I, ALONG with all of Manilla I believe, was so very pleased to read that one of our favourite citizens, David Ridgewell, has been awarded an OAM (Order of Australia Medal).

David received the award for services to the community of Manilla.

Your paper had an excellent story on this amazing man and listed some of the organisations he is involved in.

However, like many of the recipients of these awards, what they do behind the scenes is every bit as important, if not more so, than those things for which they receive public acknowledgement.

On any day, one could walk down the main street of Manilla and talk to those of us fortunate enough to live here and be overwhelmed with anecdotes about this man. All of these would confirm the fact that here is a man of true charity and kindness, of real community spirit.

David has never cared who you are, what your name is, your age, race or religion or “which side of the tracks” you come from.

If you need help in any way, he will do all he can to lend a hand – quietly, calmly and with a humility and gentleness that we should all aspire to.

I won’t embarrass David by even trying to list the numerous things that even I, as a relative newcomer to the town, am aware of. 

Suffice it to say, any public list of his achievements will be nothing compared to what he has done quietly and humbly over the years. 

Congratulations, David, your town is proud of you.

Men like yourself are an inspiration to us all.