Chartered accountant Allan Williams receives Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Sutherland Shire
Allan Williams OAM
An Engadine chartered accountant who helped establish the National Boer War Memorial in Canberra has received the Medal of the Order of Australia.
Allan Williams, 89, received a Queen's Birthday Honour for service to the community of Sutherland Shire.
But he has actually put his accounting skills to use as an honorary auditor and honorary financial adviser for dozens of clubs, associations and organisations across Sydney.
Mr Williams has served as honorary auditor at the Australian Veterans and Defence Services Council, Defence Force Welfare Association NSW, National Boer War Memorial Association, Royal Australian Armoured Corps Association (NSW), Sutherland Shire Netball Association and Engadine Bowling Club.
He has also served as honorary financial advisor at various Returned and Services League Sub-Branches, including Maroubra, Botany and the former Earlwood Ex-Servicemen's Club and Sutherland Stingrays netball club.
He is an honorary life member of the City Tattersalls Club.
Mr Williams joined Engadine's bushfire brigade during the disastrous bushfire season in 1957.
He was a former member of Engadine Lions Club and former secretary and treasurer of Sutherland Amateur Swimming Club, which was instrumental in having the first Sutherland pool built.
He also volunteered with the Northcott Society, which works with children with disabilities, and Engadine Aged Day Care.
He still works as a chartered accountant from his home office.
He first became involved with the Royal Australian Armoured Corps Association (NSW) before his work expanded to include other associations.
From there, he started helping out at Victoria Barracks, which is where the idea began for a memorial in honour of Australians who fought in the Boer War.
The National Boer War Memorial Association was formed in 2008.
"I knew of the requirement to become a registered charity," he said.
"It was the first conflict Australia was involved in, but there was no memorial."
The association worked for 10 years to see the memorial, featuring four men on horseback, come to fruition.
"They are all achievements and you sort of get through one thing and start on another one, but the National Boer War Memorial is my crowning achievement," Mr Williams said.
"It is a very good thing that should have always been there.
"Those fellows in 1899 decided to go to fight a war in South Africa. Three thousand horses also went and never came back."