Service above self

Long-serving and popular staff member, Mary McGilvray, has been honoured with a prestigious Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Club of Toowoomba East.

USQ colleagues and Rotary members, Prof Glen Postle and Harry Spencer, said the Award acknowledges Mary’s dedication to youth and community.

'Paul Harris Fellow recognitions in Australia have been awarded to Rotarians and others that have shown that they are prepared to go that extra mile,' said Prof Postle.

'Mary is one of those ordinary people who do extraordinary things – I use the word ‘ordinary’ in the ‘nicest way’.'

Mary said she was surprised and honoured to receive the Award. 'It’s humbling to know that people value what I do to a greater extent than what I imagined.'

Harry said the annual Science and Engineering Challenge is one of the many projects Mary invests her time in.

'Those who have worked at the Challenge or attended a Challenge dinner will appreciate the commitment required to organise over 1,000 students, 70 volunteers, 50 teachers and a Challenge dinner for up to 120 participants. This, on top of a busy work schedule, can only be achieved by a very dedicated person.'

Harry said Mary and her husband, Pat, also host the visiting Newcastle staff for the week.

'The funds that have been saved from their generosity have enabled us to continue offering quality awards to participating students.'

Prof Postle said Mary could never be accused of ‘boasting her achievements’.

'We often talk about ‘service above self’ in Rotary and Mary is a person who gives meaning to this phrase.

'The ‘public service’ is often spoken about in less than glowing terms – sometimes unfairly might I say. Mary is one who does the public service proud.'

Specifically, Glen Postle acknowledged Mary’s work as the Project Officer on the Community for Community Project.

'This position which, she has held over the last 18 months, is all about making sure that things happen as planned. The ‘front people’ tend to get all of the kudos when it happens as planned.

'People such as Mary attend to the detail, best guess the likelihood of problems occurring, predict issues and more often than not are rarely identified – they give real meaning to the phrase ‘quiet achievers’.'

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