By Renee Wood
Healesville resident Sam Halim has been honoured for his dedication to the community, receiving the Ian De La Rue Award for Community Leadership at the Yarra Ranges Australia Day awards ceremony.
Mr Halim said it’s a very special moment.
“It’s great to be recognised on Australia Day, very special day and a very special award,” Mr Halim said.
“I’ve done my best for Healesville as well and the Yarra Valley in general.”
Mr Halim has called Healesville home since 1985 after moving to the area as a serving member of the Australian Air Force.
But the long time resident hasn’t just made the region home, he’s offered his service in many ways to better the community.
Mr Halim has served the tourism industry as the Tourist Association President and Vice President and has also been the president for Healesville Rotary and Healesville RSL.
During his time as president at the Healesville RSL, Mr Halim joined together with Aunty Dot Peters to make a huge impact in the lives of indigenous peoples locally and around the country.
The pair held the first memorial service for indigenous soldiers in 2006 in Healesville.
From the following year it became a significant event, being held at the Melbourne Shine of Remembrance every year on 31 May which continues to this day.
Mr Halim described this as his biggest achievement.
“We managed to change a dark page in our military history when we, for the first time ever, honoured the indigenous soldiers who fought and died for Australia,” he said.
“Not just for Yarra Ranges, it is for the whole of Australia, and two little people from Healesville started that and that’s why Yarra Valley should be very proud.”
Now the day is also marked in every other state in Australia.
“That’s something I cherish and is close to my heart.”
Being part of Rotary is also something that’s close to Mr Halim’s heart, which he’s been the president of twice and remains an active member.
“It’s amazing that we really make a difference because every dollar we raise, goes back to the community as a $1.”
The award is well deserved by Mr Halim, who’s love for the region continues to grow and community leadership continues to shine through – something he says he wants to do for the rest of his life.
“I love Healesville and the Yarra Valley… I like to be active to serve the community and for me it’s a pleasure to do that, to make a difference and I’ve been doing that since I came to Healesville in 1985 and it means a lot to me.
“I’m still doing that and hopefully I’ll do that for the rest of my life.”
