Council congratulates the worthy winners of the Golden Plains Shire Council Community Awards 2021.
The Golden Plains Shire Council (GPSC) Community Awards 2021 were presented this evening, Tuesday 25 January, at an outdoor event at Teesdale Turtle Bend Reserve. Following a Citizenship Ceremony, all award nominees were recognised and this year’s winners announced.
The Golden Plains Shire Council Citizen of the Year 2021 is Barry Wemyss of Smythesdale.
Barry is a generous volunteer and advocate for the Golden Plains’ creative community. He is a leading voice in GPArts Inc and helped drive the development of the new Golden Plains Shire Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy 2022-2026 as a member of the Strategy Community Reference Group. Barry was also pivotal in the success of the 2021 Smythesdale Arts and Music Fiesta, bringing the community together after an incredibly challenging year. The Fiesta showcased the talent of established and emerging local artists, with live music, poetry readings, workshops and a visual art exhibition, while also supporting local food vendors and artisans.
The GPSC Citizen of the Year 2021 nominees were Kath Bourke of Bannockburn, Rob McHenry of Inverleigh, Jo Sibbison of Rokewood, and Stuart McCallum of Bannockburn.
The Golden Plains Shire Council Senior Citizen of the Year 2021 is Peter Trevaskis of Inverleigh.
Peter is a passionate member of the community, dedicating countless hours to the Leigh News, Inverleigh's monthly community newsletter. Peter covers news and events across Inverleigh and Golden Plains Shire, providing the community with valuable local information. He works hard to ensure that the Inverleigh community are informed and connected. Peter is a member of the Inverleigh Progress Association (IPA), taking an active role in supporting the Inverleigh Community Plan Survey 2021 and various other projects led by the IPA. He is also involved in the Bannockburn Men’s group, meeting twice a month for a dinner and an outing.
The GPSC Senior Citizen of the Year 2021 nominees were Barry Wemyss of Smythesdale, Stuart McCallum of Bannockburn, Ruth Georgalis of Dereel and Joan Coker of Haddon.
The Golden Plains Shire Council Young Citizen of the Year 2021 is Alisha Nurnaitis of Bannockburn.
Alisha is a passionate and valuable member of the Regional Youth Voice Program, which is made up of 12 young people from 4 local municipalities. The group meet monthly to discuss regional issues that impact young people, with isolation and loneliness key themes in 2021. Alisha has been central to the design of an online resource to support young people experiencing difficulties with the transition from secondary school to further study. The resource aims to normalise the fears and anxiety induced during periods of adolescent transition by hearing from the experiences of young people with lived experience. Alisha brings a mature and considered insight to the group and is passionate about improving opportunities for young people in Golden Plains Shire.
The GPSC Young Citizen of the Year 2021 nominees were Georgia Kitchen of Teesdale, Bridie Orr of Inverleigh, Rachel Kaiser of Maude and Tarni Crocker of Teesdale.
The Golden Plains Shire Council Community Impact Award 2021 was presented to the Woady Yaloak Historical Society.
The Woady Yaloak Historical Society is run by volunteers dedicated to preserving the history of the local area, with a welcoming facility located at The Well in Smythesdale. Forming in 1985, the society researches the area of the former Woady Yaloak goldfields and seeks to document and preserve the history by the acquisition and presentation of documentation. The volunteer hours put into the research is invaluable and an enormous credit to the group.
The GPSC Community Impact Award 2020 nominees were Advance Meredith Association, Meredith History Interest Group Meredith, Rokewood/Corindhap Community Planning Group and Bannockburn Inclusive Disabled and Seniors Group (All Inclusive Coffee Catch-Ups).
Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble congratulated all winners and nominees of this year’s GPSC Community Awards.
“Congratulations to the 15 individuals and 5 community groups that were nominated for this year’s Golden Plains Shire Council Community Awards. Today, we heard a wonderful collection of stories about valuable contributions these impressive nominees made to the Golden Plains Shire community throughout 2021.
“Our four Award-winners are exceptional examples of community spirit and on behalf of Council and the Golden Plains community, I’d like to thank and acknowledge Barry Wemyss, Alisha Nurnaitis, Peter Trevaskis and the Woady Yaloak Historical Society as the winners of the Golden Plains Shire Council Community Awards 2021.”
The Golden Plains Shire Council (GPSC) Community Awards 2021 are an opportunity to formally acknowledge extraordinary individuals and community groups who make an outstanding contribution to Golden Plains Shire.
For more information on all GPSC Community Awards 2021 nominees, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au.
Pictured above are (back row, left to right): Barry Wemyss, GPSC Senior Citizen of the Year 2021; Jim Brown of the Woady Yaloak Historical Society, winner of the GPSC Community Impact Award 2021; with (front row, left to right) Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble; Alisha Nurnaitis, GPSC Young Citizen of the Year 2021; and Peter Trevaskis, GPSC Citizen of the Year 2021.