FORMER transport operator and Albury mayor Arch McLeish made a significant contribution to the city when his company trucked the Uiver over from Sydney about 35 years ago.
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Mr McLeish said they had a permit to take the plane along Hume Street and on to the freeway but he had his driver parade the body of the DC-2 down the main street.
“We paraded the fuselage down Dean Street, people got a real good look,” he said.
“It took about five loads back and forth from Sydney and it was a donation and favour for Rotary.”
The Rotary Club of Albury North foundation member today receives the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to the community.
Mr McLeish, who spent four years in the navy after enlisting at 18, said he was honoured by the award but felt there were others more worthy.
The president of the Naval Association of Australia, Albury-Wodonga sub-section, dedicated the award to everyone he had ever worked alongside.
“I attribute it a lot to the people who worked with me, my loyal staff have always been supportive and also the wonderful people at Rotary,” he said.
“The same goes to the council, the staff there and elected members.”
Mr McLeish was the regional chairman of the Murray-Darling Basin Association from 2000-2002 and the deputy chairman for two years.
He cited the development of the waste water treatment plant from conception to completion as a highlight of his time on the council.
Mr McLeish is also proud of the fund-raising work Rotary has done for the new Albury-Wodonga Cancer Centre.
“My wife, Margaret, spent some time in St Vincent’s hospital in Melbourne about 13 years ago and while she was there I stayed in a hotel,” he said.
“I was the loneliest bloke in Melbourne during that time.
“I am proud to help out the cancer centre and can relate to people needing somewhere to stay when their loved one is in hospital.”