General News
8 June, 2026
Lifelong volunteer earns OAM: Jeff Pekin honoured for community service
Horsham volunteer Jeff Pekin has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his lifelong service to local sport, inclusion and community groups.
“You’ve got to give back where you can. That’s my theory.”
Lifelong volunteer Jeff Pekin was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List in the General Division for his service to the Horsham community.
An all-abilities advocate, he has chaired the Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly since 2008 and volunteered with the Horsham Rockets, Wimmera Whippets, the Tri State Games and the Tipping Foundation.
Mr Pekin is also a life member of the Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly, Horsham Table Tennis and Imperials Junior Football Club.
The 2019 Horsham Rural City Council citizen of the year was overwhelmed when he received the news.
“I am very honoured to receive the OAM,” he said.
“I suppose I have volunteered all my life… I joined my first committee or subcommittee when I was 14 years old, which was back when Horsham Table Tennis [Association] used to run the Wimmera Open.
“I just enjoy it, and I believe that if you're into a sport or something, you give back.”
For Horsham’s Jeff Pekin, a lifetime of volunteering comes back to giving back to the sports and community groups that supported him.
“When I was a young fella, people were giving up their time to help me, especially with table tennis at that stage,” he said.
“In 2008, I received a valued volunteer award, and the friend there that night I should join the WRSA to give back to them.
“So I've been with the Sports Assembly about 17 years now, chair for the last 15. It’s just something I enjoy.”
Mr Pekin competed at the Australian Masters in 2025, and while he no longer actively competes at the local level, he still finds time to play against his grandchildren when the moment arises.
His love for the sport saw him run an all-abilities competition in Horsham, following in the footsteps of Peter Hart.
“We initially started helping him do the catering,” Mr Pekin said.
“When Peter was getting older, he asked me to take over the running, so I did it for about 18 years.”
Branching out from the local competition, Mr Pekin also volunteers with the Horsham Rockets, which sees him travel with a team of all-abilities athletes.
“We camped for a week; it's like just being in a family,” he said.
“I drive the bus, I cook the barbecues, do fundraising, and whatever needs to be done.”
He said inclusion has come a long way since people with disabilities were limited to living in institutions.
“It was very sad back then,” he said.
“Now they're inclusive in the community. It's come a hell of a long way.
“It’s great to see people with disabilities working in the community.
“I wish I had been involved with people with disabilities years ago.”
He cited Josh Barry's WRSA award as a proud moment.
“When he got the Sports Star of the Year award, it was very pleasing,” Mr Pekin said.
“He'd always got the all-abilities award, but this year he got there on his laurels.
“There are so many great sportspeople in the Wimmera, and he got the award for his hard work.
“It's just good to see your all-abilities guys play in the mainstream competition.”
His work with the Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly extends to the Wimmera Whippets and Grampians Giants, which he said have gone from strength to strength in recent years thanks to continued community support.
“It gives you a great feeling,” he said.
“It's really pleasing to just see the smile on their face. That's what you need.”
Mr Pekin believes he knows who put his name forward and thanked the people who supported his nomination.
He said the OAM is a symbol of the support his family, friends, and community have given him throughout his life.
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