Council congratulates the Community Impact Award nominees for the Golden Plains Shire Council Community Awards 2020.
The Golden Plains Shire Council (GPSC) Community Awards 2020 are an opportunity to formally acknowledge extraordinary individuals and community groups who make an outstanding contribution to Golden Plains Shire.
This year, an impressive field of local residents and community groups have been nominated by their fellow community members for awards in four categories: Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and Community Impact Award.
Congratulations to the four nominees for the GPSC Community Impact Award 2020:
Batesford, Fyansford, Stonehaven Landcare Group
The Batesford, Fyansford, Stonehaven Landcare Group (BFS Landcare Group) is a small group of dedicated volunteers, who have been advocating for and restoring the natural environment in the Batesford area for more than 20 years. As active advocates for the natural environment, the BFS Landcare Group have been instrumental in protecting land, expanding and improving reserves, engaging community groups and schools and leading revegetation and pest plant and animal control in local reserves. A recent highlight has been the transformation of Red Gum Reserve from an open weedy paddock to a wonderful biodiverse reserve. Congratulations BFS Landcare Group!
Equihands Youth Leadership
The Equihands Youth Leadership program has been nominated for the Community Impact Award for its success in teaching local youth self-awareness and self-confidence. The program for Golden Plains and Geelong region youth aged 12 to 18 years incorporates interactions with horses, social engagement through food, and the use of virtual reality to achieve its goals. These learning experiences supported participants to develop leadership and life skills that allow them to better engage with their families, peers and communities. A total 43 participants attended the program between July 2019 and March 2020, and was instrumental in creation and construction of the Meredith Community Garden. Congratulations Equihands Youth Leadership.
Smythesdale Cemetery Trust
The Smythesdale Cemetery Trust was nominated for its significant contribution to the Smythesdale community. A volunteer organisation with a combined total of 185 years of experience, the Trust serves the community by providing cemetery services, maintaining the cemetery in operational condition, and assisting with genealogical research – with its longest-serving member having volunteered for 42 years! The Trust holds four meetings each year, alongside site inspections and regular working bees, which were able to continue during 2020 with the cemetery being considered an essential service, ensuring the site was maintained. Congratulations Smythesdale Cemetery Trust!
Woady Yaloak Warriors
The Woady Yaloak Warriers has been nominated for its efforts to provide children in the north of the Shire opportunities to participate in football and netball. The team have successfully hosted a ‘Come and Try Day’, which saw more than 80 children from the Shire attend and demonstrate an interest in the club. The Woady Yaloak Warriors had set their sights on entering the Ballarat Football Netball League in 2020, however this was put on hold due to COVID-19. The club used the time without competitions to secure access to the Woady Yaloak Recreation Reserve in Smythesdale for future home matches and training and working to secure sponsors and supporters. Congratulations Woady Yaloak Warriors!
The GPSC Community Awards 2020 nominees will be recognised, and the award-winners will be named, at Council’s 11am Australia Day event on Tuesday 26 January, along with the Citizenship Ceremony. Due to COVID guidelines, event attendance is limited and by invitation, however the event will be livestreamed on Council’s YouTube channel. A link will be provided the day prior to the event at Council’s website: goldenplains.vic.gov.au.
For more information on the GPSC Community Awards 2020 nominees, click here.