Volunteer curator and Sussex Inlet resident Max Dingle has received a Medal of the Order of Australia for his work with the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum and Shoalhaven Regional Gallery.
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Mr Dingle has been a long-time volunteer and curator with the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum, formerly known as Lady Denman Heritage Complex, starting his work with the museum in 1988. Since 2008 he's also been a volunteer curator at the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery.
His commitment to the visual arts in the Shoalhaven is beyond resolute.
"Can you believe it? I'm signed up to the Regional Gallery to do exhibitions until 2024," Max said.
"It's a working title but the theme we're working on for 2024 is death, love and art."
He said he felt overwhelmed receiving the Honour and it was wonderful for him seeing volunteers honoured.
"I've spent 30 years promoting volunteers and people giving back to the community."
"There's a huge number of volunteers who support our community ranging from surf life saving, red cross and the firies, who are doing a wonderful job at the moment."
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Max said his upbringing was a large reason for his community work.
"I was brought up in a small town in Queensland and all my family had it instilled in us that we should support the community.
"I was in the navy for 12 years and then I worked in various jobs that were community-orientated.
"But, then when I started working in museums in the early 1980s and discovered friends and volunteers and museums - it just clicked with me."
For Max, one of the highlights of his volunteer work was curating exhibitions at both Jervis Bay Maritime Museum and Shoalhaven Regional Gallery on Samuel Elyard, who was a local artist from the late 1800s.
His plans to celebrate his award on Australia Day are simple - lunch with a few friends and "probably a good bottle of red wine".