Australia Day winners announced

26 January 2020

Strathbogie Shire has recognised local achievers during Australia Day ceremonies held in Avenel, Euroa, Longwood, Nagambie, Strathbogie and Violet Town. The ceremonies included the presentation of the overall Shire 2020 Australia Day awards, recognising and acknowledging the community service contributions and achievements of Strathbogie residents during 2019.

The following were the winners: COMMUNITY ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR – Go Nagambie (Nagambie) Go Nagambie is a membership-based body which works to be the voice of the Nagambie business community, particularly through promoting Nagambie as a tourism destination. It has supported events during the year, including GoFish Nagambie, the annual New Year fireworks, High St beautification project, supporting community groups and clubs, the Women in Business luncheon and much more. It has also developed a new website to ensure it has greater communications with the public. COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR – Southern Aurora Commemorative Weekend (Violet Town) The Southern Aurora Commemorative Weekend was held over four days in February 2019 to pay tribute to the 50th year anniversary of the Southern Aurora train crash in February 1969. The committee’s aim in organising the event was to acknowledge the involvement and effort of people associated with the tragedy and to find ways to bring them together to share stories and leave a permanent series of memories of the Southern Aurora. These memorials have included a subtly designed garden area, interpretive boards, maps, information, pathways, photographic and art exhibition, as well as pieces of memorabilia donated and on loan. On February 7, a minute’s silence was observed at the precise time of the collision, 7.03am, and coincided with the railway authorities lowering the boom gates in recognition. Negotiations were made with V/Line to donate an original Southern Aurora sleeper carriage which is a major feature within the gardens area. It will be renovated as funding becomes available. JUNIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Macey Ross (Violet Town) Macey is a well-known sportsperson in the Violet Town community. She is a regular volunteer and player for the Violet Town Football Netball Club, assisting with scoring, in the canteen, carrying water, helping with the football scoreboard and assisting with a variety of other jobs as required. She has represented her school in athletics and swimming at zone level. She also assists at Auskick, where she also plays. YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Ashleigh Butcher (Nagambie) Ashleigh is a long-standing volunteer for the Nagambie on Water Festival (NOW) and is involved in many community groups. She completes her work with enthusiasm and ensures all others involved are well coordinated and engaged. She has also been an active member of Evolve Youth for many years. In her final VCE year she was a Seymour College school captain. While completing Year 12 she was involved in additional leadership camps and is currently on a GAP year in Canada working at youth camps. CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Greg Dudley (Euroa) Greg is a keen singer-songwriter who regularly performs at the Euroa Senior Citizens/Third Age Club. His ‘Sund’y by the Sevens’ free concerts have been running since November 2012 and attract substantial audiences from Euroa and neighbouring towns including Benalla, Seymour, Shepparton and Alexandra. He performs his own compositions, many of which depict Euroa landmarks and Euroa historical events. Greg also visits district nursing homes, performing for the residents and friends, where he is always well-received, bringing great enjoyment to his audiences. Greg is also a long-time committee member of the Euroa Wool Week Committee and member and active participant of the Euroa Museum. He is also interested in local history, assisting the historical society by conducting tours of significant landmarks.

The township winners are: AVENEL: COMMUNITY ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR – Avenel Heritage Writers Group (Avenel Story Boards) for telling the story of significant sites in the township of Avenel through the installation of the storyboards. COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR – The opening of a new engine room at Avenel Fire Station which has created a valuable community asset. YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Cain Murray for his work in mentoring younger people, particularly in sports. CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Jared Smith for his commitment to the development of junior sport in Avenel, particularly the Avenel Cricket Club.

EUROA: COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS OF THE YEAR (joint winners) – Euroa SES for the community benefits the organisation brings and Euroa Basketball Association for its work on improving the outdoor basketball court in Euroa. COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR – Euroa Chamber of Business and Commerce for its well-attended and insightful business breakfast. JUNIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Grace Kemp, for collecting more than 5000 bottle caps to be used to make prosthetic limbs, therefore raising awareness of disability and sustainability. YOUNG CITIZENS OF THE YEAR – (joint winners) Euroa Secondary College captains Tess Manson and Robert Paradzayi for representing the community. CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Greg Dudley (see above) and Roma Joyce. Roma has devoted much of her retirement to volunteering at Euroa Historical and Genealogical Society.

LONGWOOD: COMMUNITY ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR – Longwood East Landcare Group which is actively involved in many tasks to help create a better environment. COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR – Longwood Primary School’s Halloween Event where students engage in team building opportunities to design and create themed props for the school. JUNIOR CITIZENS OF THE YEAR – Jasmyn Wilson and Ruby Hulet for their work as Longwood Primary School Captains. CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Longwood – Yvonne Huggins, for going above and beyond in her teacher’s aide role at Longwood Primary School.

NAGAMBIE: COMMUNITY ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR: Go Nagambie (as above) COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR – GoFish Nagambie, which has become an outstanding event, attracting anglers from across the region. JUNIOR CITIZENS OF THE YEAR – (joint winners) Campbell Baker, Charlie Cubbin, Brodie Miller, Eliza Shelton, Jacinta Swan and Hugh Traynor-Murphy who formed Nagambie Primary and St Joseph's Primary School athletic competition team and enjoyed great success at State level. YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Ashley Butcher (as above) CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Norm Cahill for being named Tennis Victoria's 2019 Spirit of Tennis award-winner. Norm has spent years teaching others tennis and playing himself.

STRATHBOBIE YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Eliza Hoare for her leadership in sport and fundraising. CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Diane Mackrell for her community work over many years and for a variety of different organisations.

VIOLET TOWN: COMMUNITY ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR – Southern Aurora Memorial Committee, which organised the 50th anniversary commemorations of the Southern Aurora train crash. COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR - Southern Aurora Commemorative Weekend (as above) JUNIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Macey Ross (as above) YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Sharon Kaup for her work with the Violet Town Football Netball Club and other community groups. CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Karen Dunn for her support of the Violet Town CFA and a host of other community groups.

Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Amanda McClaren extended her congratulations to all the award-winners, saying they were the lifeblood of the Strathbogie Shire.

“We are extremely lucky to have the calibre of people who live in our Shire, all of whom are willing to help make their towns and surrounds a better place,” she said.

“It is fantastic that we can come together on Australia Day and honour these people for their efforts, and we extend our sincere appreciation to all those who were nominated.”