Richard Marocco awarded OAM in Australia Day honours list

Mr Marocco was awarded a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Port Macquarie.

“I am overwhelmed by this honour which must be shared by my  fellow Rotarians who have served with me on the Port Macquarie Hospital Rotary Lodge Committee since its inception in 1989 from an idea by Rotarian Ron Walesby,” he said.

“There are too many individuals to thank but I must mention the fundraising efforts of the Rotary clubs of the Hastings, Camden Haven and the Macleay Valley as well as many other clubs in district 9650. 

“The wider community of these areas and service clubs have also  worked with us to achieve this goal.”

Mr Marocco thanked his wife Margaret for her help and accompanying him to the many meetings in Port Macquarie and Sydney when they lived at Blueys Beach. 

Mr Marocco chaired the Rotary Lodge Port Macquarie Management Committee from 2002 to 2005 and was secretary and public officer, Hospital Accommodation Project, from 1990 to 1996.

He oversaw the construction of units and extensions at Rotary Lodge for 25 years.

He remains an associate member of the committee.

Rotary Lodge’s first six units opened in 1996 and another 18 units followed in 2005.

A soon-to-be completed project adds a further 12 units with another 12 units still to be funded.

“My concern for those in the community who required urgent medical attention kept me focused on the expansion of the lodge,” Mr Marocco said.

Mr Marocco is an honorary life member of the Wauchope Rotary Club and has held most positions in the club. 

The Wauchope Citizen of the Year honour went to Mr Marocco in 2005 and he received an achievement award from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council in the same year.

Mr Marocco, who lived at Blueys Beach for a decade after leaving Port Macquarie, now calls Newcastle home.