QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS
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One couple's shared love of the Illawarra and its history has led them to receive twin honours in today's Queen's Birthday list.
Dorothy and Kevin Gillis received OAMs for their work in historical research and heritage.
This adds to the Shellharbour Senior Citizen of the Year award they got in 2010.
Mr and Mrs Gillis, both fifth-generation Illawarra residents, met as 15-year-olds and married in 1953.
Their shared passion for history triggered a hobby in local heritage upon retirement to Shellharbour 25 years ago.
They have since served together on the Tongarra Heritage Society - Kevin as president, Dorothy as secretary - and Tongarra Museum, as well as the local chapter of Museums Australia.
"It's a hobby, but it's virtually a full-time hobby," Mr Gillis laughed.
They researched and compiled the 2009 book 150 Years of Shellharbour together, as well as an online trove of over 4000 images of Shellharbour dating to 1850.
They were also instrumental in the research and installation of plaques at historic points around Shellharbour, from the village to Wentworth Cottage.
"You just do these things and you don't realise what you're doing because it's so enjoyable," Mrs Gillis said.
"This work has given us fulfilment and joy."
"We just do what we do, because we enjoy it," Mr Gillis agreed.
"It's the sense of community that we get out of it. Many people have helped us, people in the heritage society, the library, council and the community in general who have let us into their homes and history to share stories."