At the Walhalla Heritage and Development League's Annual General Meeting, held in the Mechanics Institute on May 21st, 2000, our unanimously-re-elected Honorable Secretary, Mrs Valma Plant, brought along the Order of Australia Medal that was presented to her earlier this month at Victoria's Government House.

Recognizing her lengthy and outstanding contributions to our group and others throughout Gippsland, the (long-overdue!) award is a beautiful gold medallion in a wattle design on a blue ribbon with matching wattle patterns.

In characteristically modest style, Valma speaks somewhat scornfully of the whole business, but we can't help feeling that she wouldn't be human if she didn't feel the smallest touch of justifiable pride in her achievement.

We are all certainly proud enough of her.