppose I’d have to say that I’m extremely grateful for the nomination, but I don’t think I do more for the community than anyone else,” he said.
“I’m very happy that my efforts have been recognised, but I think there are a tremendous number of people who never get recognised for the work they do,” he said.
“There is a huge number of community groups that have got volunteers that do a fantastic job and rarely get thanked.”
However, Mr Whykes has a long record of community service, through supporting community groups such as Healesville Interchurch Community Care Incorporated (HICCI), sponsoring international students and charities.
When asked what encouraged him to support the community in the ways he has, Mr Whykes drove the point home succinctly:
“I think what they’re doing is very worthwhile – what more can you say?”
The Order of Australia Medal is awarded to people who have performed services worthy of recognition, and Mr Whykes is one of 571 award recipients this year.
During his stint as Healesville High School principal and as a Rotarian, Mr Whykes was involved in the construction of the Jack Hort Memorial Pool, which turns 25 next year.
Mr Whykes was the longest serving principal in the high school’s history, and though he’s since moved on to financial planning, he looks back on the time fondly.
“I enjoyed being a school principal, though I don’t know if I’d manage to cope with it these days,” he said.
“Once I finished as principal, I took up financial planning, and I’ve been extremely successful in that – my life as a principal was my first life – now I’ve got a second life.”
Current Healesville High School principal George Perini said that he was thrilled about Mr Whykes’ honour.
“I’m thrilled for Ion, because it’s recognition, certainly of the work that he’s put into our school, but in general to the community,” Mr Perini said.
“It is due recognition for all of the work that he’s put into our community, and it is well deserved.”
On the brink of his 80th birthday, Mr Whykes said that he’s still working, and is as engaged with his community as ever.
One community cause that he felt strongly about was the Save the Healesville Hospital Action Group (SHHAG), and said he would like to see emergency services return to the town.
He gave the example of his wife breaking her arm around 18 months ago, and having to drive up to Ringwood to get medical help.
“Hopefully, they’ll (SHHAG) will be successful … it’s a shame that there’s a hospital in town and you can’t get treatment,” Mr Whykes said.
Through his 40 years in the town, Mr Whykes said he had seen development boom, and a huge influx of coffee shops set up along the main street.
Regardless of the changes, he said he still adored his town, and looked forward to continuing his support for important causes.
“I love living in Healesville – I think it’s geographically one of the most beautiful places in the world, and we’ve travelled very extensively,” he said.
“I hope that I can continue to serve the community in some way.”
