ACCOMPANIED by his family, Robert Krause was presented with the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division at Government House in Brisbane by Governor General Dr Jeanette Young on May 11.
Mr Krause was recognised for more than seven decades of service to the Marburg community and was one of 732 recipients throughout Australia to be presented with this award.
Robert’s service was recognized in numerous fields starting with more than 75 years of volunteer service to the Marburg Show Society where he participated as a school boy exhibitor beside his parents.
He said it had been an honour and something special to him, to have kept the family tradition going for so long at his local show.
“I was President for the society for 11 years, which challenged me in many ways but provided me with a sense of satisfaction to be involved, and in 1994 I was named as a Life Member,” he said.
“History, researching, photography and writing have been an interest throughout my life and because of this I co-authored a book called, ‘Not Just a Show’ which outlines and explains the history of the show.
“It is not just a Show, to me it is a showcase of community spirit and talent where families, farmers and friends come together to bring everything that makes the country so special come to life.”
Robert’s array of volunteer work with St Matthews Church, local schools, Ipswich City Council, the Marburg Rural Fire Brigade, the Leukemia Foundation, the Heart Foundation was also recognised.
A congregational member of St Matthews Lutheran Church, he served as a former delegate of the Synod on a National and State level and was Congregational Chairman for several years.
As a Board member at Bethany Lutheran Primary School at Raceview, Robert was involved in the planning committee and he was a member on the Council at Faith Lutheran College.
As a member of the Ipswich Council City Council Consultative Group he became Chair of the Marburg State School Centenary Celebrations in 1979, something that means so much to him as he was a former student of the school.
“This whole experience has been unbelievable,” he said.
“I owe it all to my family and friends, my amazing wife Janet, she has always supported me throughout each and every one of my interests and I could not have done it without her.
“Being presented with this medallion is something that I will never forget and I hold it with pride, as I reminisce on all of the fun that I have had, and all of friendships that I have made.”
