Rosebud West featured prominently in this year's Australia Day awards with the only two recipients for the region both residents of the town. Although they come from very different backgrounds, a nun - see story next page - and a war veteran, both have made a huge contribution to Australian life through their volunteer work.SYDNEY Arnold Margetts of Rosebud West has been awarded an Order of Australia recognising his service to the RSL and other veterans' organisations.
Mr Margetts was one of about 16,000 Australians to serve with the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces (BCOF) in Japan following the end of World War II. The occupation force was made up of British, Indian, New Zealand and Australian troops.
With the 65th Infantry Battalion he was deployed to a town near Hiroshima in 1945 following the devastating bombing of the city.
Initially he worked on "cordon and search" sweeps of the city looking largely for munitions before overseeing the repatriation of Japanese from nearby islands.
On returning to Australia he lived in Orbost and Broadford before settling in Sunshine, where he started an auto electrical business.
He and his wife Betty have two daughters, Linda and Christine, as well as three granddaughters and a great-granddaughter.
On retirement, the Margetts moved to Rosebud and Mr Margetts joined the Dromana sub-branch of the RSL before joining the Rye sub-branch.
A founding member of the BCOF sub-branch, he rose to secretary and treasurer of the national body.
Nominated for the gong by another former BCOF soldier for his advocacy on behalf of his fellow veterans, Mr Margetts believes more could be done to help veterans.
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