LEO Johnson won’t let a brain tumour stand in his way of helping others.
The 70-year-old Kurunjang resident was awarded an Order of Australia Medal last week for his service to the community through employment, education and social welfare organisations.
Mr Johnson was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year and had surgery in August.
Mr Johnson, a resident for 37 years, has a long list of community involvement.
He’s a life member of Djerriwarrh Employment and Education Services, a former commissioner of the Melton Water Trust, and a 20-year volunteer for the Australian Red Cross in Melton.
Despite his achievements, Mr Johnson remains humble about the Queen’s Birthday honour, saying it really belongs to the community.
“I’ve been involved in many different organisations and the award belongs to the people I’ve worked with as much as it belongs to me,” he said.
“The award is indicative of all the good work that’s been done and there’s still a lot more to do. God willing, I’d still like to be a part of what has to be done.”
In recent years, Mr Johnson has worked with newly settled refugees from Sudan and Burma through the Melton New and Emerging Communities Network.
Djerriwarrh Employment and Education Services chief executive Trish Heffernan, who has worked with Mr Johnson since 1995, said he was incredibly community-minded.
“It’s his willingness to just get involved and be there when you need him, that’s the great thing about him,” she said.
“I have an enormous admiration for him because of his ability to continue with all of his commitments, even though he’s not well.”
Ill health hasn’t stopped Mr Johnson from doing good works; he says, it’s just slowed him down a bit.
“I’m not the sort of person who’s going to sit in the corner and cry my eyes out and say ‘why me?’,” he said. ‘‘I just don’t do that, I’ve got so many good people around me.
“I asked my doctor if it’s OK to continue the things I enjoy and he said, by all means but don’t overdo it.”
