Council congratulates the nominees of the Golden Plains Shire Council Community Awards 2022.
The Golden Plains Shire Council (GPSC) Community Awards are an opportunity to formally acknowledge extraordinary individuals and community groups who made an outstanding contribution to Golden Plains Shire in 2022.
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 five nominees for the GPSC Citizen of the Year 2022:
Jaymee-Lin Ellis
Jaymee-Lin Ellis of Smythesdale volunteered her time and expertise to assist the Woady Yaloak Historical Society and the Smythesdale Progress Association to improve the Smythesdale Country Market. Jaymee-Lin has been instrumental in the growth of the market and with Jaymee-Lin’s support the event has become so popular that people travel to Smythesdale specifically for the market, stopping at the cafés and shops on the main streets, supporting local businesses. Jaymee-Lin also runs GenkiFit, a small community fitness program in Smythesdale and is also president of the Woady Yaloak Recreation Factility Committee of Management.
Leah Phillips
Leah Phillips of Meredith works tirelessly to support the community of Meredith in her role as Manager of the Meredith Community Centre. Leah supports all generations of people by seeking out and providing learning opportunities and health and wellbeing programs, caring for children, encouraging growth and bringing the community together. Leah is always willing to help a person in need and never backs down from a challenge.
Shona Eland
Shona Eland of Bannockburn has dedicated so much to the Golden Plains community. Shona is a part of the Golden Plains Shire Council CCTV Steering Committee, striving to create a safe and happy community for all. Through her role as CEO of YMCA Geelong Inc & Geelong District YMCA Youth Services, Shona has given young people in Golden Plains the opportunity to enhance their skills and create community connections and has paved the pathway for future generations. Shona has also been integral in the rapid expansion of sporting opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities at the YMCA Bannockburn. Shona is also a member of the Golden Plain Shire Council Youth Hub Community Reference Group.
Melissa Gillett
Melissa Gillett of Bannockburn has instigated and led numerous beautification efforts around Bannockburn. Her contributions have included being a part of the Beautify Bannockburn Group in it’s initial setup & replanting of garden beds, involved in the community consultations for the water splay space project & most recently in the transformation of the Bannockburn Cemetery. Melissa enjoys her community involvement & is a wonderful ambassador for Golden Plains.
Stuart McCallum
Stuart McCallum of Bannockburn, along with members of Friends of Bannockburn Bush has been a long-term protector of the Bannockburn Bush and an advocate of environmental issues. Stuart is a supporter of the Bruces Creek Landcare group and Secretary of the Geelong Landcare Network. He is also a member of the Bannockburn Community Planning Group and the Ballarat Environment Network (BEN) which administers the group of 40 BEN Reserves.
Congratulations to the two nominees for the GPSC Senior Citizen of the Year 2022:
Heather Butler
Heather Butler of Rokewood has volunteered in many roles in the township of Rokewood for over 35 years including at the Rokewood Cemetery Trust and the Rokewood Newsletter for 30 years. Heather has also volunteered her time to support people of all abilities and has been integral in the work of the Breakfast Club for secondary students in Rokewood. Despite having her own personal health concerns over the past few years, Heather still always finds time to give back to the community through her volunteering.
Dr Jill Wheeler
Dr Jill Wheeler of Linton works tirelessly as the Linton and District Historical Society President. Dr Wheeler is passionate about the history of Linton and has been an advocate for Linton to be a key historical precinct in the north of the Shire. Dr Wheeler was the key instigator in the commissioning of the sculpture of Dr Vera Scantlebury (WW1 Veteran surgeon) which is to be unveiled in 2023. Dr Wheeler has also been successful in securing local, state and federal government grants to restore the Linton library.
Congratulations to the two nominees for the GPSC Young Citizen of the Year 2022:
Jayden Scheier
Jayden Scheier of Bannockburn is an integral and valued member of the Youth Activation Committee, FReeZA Committee and a supporter of Youth Service programs more broadly. As a young person, Jayden has demonstrated an outstanding ability and commitment to seizing opportunities to empower and engage young people and is a profound example of how valuable young people are as leaders in the community. Jayden has made a significant contribution to the Golden Plains community, specifically in supporting and advocating for young people.
Jemma Mizzi
Jemma Mizzi of Lethbridge is a Year 7 student at Bannockburn College and at the beginning of 2022 joined the FReeZA crew. From Jemma’s first involvement, she eagerly took the lead in promoting, advocating and raising awareness of the FReeZA crew and has been integral in leading the growth of subsequent events that the crew have been able to deliver. Jemma demonstrates an amazing capacity as a young leader.
Congratulations to the three nominees for the GPSC Community Impact Award 2022:
YMCA Bannockburn
YMCA Bannockburn provides a space for young people to grow and for people of all ages and abilities to feel safe ana included through a range of programs and services. YMCA Bannockburn also hosts a number of community events to bring the community together in support of a good cause, recently hosting a Cancer Network Australia Market that raised $4500 for Breast Cancer. YMCA Bannockburn tirelessly support the local community.
Mannibadar Settlement Committee
The Mannibadar Settlement Committee hosted a significant community event on March 27, 2022, to mark the 100th anniversary celebrations of the 1921 Mannibadar Solider Settlement. In the lead up to the event the Mannibadar Settlement Committee worked tirelessly to search for relatives of soldiers from across Australia, which was evident by the number of people that attended the event. There was also an extensive display of historical photos and memorabilia, and a large brass plaque embedded into a granite boulder was unveiled. Guests of the event praised the Mannibadar Settlement Committee for hosting what was a memorable event for all.
Bannockburn Cemetery Trust
he Bannockburn Cemetery Trust, consisting of seven local volunteers, administers, cares for and maintains the Bannockburn Cemetery. The team of volunteers attend weekly working bees and over the past two years, they have upgraded the cemetery with new signage, fencing, plant boxes, gates, curbing, garden beds and steel edging and seating for visitors to sit and reflect. The beautification of the Bannockburn Cemetery is a credit to the volunteers of the Bannockburn Cemetery Trust who have been an asset to the town of Bannockburn.
Mayor Cr Brett Cunningham congratulated all nominees for the valuable contribution they make to life in Golden Plains.
“As always, Council was extremely impressed by the achievements and commitment of the community members and groups that were nominated for the Golden Plains Shire Council Community Awards in 2022 and also thank the local residents who nominated them.
“The Golden Plains Shire Council Community Awards are a great way to celebrate the people who make our Shire a wonderful place to live and we look forward to honouring these community nominees and naming the award-winners.”
The GPSC Community Awards 2022 nominees will be recognised, and the award-winners will be named, at an event on Tuesday 24 January at the Dereel Community Hall.