This year, nine residents and three community groups have been nominated for Council's 2020 Australia Day Awards.
These awards are an opportunity to formally acknowledge extraordinary individuals and community groups who make an outstanding contribution to the community in fields such as community service, arts and culture, environment, business, economic development and sport, for Citizen of the Year; Senior Citizen of the Year; Young Citizen of the Year; and Community Group of the Year.
Lorraine Ellis - Enfield
Lorraine Ellis has been nominated for her contribution to a number of community groups in Dereel, including; the Dereel Walking Group, Dereel Garden Group, Community Planning Group and the Dereel Community Hub Committee as co-Secretary. Along with others, Lorraine has been instrumental in re-establishing the Swamp Track and establishing new events at the Dereel Community Hub Café. She is also a committee member of the Rokewood RSL. Lorraine has been nominated for Citizen of the Year and Senior Citizen of the Year.
Mary Foster - Meredith
Mary Foster has been a resident of Meredith for more than 30 years, and has been nominated for her dedication to the health needs of her community. A nurse, Mary was a foundation member of the Meredith Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a highly trained group of volunteers who are first responders for emergency medical care. Mary is also a member of the Lions Club of Meredith & District, and actively involved with St Joseph’s Church, Meredith. Mary has been nominated for Citizen of the Year.
Jake Alford - Inverleigh
Jake Alford is active in the Inverleigh and Teesdale sporting community, and also runs his own glazing business. He is both a sponsor of the Inverleigh Football & Netball Club, and coaches the club’s Under 15s team. Jake is also a member of the Teesdale Cricket Club committee. Jake has been nominated for Citizen of the Year.
Gus Pearl – Teesdale
As a member of the CFA for 40 years, Gus Pearl has been nominated for his volunteer work with many groups from Teesdale and the surrounding area. Gus volunteers his time at the Teesdale and Shelford Primary Schools, local kindergartens and the Mick Macks for events at Turtle Bend. He has also been Santa’s helper for the Teesdale CFA for 20 years, and volunteers with the Bannockburn Lions Club. Gus has been nominated for Citizen of the Year and Senior Citizen of the Year.
Jim Hynds - Meredith
A member for many years, Jim Hynds has been nominated for his dedication to the Meredith Senior Citizens Group. Jim joined the Meredith Senior Citizen group to help and assist senior members of the community, and is responsible for running the group’s bus trips, as well as being a great support to all members. Jim has been nominated for Citizen of the Year and Senior Citizen of the Year.
Matthew Jury - Maude
Matthew Jury has been a volunteer member of the Lethbridge CFA for 24 years, joining when he was just 16 years old. Now the Captain of the brigade, Matthew is also involved with the Lethbridge Tennis Club as both a current player and committee member. He has worked tirelessly for both organisations to raise funds and recruit new members and players. Matthew has been nominated for Citizen of the Year.
Brad McKenzie - Bannockburn
Brad McKenzie has been nominated for his work with the Black Dog Institute. A trained community presenter for the institute, which is dedicated to reducing the incidence of mental illness and its stigma, Brad shares his experience with schools, community groups and businesses on a voluntary basis. He also regularly raises money for the Black Dog Institute, through charity walks including from Mildura to Bannockburn, and along the Great Wall of China. Brad has been nominated for Citizen of the Year.
Una Miller – Inverleigh
Una Miller has been an active member of the Inverleigh community since moving to the town 13 years ago. A life member of the Country Women’s Association, Una is a mentor for younger members of the Inverleigh CWA, and goes out of her way to assist other members of the community. She is also an active member of the Inverleigh Presbyterian Church, Inverleigh Progress Association and the local walking group. Una has been nominated for Senior Citizen of the Year.
Minh-Chau Ho - Dereel
Minh-Chau Ho has a passion for maths and languages, and is always happy to help her classmates, younger students and neighbours in their studies. She helps her Vietnamese classmates with their school work, learning English and Australian culture. Minh-Chau also spends her spare time helping her parents with community fundraising events to support the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Ballarat Foundation. Minh-Chau has been nominated for Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year.
Anzac Day Service, Inverleigh
The Inverleigh RSL ensures the Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services in Bannockburn, Teesdale, Shelford and Inverleigh are run rain, hail or shine. The volunteer driven events are promoted nationally, and attract over 500 visitors from across the Shire, Victoria, Australia and internationally. The Anzac Day Service, Inverleigh has been nominated for Community Group of the Year.
Inverleigh Dachshund Derby
Approaching its ninth year, the Inverleigh Dachshund Derby is a mainstay on the Golden Plains community events calendar. The event is designed around families and their pets, and is open to all dogs up to 30cm at the shoulder. The Derby brings many visitors into the Shire, and brings together locals, businesses, and sporting clubs to put on the event. The next Derby is on 1 March 2020. The Inverleigh Dachshund Derby has been nominated for Community Group of the Year.
Bannockburn Bush Parkrun
The Bannockburn Bush Parkrun event is run weekly, at the same time each week as other parkruns across Australia and the world. Participants range from infants in prams to those in their 80s, and participants can complete the 5km course at their own pace, be it 18 minutes or over an hour. The event is volunteer run, and has helped local residents cross paths with people from different ages, social circles and locations. In addition to improving participants’ physical health, it has helped local cafes, where runners are encouraged to meet after the run. The Bannockburn Bush Parkrun has been nominated for Community Group of the Year.
Congratulations to all local residents nominated for a Golden Plains Shire Australia Day Award in 2020. The announcement of this year’s winners will be held on Tuesday 28 January 2020, at a special presentation at the Bannockburn Cultural Centre, which will also feature a celebration of 20 years of Community Partnerships.