A man of humility and service

21 July 24

On 12 June 2023, RW Bro John Jacobson PDGM was recognised on the King’s Birthday honours list when he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of his contribution to the Ambulance service, Local Government, Freemasonry in NSW and the ACT and to the community at large.

RW Bro Jacobson had various roles in the NSW Ambulance Service: Honorary Service from 1959–69, Permanent Service as Deputy Superintendent from 1969–92, Central Coast Ambulance Service 1977–81and Operational Superintendent in the Central West Region (Bathurst) and North Coast Region (Lismore) from 1981–92.

From 1992–97 he served as Assistant Commissioner on the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay Region, Queensland. He also served in various volunteer positions with St John’s Ambulance NSW, becoming an Honorary Life Member in 1975.

He served in local government from 1966–68 as a Councillor on Junee Council. He made contributions on Hospital Boards, he served as a volunteer firefighter in Bathurst, Junee and Gosford, and has continued to carry out his duties as a Justice of the Peace for over 50 years.

RW Bro John Jacobson has been a Freemason for 55 years with a record to be proud of. He discharged his duties at various lodge and Grand Lodge levels with honour and reputation, and currently serves as the Chairman of Operations and Deputy Chairman of the Board. John looks after some 260 lodges and he is sometimes referred to in masonic circles as the ‘Chairman of everything’ – there is no issue pertaining to operational matters that he can’t solve or resolve! His dedication and commitment to the Craft is exemplary.

We congratulate RW Bro John Jacobson OAM PDGM on this well-deserved honour. It is a most prestigious recognition of his significant impact on society. May he continue to inspire others to make a difference to our country.

By RW Bro Dr Abraham Constantin