A DUBBO man who has been on the board of Lourdes Hospital since its inauguration in 1969, has been honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australian in the General Division.
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Reg Ferguson, OAM, said he was shocked and surprised to receive nomination for the Australia Day honour and it was only after much contemplation did he make the decision to accept.
"I accepted this honour, most humbly in order to recognise and pay tribute to those who nominated me," he said.
"To these people I extend my sincere gratitude and when it is all said and done, it's those on the frontline and in the work place who should be the recipients not I."
Mr Ferguson has had enjoyed a high public profile in Dubbo since joining the staff of 2DU in 1952, retiring just before his 50th anniversary in 2001.
It was through his work with the radio station he became involved with the hospital and at the inaugural meeting of the board in 1969 he was appointed as the first secretary and today he remains as the only member of the original board.
"I accepted this honour, most humbly in order to recognise and pay tribute to those who nominated me,"
- Reg Ferguson, OAM
He said Lourdes House, as it was known in the early days opened as a home for the aged in March 1958. It was designed to provide hostel accommodation for 88 aged men.
"This was made possible when 80,000 pounds was raised to begin the building program."
He said the home was solely owned and managed by the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst and was staffed by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul.
"They were lovingly known as the aero-plane nuns because of their elaborate headwear which was shaped like aero-plane wings.
"On March 2, 1958 a radio appeal on 2DU raised 10,000 pounds to furnish the hospital rooms," he said.
Mr Ferguson said the nuns would scout around the streets of Dubbo and under bridges to find homeless, aged men sleeping and bring them back to the house.
"They were very difficult times and not a lot of money around.
"Two of the nuns had to do a boilermaking course to run the boiler at the house," he said.
Mr Ferguson has been the chairperson of the Lourdes Hospital and Community Health Service Board of Advice, since 2003; a member of the board of advice since 1969; and a board member since 1963.
He worked as a radio broadcaster at 2DU from 1953 to2001; holding various executive positions including director of sport, office manager, accountant, company secretary, station manager and general manager.
He was president, Walter T Grant Memorial Centre, 1968 to 2001 and a volunteer, St Mary's Villa (formerly Ozanam Villa), 1978-1997.
He is a member, Dubbo RSL Memorial Swimming Club the Dubbo Ducks since 1985 and a life member and club patron.
He was also a member, APEX Club, for 35 years; also served as President and Secretary; District Governor, for many years and his received a Papal honour Pro Ecclesiae et Pontifice, for extraordinary dedication to Lourdes Hospital and Community Health Service, in 2008.