Emerald artist John Dudley has been named Cardinia Shire Senior Citizen of the Year. Picture: Nigel Clements
EMERALD’S John Dudley has done his country proud on more than one occasion.
The former naval commander was honoured last week to be named the Cardinia Shire’s Senior Citizen of the Year as part of Australia Day celebrations.
The 78-year-old Picasso was recognised for his continued support of the arts in the hills, as a community advocate and as a member of the Emerald RSL.
Mr Dudley served his country for the first time during the Korean War after joining the navy in 1951.
Not long after war broke out he decided it was time to do his bit for peace.
Mr Dudley’s father and uncle had both served with the navy in World War I.
“I joined up to fly,” he said.
Mr Dudley served more 10 years in the navy before retiring and rejoining as a reservist.
He trained in the United Kingdom before serving in the Mediterranean, south-east Asia and in the Atlantic.
After leaving the navy, Mr Dudley continued working for the Department of Defence as a civilian.
During this time he had studied a number of languages and in 1967 landed himself a role as the Chinese broadcast controller of overseas programs at the ABC.
Mr Dudley said his passion for painting had grown from a childhood interest which he never got the chance to pursue.
It wasn’t until he joined the ABC in 1967 that he got time to start developing his art.
“I would work nights so I had all day to study and paint and it just grew from there,” Mr Dudley said.
He moved to Emerald more than 25 years ago to retire and concentrate on his painting.
Since moving to the hills, he has been anything but the retiring type.
Mr Dudley has been on a number of committees, from the Friends of Emerald Library to the town’s village committee.
He was also recognised for his service to the Emerald Art Society.
Currently the president, Mr Dudley has been working to boost the profile of art in the region since joining in 1990.
Mr Dudley said he was shocked, humbled and honoured by the accolades.
