“TO volunteer is the greatest gift you give a community.”
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So said Paul Hogan, who has received an Order of Australia medal (OAM).
The former popularly elected mayor of Greater Taree said he feels honoured and thankful to the people who have been involved with him on his path. “You can’t do it alone. The Manning Valley would not exist without its volunteers.”
Born in Taree, Paul left the Manning Valley for school between 1955-1959 at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill. He returned home to work in the family plumbing and building business, CJ Hogan and Company.
He started volunteering in his mid-20s and was a member of St Vincent de Paul Society Conference, Taree, from 1968 to 1978. Paul remembers being part of the group who started the first St Vincent de Paul store in Taree. “Trucks would come and take the clothes to Sydney and we thought ‘why not have a store here?’ The money could stay locally.”
Paul was appointed to the Taree Catholic Parish Council in 1971 and has filled roles on the finance council and president.
In sport, he was treasurer of the Mid North Coast Rugby Union from 1988 to 1993.
Paul was vice-president of Taree Race Club for 27 years and is a life member. He was also chairman of the Taree Racecourse Trust between 1974 and 1999. He remembers with fondness the camaraderie and social atmosphere of Saturday race meetings.
In local government, Paul was the mayor of Greater Taree City Council from 2008 to 2016 and a councillor since 2004. He was a board member of MidCoast Water from 2004 to 2014.
Since 2008 he had been a supporter of Rosemary Sinclair AO’s First Steps Count Family Centre, a place that will be dedicated to providing crucial childhood services for disadvantaged families.
The centre needs funding of $2.2 million and Paul is adamant it is something the community needs.
Paul thanked his wife Pattie for her support and those who nominated him.