Golden Plains Shire Council extends its congratulations to the winners and nominees of the Golden Plains Shire Council (GPSC) Community Awards 2026.
The GPSC Community Awards 2026 were presented at an event held at the Bannockburn Cultural Centre on Thursday 29 January, where all award nominees were recognised and this year’s winners announced.
The 2026 Golden Plains Shire Council Young Community Hero of the Year is Declan Davidson.
Declan has been a member of the Golden Plains Youth Council for 2 years, currently representing the committee as Youth Mayor. He is Wreck Leader for the Victorian Youth Parliament and supports the Food Relief Working Board. He is also a volunteer tutor at the Regional Education Support Network.
Joint winners of the 2026 Golden Plains Shire Council Senior Community Hero of the Year are the late Wendy Leeanne Hellebrand and Gerda Ross and her late husband Dennis Ross.
Wendy was an active member of the Inverleigh Valley Lions Club for 30 years and an active volunteer for the Lions v District Cancer Foundation Skin Cancer Check and Screening Unit. Wendy also advocated and cared for the elderly in her community and assisted people during their time in police custody. Council remembers Wendy for her achievements and remarkable contributions to the Golden Plains community.
Among living and volunteering in the Shire for over 50 years, Dennis and Gerda both worked full-time and in retirement continued to show true community spirit. They both held executive roles in many of the groups over the years, including the Smythesdale Progress Association, Friends of the Woady Yaloak Landcare Group, Smythesdale Gardens and CWA Seniors and Junior Crew. Council remembers Dennis for his community spirit and tireless volunteer work throughout his life.
Joint winners of the 2026 Golden Plains Shire Council Community Group Award are Bannockburn Wildlife Rescue and Linton Emergency Food Relief Pantry.
Bannockburn Wildlife Rescue is an outstanding volunteer group who respond to multiple calls daily, often at all hours of the day and night, providing critical rescue services across the region.
The Linton Emergency Food Relief Pantry works to alleviate food deprivation in the community, supporting over 100 households in need. The group is made up of volunteers from the Men’s shed and other local residents.
The Golden Plains Shire Council Community Hero of the Year is Evelyn Cannon.
Evelyn has been heavily involved in a whole spread of activities which have been of significant benefit to the Golden Plains community, particularly in the areas surrounding Illabrook, Rokewood and Cape Clear. This includes her role as Chair of the Cape Clear, Illabrook and Rokewood Junction Community Committee and support of the longstanding Cape Clear Winter Solstice Bonfire.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said all the winners and nominees of this year’s Community Awards showcased the amazing attributes of people who call Golden Plains Shire home.
On behalf of Council and the community, we extend our congratulations to this year’s winners and nominees and express our immense gratitude for all they do to help make Golden Plains a wonderful place to live.
“Thank you also to the community members who took the time to submit all the fantastic nominations. What an absolute joy to celebrate their remarkable contributions and recognise the efforts of our tireless volunteers.
For further information on the Community Awards, contact Council’s Communications & Engagement team at [email protected] or call 5220 7111.