Cowaramup legend Don Miller awarded Order of Australia for services to community

Lifelong Cowaramup stalwart Don Miller was honoured this Australia Day with the ultimate recognition for his long-term service to the township. The annual Australia Day awards saw Mr Miller awarded the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia in acknowledgement of years spent volunteering, helping fellow residents, and driving major community-building projects throughout his 83 years. Family and friends celebrated the achievement yesterday when the news finally broke. Spokesman Paul Miller, who runs Millers Ice Creamery in Cowaramup with wife Trish, said it was a proud day for Mr Miller’s descendants. “As kids, we remember Dad always being involved in the community,” he said. “Looking back, that’s a lot of voluntary hours invested in our community. “Not sure how he managed to be a successful dairy farmer and raise a family. “It’s well-deserved recognition. We’re so very proud of you, Dad.” Cowaramup-based Shire of Augusta-Margaret River councillor and family friend Ian Earl said he was overjoyed to hear the news, which was long overdue. “He is just a great man,” Cr Earl told the Times. “He’s been an outstanding citizen of Cowaramup for a great length of time, as have the whole Miller family.” Mr Miller was born into the dairy business on Wirring Road in 1939 and went on to marry his lifelong sweetheart, Joyce Lord, with the couple having five children. He took over the family farm at age 21 after the sudden death of his father, but in the details of Mr Miller’s award, nominees said the 1960s were the only time when the dairy farmer wasn’t the most prominent figure in the local community. Mr Miller’s list of projects are vast. Apart from helping found the Cowaramup Lions Club in 1985 — which in turn has driven numerous projects, including the famous Cowaramup Cows — the active resident was a key member of the Cowaramup Junior Football Club in the 1970s and 80s, the Margaret River Speedway, the Cowaramup District Social Club and the Cowaramup Halls and Reserves committee. The district club’s expansion, development of Pioneer Park, and newer projects including helping foment the annual Deja Moo festival were also key achievements. The award also recognised countless hours spent manning the Lions burger van, community garden days, repair and repainting work, expanding Cowaramup Oval, the Waverley Road retirement village, and starting the Cowaramup Men’s Shed. Mr Miller was also a keen pilot in his earlier life, hosting his own aircraft on the family farm, and he continued organising reunions for past students of Denmark Agricultural School, which he attended along with many other Cowaramup lads. He won Cowaramup’s prized Col Duggan citizenship award in 2015 and last year was awarded life membership of the Lions in recognition of his tireless efforts. His son, Peter, who now lives in Perth, said almost every fixture built in Cowaramup — from the Cowaramup Hall, the town’s entry statement, and signs at Pioneer Park — had his father’s fingerprints and elbow grease on them. “Don has always been willing to help organise, provide hard work, time and knowledge to get things done for the community,” he said. “He tends to shy away from the limelight, being more comfortable as a quiet achiever, willing to do the hard work to get things done, without needing to be recognized for it.” When asked what motivated him to contribute to the community as a volunteer, Mr Miller said he simply enjoyed seeing other people benefit from events and amenities.