Celebrations are underway at Noyea Riverside, as word spreads that resident Helen Hogan has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Helen Hogan
A lifetime’s dedication to lawn bowls earned Helen the prestigious accolade, and while she no longer plays, she is just as passionate about the game as ever.
Growing up in Cairns, Helen used her competitive spirit to force her way into a sport dominated by men in the 1950s.
“In those days, men played every day bar Thursday, and women couldn’t play,” Helen said.
“Then they called us ‘white leghorns’ because we had to wear white stockings and double petticoats.”
Helen eventually became President of both the Far North Queensland Bowling Association and Cairns Ladies Bowling Club, as well as serving as the first female alderman for Cairns City Council.
Village Manager Giselle Spice said Helen, a resident of Noyea Riverside for 16 years, has made an invaluable contribution to the village.
“Helen has helped organise so much of the bowls at the village and we are lucky to have her as part of our close-knit community,” Giselle said.
When notification of the award came through from the Governor General’s office, Helen could barely contain her delight.
“I was so excited I thought my heart was going to explode,” she said.
“I called Giselle and told her if she doesn’t come over right away I’m going to scream.”
