FOR Martin Corkery, service has been his life, and receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia in the King’s Birthday Honours has come as a great surprise.
“I like doing things for other people – it’s as simple as that,” he said.
“Looking after them and caring for them in any way I can.”
The OAM recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement, with the medal being awarded for service worthy of particular recognition.
Mr Corkery was awarded the honour “for service to youth through early education, and to the community”.
He has served on multiple boards and appointments in the youth and education service arena, including national delegate on the National Childcare Forum Council (2004-), President of Childcare Queensland (2004-2006), and Delegate of the Family and Community Advisory Panel for the Federal Government in 2004.
Mr Corkery said the importance of education could not be understated.
“The important thing is when children come into this world, hopefully they’ve got good sound parents who can teach them about life,” he said.
“With education, they don’t have to be wealthy – these days governments help with grants.
“When I was at school, I got scholarships and my parents couldn’t afford anything.
“When I left school, I didn’t have any proper education and I did a course whilst at sea, an economics degree.
“It took me six years because in those days we didn’t have the internet, we used to post everything.”
His service is evident across the Ipswich region as an active member of the Rotary Club of Ipswich since 2000.
He is also a businessman and co-founder of Children First Learning Centres, which he helped establish in 1991, and was a 2024 Queensland Senior Australian of the Year Finalist.
“We now have two childcare centres, one in Brisbane and one in Canberra, with the senior staff operating in Ipswich and doing a marvellous job.
“We hope those children then will go into the world, with a good education, sound, and be a useful person in the community.”
