Selfless service

By Tania Martin
ROB Ferguson knows just how vital it is to support war veterans.
He has spent the past 20 years doing just that.
The Upwey-Belgrave RSL member has been recognised for his work with veterans and their families.
He was yesterday (Monday) named on the Queen’s Birthday honours list as a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recipient.
Mr Ferguson was stunned by the award and has dedicated it to his wife, Gill.
“I couldn’t have done half of it without her, it’s equally hers as it is mine,” he said.
Mr Ferguson has spent most of his life pitching in to help others.
After a short career in the Royal Australian Navy, he started working with disadvantaged children including wards of the state.
But wasn’t until years later that he started getting involved with war veterans.
Mr Ferguson started attending the Upwey-Belgrave RSL as a social member but was then promoted to club president.
It was here his passion for helping veterans first grew.
Mr Ferguson then went on to work with the state branch of the RSL as a welfare officer for veterans and war widows.
Although now retired, he still finds the time to help out where ever he can.
As part of his job, Mr Ferguson has helped veterans gain entitlements, offered assistance to those suffering financial crisis and even arranged funerals for diggers who have died.
He was also instrumental in getting the sub-branch’s museum up and running.
Mr Ferguson has also received a Centenary Medal in 2001 for working with young people at risk and veterans.
But despite his previous accolades, Mr Ferguson never expected an OAM.
“I was totally stunned,” he said.
Mr Ferguson was just about to leave for Villers-Bretonneux to attend an Anzac Day service when a letter telling him the news arrived.
But the excitement didn’t end there.
Mr Ferguson left his Upwey home expecting to make the emotional trip to France to attend an Anzac Day service in Villers-Bretonneux.
But a volcanic ash cloud disrupted his plans, closing down international air space.
They managed to make it out of Australia but spent four days stuck at Kuala Lumpur airport.
Mr Ferguson managed to get a flight to Paris just hours before the dawn service was to take place.
But luck wasn’t on his side with their luggage getting lost.
Mr Ferguson was wearing shorts, a T-shirt and thongs which wouldn’t have been appropriate for the service. “My suit and medals where in my case… it was really disappointing but it wasn’t the end of the world,” he said.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on this year’s Anzac Day service, Mr Ferguson returned home to an honour he couldn’t quite believe – an OAM.