Kooweerup resident Beverley Anne Edwards has been awarded an Order of Australia (OAM) for her decades-long service to the community of Cardinia.
Already a recipient of the Australian Defence Medal, Bev was “completely shocked” to receive another recognition for her tireless dedication.
“At first I was slightly shocked and felt I’m nobody special,” she admitted.
“I don’t do what I do for accolades I do it because I enjoy it, enjoy being busy and enjoy being with people and I think I’m just a born-organiser.
“Then when I looked at the document that was sent to the Governor General’s office for consideration of the OAM by those who felt I deserve it, it really hit home that I have done so much.”
Born in Yorkshire, England, in the 1960s, Bev migrated with her family to Australia in 1967. She grew up in Bayswater North, enjoying a childhood full of freedom, adventure, and community long before mobile phones and social media.
Her journey into community service began after her marriage to Rodney and their departure from the army. Inspired by a desire to be involved and contribute, she took on leadership roles in the Scout Association of Victoria, serving as a Cub Leader for multiple groups.
She then became a volunteer firefighter with the Menzies Creek Rural Fire Brigade while also serving as Secretary of the Koo Wee Rup Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary. During this period, Bev played a central role in fundraising for a new fire truck, writing over a hundred letters to organisations and raising approximately forty thousand dollars.
Bev’s dedication extended to organising the Menzies Creek Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight in 1990, which she ran for ten consecutive years.
She also volunteered at the Menzies Creek Primary School library, cataloguing the entire book collection and helping children with reading difficulties, and contributed her time to Sherbrooke Little Athletics, Lysterfield Adult Riding Club, and the Dandenong Ranges Horse and Pony Club, where she assisted with rallies, shows, and competitions.
Professionally, Bev dedicated herself to service in other ways. She spent over a decade at Mannings Funerals, upholding the company’s founding values of providing dignified funerals for the homeless and destitute.
She would go to extraordinary lengths to locate family members or friends to ensure no one was denied a proper farewell. Since 2008, Bev has worked with Monash Health, including her current role in the Intensive Care Unit at Monash Medical Centre.
Alongside her community and professional work, she also served in the Australian Army from 1979 to 1985, gaining discipline, resilience, and organisational skills that would underpin her later volunteering.
In Koo Wee Rup, Bev has been a member and Secretary of the local RSL Sub-branch since 2014, coordinating social events, ANZAC Day appeals, and the annual Dawn Service, which attracts hundreds of attendees.
As President of Friends of Harewood Inc., she founded the Harewood Heritage Day fundraiser, raising thousands of dollars for the Kooweerup Regional Health Service. In all these roles, Bev has displayed remarkable energy, creativity, and commitment, often ensuring that every detail is meticulously managed.
Her motivation comes from a simple desire: “The fear of getting old and wasting my life on doing nothing meaningful and not having made a difference in the community.”
Bev credits much of her success to her husband, Rodney, deceased parents, and the countless volunteers and community members who share her vision.
“Without all of them I couldn’t have achieved all that I have,” she said.
She encourages others to join community groups, take an interest in their surroundings, and build real, face-to-face connections.
As Bev looks to the future, she says she still has “great ideas waiting to come out,” but her core mission remains unchanged.
“I’ll still be giving 100 per cent to everything I do,” she said.
“My whole working life of 45 years has been a lifelong learning experience – I’ve heard and seen it all.
“I just like to be remembered for all the good things I’ve done, that you only have to ask Bev and she’ll ‘give you hand’, that I’ve been nice to people and treat everybody how I’d like to be treated.”
