Well-known entertainer Frankie J Holden is the Sapphire Coast’s newest Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recipient.
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When Mr Holden, of Pambula Beach, was informed that he would receive a Queen's Birthday Honours his first reaction was “what? Me?”
“I could name another dozen people on the Sapphire Coast who could probably deserve this more than me,” Mr Holden said modestly.
“I feel great pride and great humility, I know a lot of other people haven’t been recognised in this way and I’ll happily accept it on their behalf.”
But Pambula Rotarian Rosie Young couldn’t disagree more.
Frankie J Holden is passionate about his local community and people in need,” Ms Young said. “Despite his very heavy work load and family commitments, his personal community contribution is completely selfless.
“Since moving to Pambula Beach in the early 2000s he has been heavily involved in community issues, and assisting individuals in need.”
Mr Holden has been honoured with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to the arts as an entertainer, and to the community of the Sapphire Coast.
“Frankie J Holden is a much loved icon of the Australian entertainment industry with a diverse career spanning 40 years which includes music entertainment, film, television roles and television presentation, stage performance and corporate speaking,” Ms Young said.
But what has impressed Ms Young most about Mr Holden in the past 12 years he has lived on the Sapphire Coast is his the way he always steps up and helps out the local community.
“He is often the first person approached when the community identifies a need, be it a project or an individual in need,” she said.
“He has worked tirelessly for several years as the Publicity Officer for this voluntary committee, dealing with press, radio, television, websites and other media to work towards saving the hospital.”
Mr Holden was also instrumental in raising funds to enclose and heat the Pambula Swimming Pool.
He arranged fellow artists to perform at 14 “Sapphire Rock” fundraising concerts and secured major sponsorship for these events, helping Pambula Rotary to raise over $350,000.
Mr Holden said he couldn’t have helped the Sapphire Coast community or achieved nearly as much in the entertainment industry without his wife Michelle Pettigrove.
“To receive an award like this you have to be very busy, and I couldn’t have been as busy without the love and support of Michelle,” he said.
“She has been there for so much of it all and has helped in every way, this award is as much hers as it is mine.”
Mr Holden is one of more than 70 people from all over the country who has been honoured with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.