Congratulations to Owen Webb of House of Kolor who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) 2015 for his outstanding and meritorious service to the community.
Webb, who is the Chief Steward of Summernats, has been recognised for his charity work, training and support and contribution to the motoring enthusiast community.
Webb started out as a spray painter and in 1988 he worked closely with Jim Frecklington on the construction and painting of the Queen's Australian State Coach - earning him a personal audience with the Queen.
Owen has built a number of vehicles. His most high-profile show-stopper was a blue XY Falcon (Wild Thing) scored Top Three and Top Undercarriage at the inaugural Summernats in 1988.
He has served as as Summernats Chief Steward for 26 years and is Chief Steward and primary organiser for Meguiar's MotorEx.
Webb is also also dedicated to giving back through charity work especially through MotorEx Cruise for Charity, Hand Brake Turn initiative, Anson Street School (Orange) and Sunrise Village. Cruise for Charity is an Australia-wide series of enthusiast cruises that raises significant funds for Camp Quality. Hand Brake Turn initiative is a youth scholarship organisation which provides intensive automotive training and social skills development for disadvantaged kids. Anson Street School caters to special needs students, for whom Owen assisted a good friend in setting up a panel beating and spray painting program.
Webb was instrumental in organising the Air Brushers Charity Spray Off, with 15 of Australia's most talented airbrush artists. This initiative raised over $150,000 for abandoned and maimed Cambodian children at Sunrise Village. Over the years he's developed specialist paint application training programs. He teaches these programs around Australia at TAFE colleges along with businesses, particularly in remote areas that typically do not have access to this type of training.
Source: www.motoractive.com.au