The enormity of that community service resulted in the 84-year-old being recognised for an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the King’s Birthday 2024 Honours list on Monday, June 10.
Mr Boswell has an incredible background of leadership roles in community, sporting and business organisations, and in personal achievements in all areas.
Born in Howlong, he attended Howlong Primary School and Albury High School, and was a charted accountant from 1970 to 2004.
With Howlong Junior Football Club, Mr Boswell, at age 17, was secretary in 1957, and in 1958 before being captain and best and fairest in 1959. With Howlong Seniors Football Club, he was on the committee for four years, including three years as treasurer and was the coach from 1960 to 1963, seeing the Spiders climb up the ladder to finals.
With Howlong Cricket Club, he was a treasurer and committee member where he was also a star cricketer – a number 3 batsman – representing Rutherglen and District Cricket Association, North East Victoria Cricket Association then Albury and Border Cricket Association, Southern Riverina Cricket Association and Victorian Country Colts.
A handy golfer, Mr Boswell was admired for his football and cricket performances – which also included as Jindera Football Club coach for two years and one year coaching Kergunyah Football Club, and cricketing with Howlong, Jindera and Albury SS and A clubs - that led to an Australian Sports Medal in 2000.
He was a treasurer of Howlong Pony Club for 10 years and served on Howlong’s Lowe Square Reference Group for five years.
At Howlong Country Golf Club, the OAM recipient served on the committee for a staggering 43 years, comprising 21 years as president and 42 years as treasurer. He became the inaugural president of Murray District Golf Association, serving in the role for four years.
Mr Boswell is a three-time Life Member, of the Murray District Golf Association, Howlong Country Golf Club and Albury West Primary School where he served as treasurer for 16 years. At Albury Preschool, he served as president for six years and seven as treasurer; at Albury West Preschool, seven years as treasurer.
His service in Rotary has been exceptional: Rotary District 9790, Rotary International, Chair, Finance Committee, 2009-2010; Chairman, Vocational Service Committee, one year; Rotary Club of Albury West, Rotary International, President, 1988-1989, treasurer, Board Member, 25 years, former Sergeant at Arms, family host, International students, 10 years, member, since 1985.
In 1994, at Rotary Club of Albury West, Mr Boswell was made a Paul Harris Fellow – the highest individual award in Rotary – and in 2005, was made a Club Legend of Rotary Club of Albury West.
The former Chartered Accountant, Morley Boswell Haebich, Albury, and Price Waterhouse claimed the Walter E Savage Memorial Prize - first place in Australia in Company Law examination conducted by The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. For ten years, was Manager, The Albury Club.
His vast community service included Volunteer, Meals on Wheels, Albury West Albury Club, 31 years, Founder of the Probus Club of Albury, 1995, a member of Albury Apex Club for 13 years and was an Honorary Auditor of various charities for a decade.
At St David's Uniting Church, Albury, Mr Boswell was a Vice-Chair, Church Council, treasurer and chairman of the church fair organising committee; was chairman and treasurer of St David's Close Retirement Units, all roles for several years.
When The Free Press caught up with Mr Boswell, he said he was somewhat embarrassed about receiving an OAM. “Embarrassed?” The Free Press asked.
“I’m very humbled and privileged to receive this award,” he replied. “There are many wonderful memories in Howlong for me.”
Mr Mick Morris, from Morris Wines Rutherglen and shortly to turn 96-years-of-age, said: “Firstly, I want to say that Lance is thoroughly deserving of the medal.
“Lance played cricket and football and fitted in tremendously meeting all the sporting people – that alone is a great tribute,” Mr Morris told The Free Press.
“He was a great football coach. Howlong football was in a bit of trouble and Lance was approached to come in as coach. He coached without payment – he accepted that and he was very successful. Two years he was best and fairest and won the Azzi Medal for best and fairest player (1959) in the Hume league.
“He contributed to the golf club where he was treasurer for 42 years and president 21 years and at that stage the club attracted a lot of people to Howlong. If ever there was a project at the golf club, they’d always ask Lance can the club afford it? He was ‘Mr Golf’ you could just about say. He was also the first president of Murray District Golf Association and on the executive for 10 or 11 years. He was regarded highly by the other clubs.”
Mr Miller spoke of Lance’s Rotary achievements, emphasising the Paul Harris Fellow recognition. “I can’t speak highly enough of Lance,” Mr Miller concluded about Lance who has been married to wife Pam for 60 years.
Long -time Howlong resident and friend David Longley said Lance was heavily involved in the golf club where he was “tremendous” and served the community so well voluntarily.
“Lance was very well respected, very good at all sports and that included boxing in his early years. He is very deserving of an OAM,” Mr Longley said.
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