“When I was handed the letter from my son, I thought it was a scam.”
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Shepparton’s Dale Wright still can’t believe that he has been formally recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
“Overwhelming is an understatement,” Mr Wright said.
He said the award had made him reflect on the thousands of people he had encountered through his work.
“I feel as if I've been on the road of doing, and someone has tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘Look behind you,’” Mr Wright said.
“All these faces are just nodding and smiling, and visualising that is overwhelming because I've never looked back on what I do.
“It’s a reality check because I just didn't know I was making a difference.”
For Mr Wright, his service to the community has come naturally for over 40 years.
“Community service is not a chore, it's just part of life.”
Mr Wright said with a laugh that many of his best decisions started with “five seconds of madness”, which he described as a willingness to put his hand up.
Seeing a gap in men’s mental health care, he decided to found Talking Straight, where small groups of men from all ages and backgrounds come together in a 13-week program.
“It came about 30 years ago when I realised there was nothing out there for men who are going through a bad time,” he said.
“If it stops one man from suicide, then it’s worth it.”
The space where participants meet reflects the amount of men Talking Straight has helped.
“There are around 250 hand prints on the walls, and each square is a group who have come through,” Mr Wright said.
“I see the changes from the first night, when they’re terrified, to the bonding and the camaraderie and the respect that they show each other.”
Mr Wright recalled that some participants had arrived in tears, terrified to take the first step.
In one case, he overheard other members of the group reassuring a newcomer.
“I heard the men say, ‘Come on, it’s okay, mate, we’ll look after you.’”
Mr Wright’s service to the community is not limited to Talking Straight, in fact, his life of volunteering started when a priest asked him to play the organ at church.
“He said, ‘Kid, just come and play in the background at St Brendan's for a couple of weeks.’ Meanwhile, 43 years later, I’m still there.”
He is now the co-ordinator of the Stations of the Cross production and the co-ordinator for music at the parish.
Many might also recognise Mr Wright from his photography business, Dale Wright Portrait Maker.
“I’ve been in business for 51 years,” he said.
From weddings to baby and debutant photography, Mr Wright has seen many locals through every stage of life.
“In some cases, I’ve actually played for their family funerals,” he said.
Throughout the ups and downs, Mr Wright has always embraced change, especially in his career.
“I've come from black and white photography to colour then to digital and now to computers,” he said.
Through it all, his family has been by his side.
“They are my life,” Mr Wright said.
“They are the ones that have sacrificed for me to do the things I do.”
Mr Wright said he had also found family within the community.
“I’ve made some really good mates who I’ve laughed and cried with,” he said.
Grateful to receive one of the country’s highest honours, Mr Wright said he wished to thank whoever nominated him.
He also encouraged others to get more involved with the community.
“Don't be afraid to step up — don't be afraid of that five seconds of madness,” he said.