The married couple had their years of service to a variety of organisations in Stawell and the surrounding region recognised on Australia Day, both receiving Medals of the Order of Australia.

Both in their late 70s, Ian and Margaret have contributed and continue to contribute to a wide range of groups throughout their lives in the region.

Mr Taylor is currently a volunteer driver for the Stawell Meals on Wheels program, Stawell Lions Club minutes secretary were he formerly served as president and treasurer as well as organising Stawell Uniting Church’s newsletter and home ministry DVD.

He was also the captain of the Callawadda fire brigade, served as president on the Stawell Technical School Council and works as a volunteer projectionist at the Town Hall among many other positions.

“You never know the full impact of the good you do,” Mr Taylor said.

“When I was involved with CFA I was involved with a committee that mapped houses with codes to improve response times.

“We printed out stickers in fluorescent orange with brigade phone number and the site number they were at. One day this chap lit up the grass when mowing it, he rang the number, gave whatever code he was at and afterwards he said he couldn't believe all these trucks showed up so quickly.

“That’s just one example of a time all the effort was worth it.”

Mrs Taylor has a similarly rich volunteer background, also heavily involved with the Stawell Uniting Church as an elder, helping with Girl Guides as well as Probus.

Perhaps Mrs Taylor’s biggest influence was with Riding for the Disabled in Stawell, serving as an inaugural member before going on to become head coach as well as being inducted as a life member.

“It is rewarding when you see the smiles on the faces of those kids, you never go home thinking it was a bad day,” Mrs Taylor said.

The couple has also been involved with Eventide Homes. Mr Taylor takes recordings of church services during the week to play for religious residents who are unable to attend in person while Mrs Taylor coordinates the weekly service.

“It is a really nice service, the residents really appreciate it,” Mrs Taylor said.

As well as regular volunteer work, the pair also donates blood on a consistent basis, with Mr Taylor donating more than 100 times and Mrs Taylor into the 90s.

Despite working side by side with much of their volunteer work, they received news of their awards a little differently.

“I got an email a few days before Marg found out by post. I didn’t say anything to her at first because I was thinking ‘I don’t deserve this, Marg does’,” Mr Taylor said.

“It was quite funny when Marg opened her letter to tell her that I had also received one. For us both to receive one at the same time is quite special.”

Having dedicated years of their lives to the community and helping others, both of the pair agreed they would not have done anything differently.

“It is just so rewarding to do what we have done. Sometimes we get tired and a bit grumpy but it there is a real need for volunteers in the community so we just do whatever we can to play our part,” Mr Taylor said.