PORT PIRIE, South Australia (The Flinders News), June 12, 2008:
By Ellei Bone
Maureen Jones classes herself as just an ordinary everyday person, but this special person has been awarded an Order of Australia in the Queens Birthday Honors list. She won this through her service to the Gladstone community through a range of sporting organisations, particularly the Rocky River Softball Club, and to the youth of the area through the Scouting movement.
Mrs Jones was born in Penola in 1937 and grew up with a sport loving family. She enjoyed playing tennis and netball through her school years, became involved in Girl Guides and was a Sunday school teacher. She was also a part of the Penola Marching Girls, which was the first group of its kind in South Australia.
In 1959, she married railway worker Jim Jones and they set up their home in Penola. When their two sons came along, sport was still a major part of Mrs Jones’ life. The little family moved to Keith for a few years before Mr Jones put in for a transfer to Gladstone in 1973.
“I did not know where Gladstone was, but we made the best of it, and I am not moving now we are retired here,” Mrs Jones said.
Her love of communicating with young people led her to a long involvement in the Scouts movement, a move that she will not retire from until the Gladstone Scouts reaches the great milestone of 100 years in a few years time.
“I enjoy the younger people, I seem to communicate better with them and it is great to be able to help them out with their sport too.”
“I feel elated with the award, it has been a great year,” the new great grandmother of twin girls said.
Her friend Marie Purdie nominated Mrs Jones for her involvement in the community.
The 71-year-old has no plans for slowing down - she plays golf and darts in the winter and softball and lawn bowls in the summer. She still umpires for district softball and is on hand at scoring for the Rocky River team and also goes to Adelaide to umpire softball at country carnivals.
For 18 years, Mrs Jones was employed as a school bus driver and she is now a regular volunteer bus driver for the Rocky River Health Service, which offers shopping trips and outings to the elderly and infirm members of the community.
“My husband was astounded but it is nice to get a thank you for all your efforts,” she said. “I have some great certificates, but nothing like this.”
Mrs Jones will receive her honor later this year at Government House in Adelaide.
Copyright © 2008. Fairfax Media.
