By Jena Carr
Margaret Markovic has received an OAM for her road trauma and safety initiatives service.
The Lara women’s career includes volunteering with the RoadSafe Westgate Community Road Safety Council and Victoria Police Western Suburbs School Program.
She said her passion for road safety started after a drunk driver killed her son, and she decided to start the Road Trauma Families Victoria organisation with her daughter in 2012.
“The processes that we’ve been through was quite extensive and emotionally difficult,” she said.
“My daughter and I decided to help other families, because our lived experience identified many gaps needing to be addressed in supporting families.”
Margaret said her work in road safety advocacy was the right thing to do and that a highlight for her was starting the Raw2Roar program to “assist the teenagers who are left behind as siblings”.
“The teenagers are lost souls and the unseen road trauma legacy,” she said.
“For them to see that they’re not alone, they’re not the only ones, and to see peers in a similar situation and share their feelings is big for teenagers.
“It’s making sure that Daniel’s memory is left sparkling and that other families feel there is someone there that understands what they’re going through.”
Margaret said she was “very grateful” to receive the King’s Birthday Honours OAM award and that the realisation hadn’t quite “sunk in” yet.
“I feel absolutely numb. I’m just so thrilled and proud,” she said.
Margaret said people needed to be safe on the road and to “be patient, care for each other and take your time”.
“I’m begging people to be careful,” she said.
“There’s someone waiting for you at home. Think of that before you do anything that’s unacceptable on the road.”
