Seymour’s Andrew Hogan has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia, OAM, for his service to the town’s community.
A well-known face around Seymour, Dr Hogan has been involved in multiple community groups, organisations and businesses through various roles from as long ago as 1992.
Working primarily as a veterinarian, he has worked at Seymour Veterinary Surgery since 1992 before becoming a partner between 1996 and 2003 then principal owner in 2003.
Dr Hogan is also currently the veterinary officer at the Seymour Agricultural and Pastoral Society, where he has previously served as president, treasurer, council member and became an honorary life member in 2015.
In 2003, he was a founding member of Seymour Performers Workshop and then treasurer until 2014, switching to the role of president from 2015 to 2018. Dr Hogan has also contributed to set design and construction for the workshop and became a foundation life member in 2022.
He said he was surprised to have received the award and did not think it was real until he read the email in full.
“My first thought was I work with a lot of people and I don’t do any more work than anyone else really, so I felt a little bit like I was undeserving,” Dr Hogan said.
“At the same time, I’m chuffed, tickled pink to be recognised in this way.
“It wasn’t anything I expected or that it’s especially my right or deserved. I’m tickled, and my mum’s certainly pleased.”
Aviator honoured
An avionics technician who developed bespoke secure communications for C-27J Spartan aircraft and rapidly assembled a Hercules maintenance crew for deployment to assist in evacuating Afghan civilians was honoured on Australia Day.
Sergeant Justin Kurban, from Riddells Creek, received a Medal of the Order of Australia for his work over almost a decade at 35 Squadron and 37 Squadron, including technical achievements and new ways of managing personnel to improve efficiency.
He implemented a system to track the flying hours of maintenance crew, who are often required on board when a plane leaves on task.
Sgt Kurban joined the Air Force in 2005 after graduating from Gisborne Secondary College.
He said for him – having clocked hundreds of hours in the air, passing over deserts and snow-capped mountains – the mission was reward enough.
“With fast jets, it was a lot of training flights and bombing camps,” he said.
“In Air Mobility Group, I’ve been on countless humanitarian tasks and helped lots of people.
“That’s been a driving factor to make the platforms a better capability and made my work feel more worthwhile – but never in my wildest dreams did I think someone would nominate me for an award.”
