By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
A MEMBER of the Lilydale and District Historical Society has been awarded life membership of the organisation for 45 years of service.
Jim Sawyer received the honour at a meeting in February this year, after joining the society at its inception on 1971.
Mr Sawyer was a councillor for the Shire of Lilydale when he joined with Cr Maurie Seymour and formed the historical society and is the second-oldest surviving member of the society.
As a councillor, Mr Sawyer has been described as always polite and affable but could be very forceful when he felt an injustice was being done.
Mr Sawyer actively supported the society to establish a museum in the old shire offices back then and has continued to be an active and supporting member since then.
A graduate of Dookie Agricultural College, Mr Sawyer took up land after World War I and with his brothers on adjoining properties the Sawyer brothers became very successful dairyfarmers.
Always having a great love of history, many people saw him as part of the district landed gentry but that is one thing Jim isn’t – he is a quiet and modest man who loved the land and his community.
Lilydale and District Historical Society Vice-President, John Brown presented Jim with his framed certificate and several members visited Jim Sawyer at Wantirna Health on Thursday, 14 April.
In reading a citation at the meeting in February, Mr Brown thanked Mr Sawyer for his commitment to the society and the wider community.
“Today, it is with much pleasure I present a Life Membership to James or Jim Sawyer for his support of our society since its inception in 1971.
“Jim you have made a lifelong commitment to your family and your community and we at the Lilydale and District Historical Society have always appreciated your support,” he said.
