TWO quiet achievers from the southwest have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the community.

Retired Inala builder Barry Dobson, 77, was nominated by his sister Andrea Thompson after a lifetime spent volunteering as an athletics official.

While pursuing his own goals as a marathon runner, Mr Dobson has taken on volunteer roles such as track umpire, timekeeper, coach and club committee positions to help others pursue their sporting dreams.

Mr Dobson migrated to Brisbane, from Britain, with his wife Irene in 1963 and was soon organising athletics events at the migrant centre in Brisbane.

Since then he has been part of Olympic and Commonwealth Games events and lists being on the track as an official when Kathy Freeman won Gold at the 2000 Olympics as a highlight.

He also lists mentoring Paralympian Gerard Gossens and marathon runner Pat Carroll among his proudest achievements.

“I ran 17 marathons, the last four in under three hours, which is considered the yardstick,” he said.

*with thanks to Julie Sanderson from Quest Newspapers 

Picture: QUEST NEWSPAPERS/Julie Sanderson