By Shamsiya Hussainpoor and Mikayla Van Loon
Kilsyth’s former Habitat for Humanity Victoria board chair, Robert McLauchlan, has been awarded the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his exceptional service to architecture and social welfare, particularly through his work with Habitat for Humanity Victoria.
Mr McLauchlan’s deep connection to Habitat for Humanity Victoria began more than two decades ago, when he was asked to design a series of homes for the charity.
At the time, the project coincided with a special visit from former US President Jimmy Carter, a global ambassador for Habitat for Humanity.
His role expanded from designing homes to serving on the board, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s growth.
“I was initially asked to design a set of units for Habitat, and that led to me becoming the designer for many of their housing projects,” Mr McLauchlan said.
“As time went on, I became more involved, and in 2011, I was honoured to take on the role of board chair.”
One of Mr McLauchlan’s most significant achievements during his time with Habitat for Humanity Victoria was the creation of the Restore op shop in Kilsyth.
The store, which sells donated goods, helps raise funds for the charity’s work building homes for vulnerable families.
It has since expanded to a second location in Rosebud, and the Kilsyth Restore continues to be a crucial part of the organisation’s fundraising efforts.
“We started the Restore in Kilsyth as a way to generate funds to help build homes, and now it’s a thriving business that supports families here in Australia and abroad,” he said.
“The success of the Kilsyth Restore has been incredible, and it’s heartening to see how it continues to grow and make an impact.”
Under Mr McLauchlan’s leadership, Habitat for Humanity Victoria has built over 70 homes across the state, including in areas such as Dandenong, Bayswater, Lilydale, Geelong, and Ballarat.
The charity’s work has extended beyond Victoria, with homes built internationally in places like Cambodia.
“I’ll never forget the trip to Cambodia, where we physically built a home for a single mother in need,” he said.
“To see the look on her face when she climbed the stairs to her new home was truly unforgettable.”
His service to Habitat for Humanity Victoria spans nearly 20 years, and he stepped down from the board only after his retirement.
Despite no longer holding an official position, he remains closely involved with the organisation, attending events and following its progress.
“Even though I’m retired now, I’m still deeply proud of everything we’ve accomplished, and I continue to support Habitat in any way I can,” Mr McLauchlan said.
His legacy, however, is most strongly tied to the families who have found stability and hope through Habitat’s work.
He reflects on the transformative power of homeownership, particularly in small communities like Yay, where Habitat for Humanity’s housing projects have made a lasting impact on local families.
“The difference a stable home makes is enormous, I remember a teacher in Yay telling me how the children from Habitat homes were flourishing in school, not because they were necessarily better students, but because they now had the stability and security they needed to thrive,” Mr McLauchlan said.
In recognition of his tireless work with Habitat for Humanity Victoria and his broader contributions to the architectural and social welfare sectors, he was honoured with the OAM.
“It’s a great honour, but the real reward for me has always been seeing the difference we’ve made in people’s lives,” he said.
As Habitat for Humanity Victoria continues to grow, Mr McLauchlan looks forward to seeing what the future holds for the organisation, especially the success of the Kilsyth Restore.
“It’s exciting to see how far Habitat has come, and I’m confident it will continue to make a real difference in the years to come,” he said.
