By Luke Voogt
Julie McKenzie remembers her dad and Leopold stalwart Gordon Dendle as “a quiet achiever” with a “big heart”.
“He loved helping people and felt a responsibility to help the community,” she said.
“He was still able to bring up a happy, healthy family and do all that community work at the same time.”
The Melaluka Road dairy farmer’s decades of involvement in a dozen projects, causes and sporting clubs across Leopold earned him a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) this week.
Sadly, he died of a stroke last July before being awarded the medal.
“He would have been very honoured and humbled but he wouldn’t have liked to be made a fuss of,” Ms McKenzie said.
“I was super excited when I found out, but sad that he was not here to enjoy it. Mum’s super proud.”
The Leopold Lions backman and life member was the first player to reach 200 games, held various leadership positions and earned several accolades during 16 years playing footy.
He was involved in the Anglican church, Leopold Cricket Club and the CFA for several decades, and helped maintain local landmarks like Leopold Community Hall and his beloved home ground Leopold Memorial Park.
He also contributed to Leopold Little Athletics Club and 1st Leopold Scout Group – the latter for more than 30 years – in support of his four children.
“We were always encouraged to get out and pursue the things that we loved, and dad would be there as much as he could,” Ms McKenzie said.
