Highland volunteers recognised in King's Birthday Honours List
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A dedicated community leader who has spent 50 years supporting projects in her Inverness neighbourhood has been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours List.
Anne McCreadie (83) has been awarded the BEM for services to the community in Merkinch.
She is among other volunteers in the Highlands who have also received the BEM.
They include Ina Melville, unit leader of Smithton Girl Guides, for her services to young people and the community of Smithton
Sheila Bruce, musical director, Cancer Fund for Children, Inverness, receives the same honour for services to the the community in Inverness and the Highlands.
Also awarded a BEM is David John Stallard (73), of Fortrose, for services to mental health in the Highlands.
Mrs McCreadie, who is chairperson of Merkinch, Community Centre, began her volunteering career as a young single mum to four children in 1976 when plans for the community centre were being drawn up.
In November, she was presented with Age Scotland’s Jess Barrow Award for Campaigning and Influencing.
The citation for the BEM stated: "An outstanding example of a dedicated community leader, she has spent half a century as a visionary community volunteer, supporting projects benefitting people of all ages, in one of Inverness’s most economically deprived areas."
Mrs McCreadie, who has three surving children, eight grandchildren and a great granddaughter, heard about the honour a few weeks ago and has kept it secret from family and friends.
"It is unbelievable," she said. "I am a bit speechless."
She still volunteers at the community centre most days and her inclusive approach to leadership has been recognised in encouraging individuals, voluntary groups, faith groups and businesses to use the building to work, teach, interact and offer mutual support for the greater wellbeing of all.
"Everyone is so lovely there," she said.
"What else would I be doing if I didn't go there?"
She is also trustee of the Elsie Normington Foundation which was established to create a specialist centre for children and young people with complex needs and has also been involved with other organisations including Women's Aid and Merkinch groups.
Downplaying her voluntary work as an octogenarian, she said: "There are lots of volunteers who are older than me.
"It is important to get involved in community. You get so much out of it."
Ina Melville, the unit leader of 1st Smithton Brownies, was shocked to hear of her award.
"I thought someone was having a laugh," she said. "I was speechless."
She became involved in GirlGuiding 21 years ago because she wanted her daughter to go to Brownies but the unit needed helpers.
She is now Brown Owl – and her granddaughter attends the unit.
She paid tribute to the other leaders involved.
"If it wasn't for the help and support of the other leaders, I would not have got this award," she said.
She outlined why the GirlGuiding movement is important.
"It helps children to develop and grow," she said.
"It is lovely to see a young girl come into Brownies at seven and they are quiet and shy. When they leave at 10, they are confident and looking forward to the next adventure in GirlGuiding.
"We have lots of fun and do different activities."
Ms Melville, who has two daughters and nine grandchildren, is a learning support assistant at Drummond School in Inverness.
David Stallard helped steer an idea in the 1990s into the charity, Befrienders Highland, which helps to reduce loneliness and isolation by matching people with a trained volunteer.
Hundreds of people have had their lives changed through the simple act of friendship.
Mr Stallard, who recently retired as convenor of its board after almost 30 years at the helm, was thrilled to be awarded the BEM.
"I was delighted a charity I helped to set up – Befrienders Highland – put me forward for it," he said.
"It really felt good that they thought I deserved it."
He became involved at the very beginning when as a mental health social work manager in the Highlands, he recognised the significant challenges people with long-term mental ill health faced when they were discharged from hospital care.
He became a volunteer social work advisor with Inverness Action for Mental Health and when the group gained charitable status and became Befrienders Highland, he was invited to join the board.
The charity now supports about 150 people living with mental ill health, caring responsibility or memory loss across the Highlands.
He and his wife, Rosemary, have a son and a daughter and two grandchildren.
