Pauline Carrigan OAM
On Monday12th June 2023 Pauline Carrigan was awarded with the Officer of the Order of Australia for Services to Youth.
Featured Image: Acknowledge ‘The Hunter Valley News’, Wednesday June 14, 2023.
In my earnest opinion this is one of the most apposite of accolades it’s possible to anoint, as in consecration. Pauline has been outstanding in her pursuit of excellence in the field of education of youth in the face of family tragedy and adversity.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (28 August 1749 – 22 March 1832) was a German poet, playwright, novelist, scientist, statesman, theatre director, and critic. His works include plays, poetry, literature, and aesthetic criticism, as well as treatises on botany, anatomy, and colour. He could well have had Pauline in mind when he wrote:
“Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it; boldness has genius, power and magic in it”.
PAULINE CARRIGAN – FOUNDER OF “Where There’s a Will”
Pauline Carrigan would describe herself as a farmer’s wife and married to Hilton, they have lived their married life on a cattle property where they raised their family.
Pauline is the founder, driver, and visionary of ‘Where There’s a Will’. Her momentum, perseverance, and commitment to create a flourishing Upper Hunter community where our youth can thrive are unparalleled. Her exclusive team continually takes inspiration from her. They have succeeded stratospherically.
Pauline’s top character strengths are gratitude, honesty, perseverance, love and creativity. These strengths have changed since the beginning of Pauline’s journey, when she founded Where There’s a Will. Pauline explains, “I came to realise how thankful I was that everyone shared this vision and were willing to work with me. Honesty is something that has grown as I see the importance of sharing why we need to follow the vision of Where There’s a Will.”
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world, “said Nelson Mandela. This is one of Pauline’s favourite quotes. Her belief is that Positive Education will change our Upper Hunter community and she will make it her quest to make that happen.
On local ABC Radio Muswellbrook Tuesday 13 June 2023, Cecelia Connell interviewed Pauline about her award. After first citing the accolade as ‘inappropriate’ Pauline spoke with passion, flair, dignity, eloquence, erudition, and commitment to her cause. Audrey Entwisle wrote in her hagiography to the late Dr Walter Esmond Pye that he was the ‘Man of the 20th Century’ in Scone for his dedication to the cause of Aged Care culminating in The Upper Hunter Village Association, later Strathearn and latterly HammondCare. It is my considered opinion that Pauline Carrigan’s success in launching ‘Where There’s A Will’ for the care of youth ranks alongside that of Dr Walter Pye.