Terry Wetherall, of Mangerton, is being recognised with an AM for significant service to business and commerce, the superannuation sector and the community.
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Mr Wetherall was humbled by the honour and said it was a very proud moment for him.
"My father Ray Wetherall received an OAM for his work for the community and services to RSL," he said.
Mr Wetherall said it was nice to think people have not only nominated you but put some value in the things you hold dear.
"I just love this city," he said. "It has so many strong attributes. It is a wonderful place to live with wonderful people.
"I have met some great people through my association with the chamber movement. And I think collectively we have achieved some good things such as the successful move to bring car carriers to the city. It was good for me to be a part of all that".
Born in England Mr Wetherall's family moved to Primbee when he was two.
"My father saw lots of opportunities here," he said.
"He served right through the war. He was living in London when I was born and it was pretty tough going".
Ray Wetherall worked as a bricklayer and formed strong links with the RSL.
Terry Wetherall attended Hurlstone Agricultural High School in Glenfield and his first job was as a cadet health surveyor for Wollongong City Council. He then went to Harden to work for the council before managing the local abattoir.
Mr Wetherall then returned to Wollongong to work for the council again before becoming involved in the Australia Steel Mill Services project at Port Kembla steelworks. After that he started TCW Consulting and became actively involvement in many business organisations. Which led him to represent the city, region and state on many levels.
Between 2015 and 2017 he served as president of the Australian Chamber of Commerce. Prior to that Mr Wetherall was president of the NSW Business Chamber and before that president of the Illawarra Business Chamber.
Mr Wetherall is a director of Industry SuperFunds and chair of CareSuper. And presently a member of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development's Cities Reference Group, Planning Institute of Australia and the Australian Property Institute.
He is a Justice of the Peace and founding member of the One Door Mental Health Illawarra Committee formerly known as Light and Hope and is a fundraising committee member of the Light and Hope Mental Health Clubhouse.
Mr Wetherall became president of Illawarra Rugby after playing for Kiama. And was active in trying to get an Illawarra team into the Sydney Rugby competition.
He has also served on the sub branch of the Port Kembla RSL.
"I was a national serviceman posted to Papua New Guinea.in 1968/69," he said.
"My father gave so much time to the RSL movement and those involved in it. That was his great passion"
Mr Wetherall said it has been wonderful to live in Wollongong for so many years and watch the city and his family grow.
His said professionally he has particularly enjoyed involvement in the chamber movement while maintaining his own planning business.
Illawarra Business Chamber statement:
The Illawarra Business Chamber added its voice to the congratulations of its former president Terry Wetherall on Monday.
The chamber described Mr Wetherall as a long-standing champion of business.
Illawarra Business Chamber Regional Advisory Council president Amy Harper said that the award was a timely recognition for Mr Wetherall, who has worked to support his community over so many years.
"Terry has worked behind the scenes over many years to promote, support and grow business across not only the Illawarra region, but throughout New South Wales and Australia to elevate our economy," said Ms Harper.
"We are so proud to have his service acknowledged in this way - it is so greatly deserved."
Illawarra Business Chamber executive director Adam Zarth said that Mr Wetherall's leadership of the business chamber movement over many years has left a lasting imprint, and his advocacy has improved conditions for many thousands of Australian businesses.
"Terry has been a powerful supporter, friend and mentor to many of us in business, and across the wider community over so many years," said Mr Zarth.
"I'd like to congratulate him and his family for this well-deserved recognition of his strong and tireless advocacy for small businesses across our region - and the nation."
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