Now, Mr Head can add ‘recipient of an Order of Australia Medal (OAM)’ to the list.
Mr Head has been awarded a medal for his service to the arts, and to the community of Shepparton.
He said he was “honoured and humbled” to receive the prestigious award.
He still doesn’t know who nominated him, but he assumes it was someone in the local arts community.
The medal is recognition of the many ways in which Mr Head has been actively involved in that community, and the Shepparton community as a whole, for decades.
He’s worn many hats over the years.
Mr Head is a committee member of the Shepparton Theatre Arts Group (STAG), chair of the Shepparton Art Museum Foundation, a founder of the Shepparton Shorts Film Festival, a former chair of the Shepparton Festival, a painter, playwright and actor.
Outside the arts world, Mr Head is the owner and principal podiatrist of Shepparton Foot Clinic, supports podiatry education and is a member of industry groups.
He’s also no stranger to local recognition and awards.
Mr Head was named Citizen of the Year by Greater Shepparton City Council in 2012, a Shepparton Arts Festival award was named in his honour, and he’s won several Georgy Awards for his theatre performances.
Reflecting on this latest addition to his accolades, Mr Head said it served as recognition of continued presence and involvement.
“It recognises longevity,” he said.
“You don’t do a single project and get an OAM, from what I understand.”
But Mr Head said the award was also not just about him.
“You must recognise the family that supports you to go out to all these meetings,” he said.
Mr Head said there were also many others who contributed to the groups and projects in which he’s involved.
“I’m not an island,” he said.
“This is a community award, not just me.”
Mr Head first decided to get involved in the arts scene in Shepparton in the late 1990s.
He’d been considering pursuing the surgical side of his profession and was faced with a decision — move to Melbourne to further that goal or keep his young family in Shepparton.
Ultimately, Shepparton won out.
“So, I decided, okay, I’ve been working as hard as I can to get my business going, it’s time to get involved in the community and give back,” Mr Head said.
Since then, he’s thrown himself into supporting performing and visual arts in the region.
The people he’s met along the way have become dear friends.
This was emphasised for Mr Head just a few months ago when he experienced a near-fatal cardiac arrest.
During his recovery, Mr Head said his community rallied around him.
Most of the meals he received were from members of STAG.
“It brought it home, where the people who love and support you, where they come from,” he said.
His advice to others who want to make an impact in their community is simple.
“Stay involved.”
No matter what your area of interest, Mr Head said, just keep showing up.
He also encouraged people in other areas of interest, who believe there’s someone that deserves recognition, to nominate someone for an award like this one.
His hope is that his recognition, having the OAM at the end of this name, will only help him to serve the arts community better moving forward.
“Having an OAM at the end of your name might increase the chances of being heard,” he said, specifically in relation to funding applications.
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