June 8, 2020
Murgon Business and Development Association president – and well-known local businessman – Leo Geraghty has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Leo was formally recognised for his service to the Murgon community.
He has been president of the MBDA for about 14 years – or in the words of his wife, Glenda … “too long”.
He has been also been publishing Murgon’s popular monthly community news magazine, “Murgon Moments”, for about the same length of time.
Leo is the dealer principal of Clifton Motors, a business where he was first employed at the age of 15 in 1961 as a “bowser boy”.
About 45 years ago, he went into partnership with Lawrence Williams in the business, and then took it over outright about 25 years ago.
Although Leo is now one of the best-known faces in Murgon, he was actually born at Babinda in North Queensland.
His father was a stationmaster, which meant Leo lived in multiple towns as he was growing up: Babinda, Chillagoe, Tingoora, Yarraman and Proston before the family moved to Murgon.
When his father was transferred to South Brisbane, Leo – then aged 15 – begged to stay in Murgon and his family relented so long as he boarded with a well-respected local family.
One of Leo’s jobs working as bowser boy was to pump up the tyres of the pushbikes of students cycling to school.
Among these young cyclists was his future wife, Glenda, who lived at Johnstown West.
The couple was married in 1967.
A small celebration was held in Murgon for Leo on Monday afternoon.
Local councillor Kathy Duff joined Jim and Evelyn Kingston at the afternoon tea at The Murgon Cafe.
BIEDO CEO Kristy Frahm and South Burnett Mayor Brett Otto also dropped in to congratulate Leo.
on Monday afternoon
Congratulations Leo. Very well deserved. Glenda might want you to retire, but once you get an award like this, you seem to work even harder.
Your siblings in Brisbane are so proud of you.
Congratulations Uncle Leo from all the Geraghtys and Plews in Sydney.
Congratulations uncle Leo 👍
Congratulations Leo. Have known you for a long time, and it’s so wonderful to see an award of this nature going to someone really deserving.
Congratulations Leo. We are so proud of you and Glenda and all you have both contributed to make Murgon such a vibrant community. All your hard work deserves this recognition. Mony
Congratulations Leo. Your dedication has paid off.