Seniors Award - 2008/2009

Doug Blackney was born in Ballarat.  He moved to Warrnambool with his family at the age of 5, eventually married and had 2 children.  Doug joined the army in 1952, fulfilling numerous roles as a gunnery officer, troop commander and range superintendent at Puckapunal.  He was posted to Fort Knox in America for a year, representing the Australian Army.  He served in Germany in connection with the introduction of the leopard tank to Australia and in Vietnam for a year, reaching the rank of Major.

In 1972 Doug was invited to join Legacy and he became a Justice of the Peace.  He showed great generosity, understanding and commitment in caring for war widows and their children.  He was an advocate for them in financial, housing and other legal matters as well as advising on personal problems.  He was also responsible for many fund raising activities for Legacy, including Seymour Race Days, car rallies, the collection and sale of second-hand books and selling Legacy Badges, becoming a legend in the organization.  Doug is also an active member of Neighbourhood Watch.

For the past twelve years Doug has worked tirelessly as an RSL Pensions Officer, volunteering two to three days a week at Heidelburg Repatriation Hospital, where he is renowned for his knowledgeable and compassionate welfare work for veterans, war widows and their children who have no family to support them.  This involves day-to-day practical help, such as painting houses, building fences and supplying fuel.  His reputation is so widely established that veterans from all parts of Australia seek his advice and assistance.  His door is always open and he is regarded as a true “mate” in the Australian tradition.

Above all, throughout his life Doug has been a model of honesty, compassion and good humoured selflessness in the service of others.  He lives the principal of “Service Above Self”.  The Rotary Club of Melbourne Inc. has much pleasure in awarding Doug Blackney the Seniors Award for 2008-2009.