The Beechworth Burke Museum
Medal - Order of the British Empire Medal, 01/01/1976
David Aloysius Patrick McKenzie-McHarg, L.I.B, O.B.E was born on 20th June 1918 in Albury, NSW to Hugh Patrick McKenzie-McHarg and Laura May (Dunne) McKenzie-McHarg. McKenzie-McHarg served on the Council of the United Shire of Beechworth for more than a decade during the 1960s-70s, including seven years as president. He was renowned as a public speaker and played a significant role in the community. In recognition for his outstanding achievements and services rendered to the Beechworth community he was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1976. David McKenzie-McHarg died on 6th June 1992 and is buried in Beechworth Cemetery.
David McKenzie-McHarg’s wife, Marjorie Jean McKenzie McHarg, was well known to the Beechworth community as a brilliant pianist and played at all the balls and house parties. Apparently, she could play without sheet-music and would only have to hear a tune once to play it to near perfection.
Together, they were a formidable asset to the Beechworth community over many years
The British honours system has various orders, usually relating to the monarchy, military and colonial officials. An OBE (or order of the British Empire) is given for an outstanding achievement or service to the community. This will have had a long-term, significant impact and stand out as an example to others.
This Order was established by George V in 1917 in response to recognising the thousands of men and women who served in a variety of non-combatant roles during the First world war who didn’t otherwise receive any formal recognition but were certainly worthy of acknowledgement.
Recommendations for appointments to this Order were originally made on the nomination of the United Kingdom, however this soon became available to Commonwealth countries as well. However, Australia officially ceased to recommend the Order of the British Empire in 1989 with the establishment of the Order of Australia.
Silver badge suspended from red ribbon with pearl-grey edges. The badge is in the form of a cross patonce (having the arms growing broader and floriated toward the end), the obverse of which bears the same field as the star pictures George V and Queen Mary. The reverse bears George V's Royal and Imperial Cypher. Both are within a ring bearing the motto of the Order: FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE.
The presentation case in which the medal is housed is of a black outer boarder edge leatherette finishing, block letters in gold OBE. The inside has a cream velvet base with a silk padded liner to the roof with the full set of Royal Mint Crest Mark.
Obverse:
FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE /
burke museum, obe, obe medal, beechworth, david mckenzie-mcharg, british honours system, george v, beechworth community, order of australia., order of the british empire, marjorie jean mckenzie mcharg
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