Newtown’s Robert Riordan was a “very proud Australian” when he found out he was receiving a medal of the Order of Australia on Australia Day.
The owner and managing director of Riordan Fuels was one of 545 Australians to be awarded an OAM, which recognised his service to the community through a range of organisations.
“It’s a very humbling experience, but it’s come as a big surprise,” Mr Riordan said.
Born and bred in Colac, the Riordan family bought into the fuel business in 1966 and Mr Riordan has been involved ever since.
Through his work, he became involved in many community organisations, particularly focused on rural issues.
“I’ve always been interested in giving back,” he said.
“[So] I stood for election for the Colac Water and Sewerage Authority in 1975.”
He continued to serve on the water authority as it changed names and focus throughout the years, before becoming the chairman of the Victorian Groundwater Council in 1997.
He said the council was important for the control and regulation of commercial groundwater as well as setting up a trading system.
“I got a lot of enjoyment from that because managing water and particular wastewater is the important part of any city,” he said.
“If you don’t get that right, then there’s some real issues.”
Along with water authorities, Mr Riordan has a passion for education, serving on the boards of Marcus Oldham College and Monivae College in Hamilton.
“Education is particularly important for regional communities,” he said.
“As a regionally focused company, we’ve always wanted to make sure that the youth in regional communities have access to the same level of education they do in the city.”
Mr Riordan said he got a lot of enjoyment from giving to the community.
“Whenever you give something to the community, you always get just as much back,” he said.
