BUNDOORA’S Collins Dyson has been recognised for his community involvement and work in the transport industry with a Medal of the Order of Australia as part of the 2017 Queen’s Birthday honours.
Mr Dyson said the honour had come “out of the blue”.
“I’m a bit overwhelmed to be honest,” he said. “I did it all because I wanted to help, not because I wanted to receive an award.”
Mr Dyson is a senior director of family bus company Dyson Group, which employs about 900 workers across eight depots in Victoria and NSW.
Mr Dyson has provided financial and hands-on support to locals over the years, employing many residents and assisting them when times are tough.
This philanthropic work has extended to the broader public, where he has supported 35 charities.
Mr Dyson’s daughter Margie Hill nominated him for the award for his “tireless efforts to the bus industry and community of Bundoora”.
“He’s quite a humble man,” she said.
“He told me he didn’t expect recognition.
“But our family is extremely proud of his remarkable achievements and contributions over many years.
“He has had an indelible influence on the lives of so many people.”
(First published in the Whittlesea Leader on June 13th 2017, the Diamond Valley Leader on June 14th 2017, and online here and here)
