Given for service to the community of Yarrawonga, Mr Keenan’s decades-long community service includes 67 years with the Country Fire Authority in which he was Yarrawonga Brigade Captain for 30 years from 1976-2006 and Almonds Fire Brigade Captain for 10 years during his 1957-1975 time at Almonds.
For 10 years during the 1970s and 1980s, the now 87-year-old was Controller, Yarrawonga Unit of the Victorian State Emergency Service.
He is a Life Member of the Country Fire Authority, Ambulance Victoria, was made an Honorary Life Member of Yarrawonga and District Agricultural and Pastoral Association in 2000 and was a Council member from 1970 to 2000.
Since 1957, Mr Keenan has been a member of the Country Fire Authority, was Deputy Group Officer and Group Communications Officer for 20 years, a delegate, Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria for two years and in 2018, received the 60 Year Medal, Country Fire Authority.
During his 16 years as a councillor on Moira Shire Council from 2000 to 2016, Mr Keenan was mayor in 2013. In 2015, he received the 15 Year Service Award, Municipal Association of Victoria.
His community service also includes being a Justice of the Peace since 1989, a Bail Justice from 1989 to 2005, a founding member Goulburn-Murray Irrigation Diversions, Chairman, Mid Murray Water Services Committee for 15 years and Chairman, Victorian Branch, Australian Braham Breeders Association for 10 years.
Of his OAM, Mr Keenan said he was very privileged because he carries it “on behalf of all the volunteers who have worked hard to achieve outcomes”.
“I’m a flag bearer for them,” he told the Yarrawonga Chronicle. “Right from settlement, extraordinary things have been achieved to make this country what it is today.
“I just can’t emphasise enough the work of volunteers I’ve worked alongside and all other volunteers in Yarrawonga and district. They’ve not only achieved but have been or are good friends of mine.”
Mr Keenan had no hesitation in mentioning his biggest achievement. “Marrying Shirley (in 1956) was my most significant achievement,” he said.
“We did everything together – we travelled, worked together – never had an argument. You don’t get married to have an argument but to live together. You no longer exist to live as individuals but as a team.” Shirley passed away in 2017.
For all his life, Mr Keenan has lived in Yarrawonga, was born at Yarrawonga Hospital on March, 3 1936, and has been a wonderful volunteer and leader for several organisations for several decades in the community he loves.
“Yarrawonga is exceptional. I think it will go from strength to strength,” said Mr Keenan who would like to see Yarrawonga, Rutherglen and Wangaratta join forces to become a provincial city.
Shirley Keenan was named Yarrawonga’s 1991 Citizen of the Year for her outstanding community service which included CFA Yarrawonga Group Communications Officer for 16 years. Brian and Shirley established Brian Keenan Real Estate in Yarrawonga, with Shirley attending to all the administration duties.
Mr Keenan’s brother Adrian (Doc) Keenan said the national award to Brian was well deserved. “My Late wife Dawn and I showed Brian the way to becoming a shire president or mayor of a shire!” Doc said.
Dawn Keenan was shire president in 1981 and 1982. She was the first female councillor on the former Yarrawonga Shire Council and the first female shire president. The title of shire president changed to mayor upon municipal amalgamation in 1994.
Doc was shire president of Yarrawonga in 1989 and still claims Yarrawonga won the football premiership in that year because he was shire president!
Mr Keenan’s daughter Jane Moore said her parents have been an inspiration to her, and many others.
“For Dad to be acknowledged for his service to the community of Yarrawonga is just wonderful and so deserving. Even though the Order of Australia Medal is given to Dad for his service it was not without Mum alongside him all the way,” she said.
“Mum was so proud of Dad, like we all are, and if she was here today she would still be by his side, acknowledging the incredible man he is and be so proud that it has finally eventuated.
“He never stops giving and still to this day he helps numerous people, hassles the Moira Shire Council if he believes they are wrong, signs people’s papers as JP, rides down the street every morning to get his paper and goes out the farm and tinkers with his machines.”
