Lake Wendouree resident Robert Hook says it is 'humbling' and 'special' to be appointed a member of the Order of Australia for service to a community he is so passionate about.
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Robert Hook AM has been recognised for significant service to the community of Ballarat, where he has lived his entire life.
An accountant by trade, Mr Hook has used his skills and knowledge of finance to make significant contributions to Ballarat in a professional and volunteer capacity.
Mr Hook worked for the State College of Victoria in Ballarat and played a role in the team that gained university status for the organisation to become University of Ballarat.
"To be able to build it up to get university status was big for Ballarat," he said.
"You can't claim anything in relation to outcomes because in all of these things you are one of a team and you have really good people working in those teams."
Mr Hook was an employee with the organisation from 1974 to 2006 and was Pro-Vice Chancellor for 10 years.
He is also proud of being part of the team that developed the Technology Park.
To be able to build it up to get university status was big for Ballarat.
- Robert Hook AM
After retiring, Mr Hook used his skills in finance, management and organisational growth to assist community organisations in a volunteer capacity.
"If you are an accountant you almost owe a responsibility back into community because the services of people with my background are really helpful to not-for-profit organisations," he said.
Mr Hook has been a member of Committee for Ballarat's finance and audit committee since 2008 and was a community member from 2013 to 2016.
He was a member of the Ballarat Mechanics Institute finance committee from 2010 to 2020.
Mr Hook has been a director of Ballarat Community Health since 2017 and was a board member of Ballarat and District Nursing and Healthcare, now Integrated Living, from 2007 to 2016.
He was a treasurer for the Association for the Blind, now Vision Australia in Ballarat, for 27 years.
"One of the things I thought after I retired was what is going to be the biggest change for our community and one of those is the ageing community," he said.
"But when you have a look at an organisation like Ballarat Community Health, you see how diverse it is.
"Its philosophy is to do work particularly with the vulnerable in our community.
"That is the sort of place I want to work with, where they are helping those who are struggling a bit more than others."
Mr Hook has long had a passion for sport, volunteering as treasurer for the Golden Point Cricket Club from 1965 to 1973 and serving a five-year term as chairman of selectors from 2015.
"I really enjoyed that involvement with young people," he said.
"You have got to learn their names, I think there is about 100 players on the list. You have to get to know all of those people by name and try to find out a bit about them.
"It was an interesting part of life."
Mr Hook is one of 252 people to be appointed a member of the Order of Australia this Queen's Birthday long weekend.
He said it was exciting to be recognised.
"Because I have been so passionate about Ballarat, to be given an award for my contribution to the community of Ballarat was pretty special for me," he said.
Mr Hook acknowledged the support from his wife Diane, his three children, five grandchildren and everyone he has been associated with in achieving outcomes for various organisations.
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