A PROMINENT member of the Bega Valley’s Aboriginal community, Pastor Ossie Cruse MBE of Eden, has been made a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day honours.
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Pastor Cruse was honoured for his service to the indigenous community, particularly in the areas of social justice, spiritual welfare, health and land rights.
His record of service goes back to 1963 when he became a member of the Federal Council of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
He was the vice-president of the Pacific Asia Council of Indigenous People from 1985 to 1993 and an executive member World Council of Indigenous People from 1983 to 1988.
He served as president of the Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship and as an executive member from 1970 to 1993.
Pastor Cruse was also an elected member of the National Aboriginal Conference from 1977 to 1986 and served as chair of its land rights sub-committee.
He served as chairperson of the NSW Aboriginal Lands Council from 1996 to 1999 and was a council member in 2000.
He was a member of the NSW Aboriginal Advisory Council (1970-1983), NSW Aboriginal Land Trust (1973-1983) and NSW Police Aboriginal Council, chairperson of the Aboriginal Christian College at Cootamundra (1986-1993) and is currently a member of the board of directors.
He served as deputy chairperson of the Twofold Bay Aboriginal Corporation and was co-ordinator of Eden Aboriginal Land Council.
He is currently pastor of the Aboriginal Evangelical Church in Eden and the chair of the AEF Multi-Purpose Youth Camp.
Chosen as an Australia Day Ambassador in 1998 and is an honorary member of World Vision.
Pastor Cruse is the only Bega Valley Shire resident to be honoured this Australia Day.
