MARGARET Littlehales has dedicated her life to young people, and for that she is being rewarded.
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The Guides leader, youth group leader, Uniting Church parish-
ioner and retired teacher has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) as part of the Queen’s Birthday honours.
Ms Littlehales doesn’t know who nominated her. “It’s a big surprise; I still don’t really know what I’ve done,” she said.
MORE QUEENS BIRTHDAY HONOURS
This public holiday, she will be taking part in a working bee at the Guides’ camping facility at Creswick.
Attending Ballarat Central Uniting Church for about 30 years, she has been the youth group co-ordinator, casserole bank co-ordinator, school holiday activities organiser and the co-ordinator of the Heart Sisters and the Backpack program.
For Guides, she has been the unit leader for the 11th Ballarat Company since 1997, the district leader between 2005 and 2012, outdoor co-ordinator between 2006 and 2010, and a volunteer since 1973.
“The Girl Guides grow up and develop such leadership skills. You can’t put your finger on it, but just at the Anzac Day service, they were able to stand there for an hour, without moving, before putting up the flag. And I know they do it perfectly,” she said.
A former regional consultant librarian, Ms Littlehales also taught at Pleasant Street, Elaine, Black Hill, Beaufort, Delacombe, Brown Hill, Maryborough and Ballarat North primary schools.
“I love seeing kids grow up. I just like what I do – that’s why I do it,” she said.
“I always wanted to be a teacher.”
Ms Littlehales, 70, said she frequently saw past students about town, most of whom she remembers, even though she taught up to 300 children a week.
As a youth group leader, she said she loves seeing the children each week.
