EUROA’S own Michael Tehan, a 78-year-old lawyer and community stalwart, was among 503 outstanding Australians to receive a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) this Australia Day.
Mr Tehan said in the 24 hours since the recognition was made public, the response was overwhelming: he was contacted by up to 160 people, many of whom he had not spoken to in over two decades.
“They've all been extremely generous in their comments, and I think a bit excited themselves, and thrilled to have been part of my journey,” he said.
In addition to his work as a senior partner at his law firm, Tehan & George Co, he has been a member of Euroa Rotary Club for over 50 years, has served as a council commissioner and has been involved in organisations including Goulburn Valley Health, Goulburn Valley Football League and GOTAFE, among others.
He is currently a director at GV Health and chair of GVL’s independent tribunal.
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“It's been a privilege for me really to serve in all the organisations that I have,” he said.
“I have a philosophy that if people have a capability… and they get the opportunity, that they should take it.
“That's probably what's happened with me – in some instances it's been my choice; in other instances, I've been encouraged by other people to do something because they've seen that I might make things a bit better.
“I've always felt that you don't get asked to do something unless people believe you can help or make things better, and that's been my philosophy throughout my life.”
Mr Tehan grew up in a house on Kirkland Avenue in Euroa, not far from where the town’s magpie sculpture now sits.
He has lived in the town his whole life, save for his years in Melbourne at Xavier College boarding school and Melbourne University, where he studied law and lived at Newman College.
“At the time when I graduated [from university] I was thinking that I would perhaps go and do another degree, but my dad had an accident and then became unwell, and I came home, and I don't regret that,” he said.
Mr Tehan’s father, John Tehan (better known as Jack), came to Euroa in the 1920s and was also a lawyer, serving at the same law firm, which had been founded in 1885.
“He died when he was only 67, and I was very much a young lawyer, only been out a couple of years,” he said.
Mr Tehan has been senior partner at Tehan George & Co since 1973, the same year his father died.
“I've been fortunate – Euroa’s a great place [and] we’ve got wonderful clients all around Australia,” he said.
He was chosen by Law Institute of Victoria as regional lawyer of the year in 2012.
As a lawyer in a country town, Mr Tehan said he does a lot of work that is beyond the law, in other areas where people need help.
Helping people has been a constant in his life, and it is part of what attracted him to Euroa Rotary Club, where is the longest serving member, having joined in 1970.
One highlight of his time at the club was the establishment of the Rotary barbecue area at Seven Creeks Park, which replaced a canteen and two “disgraceful” toilets.
“Rotary was looking for a project, council was willing to support it and I managed to convince the minister at the time that we needed to pull it down, and they were to fund council; Rotary undertook the project and it's an icon in the town now,” he said.
Mr Tehan has also been involved in Rotary at a district level, including as the legal advisor to the district governor, among other roles.
Another constant in his life is football.
An ardent supporter of both the Euroa Magpies and Collingwood Magpies, he has been the chair of the GVL’s independent tribunal since 2008.
He was also the chair of the GVL’s audit and risk committee from 2008-2022, and chair of the tribunal from 1999-2005.
Mr Tehan was one of three Strathbogie Shire Council commissioners appointed in 1994 when the council was amalgamated.
He served in the role, which is similar to that of an administrator, from 1994-1997.
In addition to Mr Tehan’s current roles with GV Health and GVL’s independent tribunal, he previously served as a board member at the Benalla Performing Arts and Conventions Centre from 2008-2012; chair of GOTAFE from 2007-2017; and chair of the Nagambie Lakes Authority from 1997-2002.
One highlight he recalls of his time as chair of GOTAFE was his advocacy during a time of drought.
“Our biggest challenge was we went through the drought, and that impacted upon everybody,” he said.
“People weren't skilled to deal with the drought or coming out of the drought.
“And at that time the government didn't appreciate the impact it was having across the whole of the community, and I was very strong in my advocacy to have them realise that, so much so that they did.
“And then regional TAFEs were recognised as a body where we could talk together, advocating on behalf of the regions.”
Mr Tehan lives with his wife Jenny and has five adult children, of whom he is very proud, and seven grandchildren.
“I just can't thank [Jenny] enough, frankly – her support has been amazing,” he said.
The legendary lawyer described himself as a “people person” and said he enjoys walking in lieu of driving.
“I don't drive a car unless I really need to drive a car, and as a result you end up meeting and talking to people,” he said.
“I enjoy that immensely – it’s never a quick visit wherever I'm going.”
But he said at 78, people on the street keep asking him when he is going to retire.
“A few months ago an elderly gentleman on Binney Street said to me, ‘when are you retiring?’” he recalled.
“And I said, ‘well, tell me, what's retirement?’
“And his description was, ‘it's repurposing’.
“So, whilst I'm able to be helpful, useful, and do what I should be doing, I like work.
“Retirement is not on my agenda or horizon.”
