The selflessness and humility that led to Melton’s Carole Doyle receiving an Anzac of the Year award for 2014 is reflected in her reaction to the honour.
“I’m incredibly humbled, excited and happy to win; it was such a great surprise,”
Mrs Doyle says.
Her work as Partners of Veterans Association vice-president and as a member of the
Gorton committee for the Anzac Centenary grants program led to her being one of just
five recipients of the award in Australia this year.
“I call the other ladies in the Melton Partners group my sisters,” she says.
Mrs Doyle, married to husband Joseph for 45 years, says it’s the experience of caring for partners with post-traumatic stress disorder from war that binds the “sisters” together.
“It’s about helping each other live with it,” the retired florist says. “My husband went to the Vietnam war aged 20, and it changes them. Only when our children reached 20 did I understand how young it was.”
Joseph says he’s “proud as punch” of his wife’s achievement.
Gorton MP Brendan O’Connor adds: “Carole has been a long-term volunteer for a number of causes … and is a true hero.
“She’s a dedicated representative for veterans and their families and I am very pleased she’s has been awarded this well-deserved recognition.”
Mrs Doyle is trying to reach out to partners of soldiers returning from Afghanistan.
“They’re going through the same things we did all those years ago so we’d welcome them with open arms,” she says.
The award was announced on April 17 by the RSL’s national president, Rear Admiral Ken Doolan, AO RAN.
Melton council will host a civic reception for Mrs Doyle at the council chambers on May 23, starting at 2.30pm.
Priscilla Moca
