Nora Dillon, a founding member of Rutherglen and Cambuslang Housing Association, has been awarded an MBE in the Queens New Year honours list.

The retired teacher helped start the Association back in 1979. She has served the organisation since in a variety of roles, including chairwoman, and is still a member of the committee.

Despite the personal accolade, Nora said much of the credit had to go to the other volunteers she has worked with over the years.

“There are lots of other people on the committee who have been there for many years, and you can multiply that for the whole of Scotland,” she said.

“It’s also an acknowledgement of what the Association has done and I am very proud of that, I’m very grateful but this is recognition of the work everyone does.

“We started with the tenements in Rutherglen and then expanded into Cambuslang. We are not the biggest Association but over the years we have spent nearly £60 million and hopefully a lot of people are in much better housing than they were back then.”

Robert McLeary, the current chair of the Association, said: “I would like to congratulate Nora on receiving this award, Nora has been a colleague over many years and it is good to know that her contribution to the work of the Association has been recognised in this way. It also provides an acknowledgement of the work of her fellow committee members in making the Housing Association the successful organisation it is today.”

While the award was primarily in recognition for her work with Rutherglen and Cambuslang Housing Association, Nora has also volunteered at the local Credit Union for 10 years and is currently on Board of SHARE. Having taught English for many years, Nora went to University as a mature student whilst mothering two small children.

The accolade secured a unique family double as Nora’s sister Geraldine Baird, also a founder member of the Association, was awarded an MBE four years earlier.

Geraldine told Scottish Housing News that Nora “loves drawing artwork and has a sharp humour”.

“Needless to say I love her and she is a wonderful sister to me,” she added.

Looking forward, Nora is confident the Association can still play a key role in the Rutherglen and Cambuslang communities.