Trevor James Fisher of Busselton - OAM Winner

The driving force behind the success of the Busselton Men’s Shed, since its inception in 2010 is Trevor Fisher. This year the Busselton resident is one of the many hard-working Australians who will be recognised for their community service on Australia Day. Mr Fisher will receive the Medal of the Order of Australia, an award that recognises outstanding achievement and service. “I feel really humbled by this award, but it’s important for people to know that without my wife Jen so much of what I have achieved would not have happened,” Mr Fisher said. “She has been so supportive of everything I do.” Mr Fisher’s tireless work in the community was highlighted five years ago when he won the 2019 WA Volunteer of the Year award. The Rotary Club has recognised Mr Fisher’s achievements twice, with the Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International award in 2003 and the Paul Harris Fellow with Sapphire award in 2017. His volunteer work has also included a stint as a captain in the Ryan’s Brook Fire Brigade. The list of achievements and successful projects in Mr Fisher’s volunteer community service career is both long and diverse. It includes managing the construction of the huge one-and-a half scale model of a wool wagon in Kojonup, and the massive effort of relocating the Kojonup tennis courts. The idea for a Busselton Men’s Shed was first floated while Mr Fisher was on the Busselton Elderly Support Service board. To help make the Busselton Men’s Shed a reality in 2010, Mr Fisher managed the successful application for lotteries funding, and also support from local trades. “I canvased local support from all kinds of trades, and secured $330,000 in kind donations,” Mr Fisher said The Busselton Men’s Shed is now a thriving resource with 130 members, which provides a valuable place for men to meet, talk and contribute their skills to the community. Since its early days, the Busselton Men’s Shed has always focused on significant community projects, including restoration of the Busselton Jetty train, and rebuilding a fence at the hospice. “It’s great when we can make something for someone at the shed,” he said. “But doing something for the entire community is what I have always been about.”