She’s apples for OAM

By Rebecca Fraser
WHEN Narre Warren North orchardist Bill Montague found out he had been awarded a medeal of the Order of Australia it certainly brought a gleam to his eye.
The Queen’s Birthday honour recognised the 79-year-old’s service to the fruit industry through the introduction of a range of innovations to improve the quality of market produce at Montague Orchards.
Mr Montague, who now resides in Blairgowrie, said he was thrilled and surprised to receive the honour.
His sons now operate the orchard, but Mr Montague still sits on the company’s board of directors.
Mr Montague said his adult children, grandchildren and wife Elaine were delighted with the honour. But he said he was still trying to find out who had nominated him.
“I don’t have a clue who it was – absolutely no idea. No one is owning up to it,” he said.
This is not the first time Mr Montague’s contributions to the apple growing industry have been recognised.
More than five years ago he was inducted into the Australian Fresh Fruit Company Hall of Fame and in 1999 was named a Friend of the International Dwarf Treefruit Association of America in recognition of his strong ties with apple growers in the United States.
Mr Montague began the orchard in 1950 and incorporated the family business eight years later.
He was the first to introduce controlled atmosphere storage in Australia in 1967 to better preserve his produce and became the first waxer of supplied fruit in 1977.
Mr Montague has also been credited with introducing nitrogen flushing for controlled atmosphere systems and new varieties of apples.
Mr Montague was a member of the Dandenong Hospital Board for 10 years and is still an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Dandenong.
He is also a former patron of the Victoria State Opera and Opera Australia, a sponsor of the Victorian Art Centre, and a supporter of several organisations including the Epworth Foundation, the Alfred Foundation, the RACV Foundation and Visy Cares.
He will receive the honour later this year.
Gembrook weather watcher Bill Parker was also honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia on Monday. The 91-year-old is Victoria’s longest serving rainfall recorder.
Upper Beaconsfield resident Doctor Geoffrey Vaughan was also made an Officer in the general division of the Order of Australia (AO).