Australia Day Awards
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29 January 2019 - Media release
A community volunteer for more than 30 years, an advocate for recognition of local artistic talent, a rising tennis star, a community event for families with children suffering from cancer, a young volunteer from Echuca and a man with a passion for engaging children in sport were today named recipients of the 2019 Campaspe Shire Australia Day Awards.
Campaspe Shire Mayor, Cr Adrian Weston said the awards formally recognise the outstanding contribution made by individuals and groups to our community.
“The prestigious Australia Day Awards formally acknowledge the hard work, dedication and selfless influence of members within our community,” Cr Weston said.
Awards were presented in the following categories:
Jenny Reuther from Kyabram is Campaspe’s 2019 Citizen of the year Daniel Phyland from Echuca is Campaspe’s 2019 Young citizen of the year Stephen Rasmussen from Rochester is Campaspe’s 2019 sportsperson of the year Isabella Crossman from Echuca is Campaspe’s 2019 Junior sportsperson of the year Shearing for Kids with Cancer is Campaspe’s 2019 Community event of the year Sharon Herne from Rochester is Campaspe’s Arts person of the year“These worthy recipients have given their time and skills to increase opportunities and improve the health and wellbeing of the community, making Campaspe a great place to call home,” Cr Weston said.
Winner of Campaspe’s Citizen of the year award, Jenny Reuther has been serving the community, volunteering and giving her time to organisations and community groups for more than 30 years. The long list of associations of which she has contributed to the success of include the United Dairy Farmers of Victoria, the Baptist Church and St Vincent De Paul. Jenny has also been the driving force in the establishment of GV AgCare, the Ky Rushy Art Group and Women in Dairying.
Some of Jenny’s most notable work includes creating the Woman in Dairying Group during the drought years to support women by offering them alternate interests and care to help them cope with the tough times on the land. She has also been acknowledged by the United Dairy Farmers of Victoria and presented with a Certificate of Appreciation – the highest regional award that can be received.
Nominated for his volunteering efforts spanning half his lifetime, 16 year old Daniel Phyland received the Young citizen of the year award.
Daniel is a valuable member of Echuca Scouts, starting eight years ago as a Cub Scout and progressing to a very proud and responsible Venturer Scout. Daniel has contributed significantly to fundraising efforts to assist Scouts in attending camps, hikes and outdoor activities.
In 2017, Daniel achieved the Australian Scout Medallion – the highest Scout award which demonstrates leadership and community values.
For his unrelenting commitment and passion for engaging local children in sport, Stephen Rasmussen was awarded Campaspe’s Sportsperson of the year award.
Stephen is heavily involved in junior sporting programs for cricket and football in Rochester. He goes above and beyond attending meetings, assisting with set up, coaching mid-week and on weekends and has recently taken on the role as co-president of the Rochester Junior Football Club.
On several occasions Stephen has sought funding to assist local families in need with sporting registration to enable their children to play. Stephen is an invaluable member of the Rochester community.
For encouraging fellow peers to be the best they can in sport as well as excelling in her own sporting journey, Isabella Crossman has been named Campaspe’s Junior sportsperson of the year.
Isabella is a passionate, talented and dedicated young sportsperson. Her personal achievements include participating in the Melbourne Tennis Academy and representing Victoria in state and national tennis tournaments.
Isabella takes her love of sport to school and has assisted in running numerous sporting events during lunch time to help younger students develop and refine their own skills.
Campaspe’s 2019 Community event of the year was awarded toShearing for Kids with Cancer.
Lead by a dedicated team volunteers in the Rushworth community, Shearing for Kids with Cancer raises money for clinical research and medical equipment as well as supporting families of children with cancer.
In its fourth year, the event raised over $50,000, doubling its efforts from the year prior. The event was recognised and broadcast on national television across the Nine Network and WIN television. It also formally featured on the AFL Footy Show with a cheque presented by the group to the ‘My Room Telethon’. It has received great publicity for Rushworth and surrounding areas as well as families with children suffering from the terrible disease.
Instigator and curator of the ‘Creative Seeds’ exhibition, Sharon Herne received Campaspe’s 2019 award for Arts person of the year.
An art educator, Sharon saw a need to showcase the work of many talented artists in the Rochester district. With no exhibition space for local established and emerging artists to showcase their work, Sharon sought the support of the Rotary Club of Rochester and after careful planning, staged the inaugural exhibition in the Heritage Court House.
Supported by community volunteers, all proceeds from the exhibition were allocated to the ongoing maintenance of the Heritage Court House which is available for community use.
"On behalf of council and the community, I’d like to congratulate all who were nominated for the awards across the shire as well as the named winners. We are fortunate to have such outstanding citizens amongst us who inspire with their generosity and passion for community,” Cr Weston said.
To coordinate an interview or seek further information contact:
Communications Unit, Bel Anderson 5481 2825 or Chris Hawking 5481 2830
2019 Australia Day Award Winners Campaspe WinnersCitizen of the year - Jenny Reuther
Young citizen of the year - Daniel Phyland
Sportsperson of the year - Stephen Rasmussen
Junior sportsperson of the year - Isabella Crossman
Community event of the year - Shearing for Kids with Cancer
Arts person/group of the year - Sharon Herne
EchucaCitizen of the year - Judy Anderson
Young citizen of the year - Daniel Phyland
Sportsperson of the year - Rebecca Cladingboel
Junior sportsperson of the year - Isabella Crossman
Community event/group of the year - Steps Hands on Health
Arts person/group of the year - Rich River Quilters & Friends
RochesterCitizen of the year - Not awarded
Young citizen of the year - Not awarded
Sportsperson of the year - Stephen Rasmussen
Junior sportsperson of the year - Yazmin Hayes
Community event/group of the year - Nanneella Playgroup
Arts person/group of the year - Sharon Herne
KyabramCitizen of the year - Jenny Reuther
Young citizen of the year - Mackenzie Cowley
Sportsperson of the year - Trevor Bassett
Junior sportsperson of the year - Mackenzie Cowley
Community event/group of the year - Kyabram AH&P Society Inc
Arts person/group of the year - Not awarded
TongalaCitizen of the year - Don Graham
Young citizen of the year - Not awarded
Sportsperson of the year - Darin Ohlsen
Junior sportsperson of the year - Sienna Johnstone
Community event/group of the year - Not awarded
Arts person/group of the year - Not awarded
RushworthCitizen of the year - Glenda Cowie
Young citizen of the year - Lochie Meulenmeester
Sportsperson of the year - Not awarded
Junior sportspersons of the year - Matthew Lange-Richards, Bradie Chillingsworth & Jorge Maxwell
Community event/group of the year - Shearing for Kids with Cancer
Arts person/group of the year - Girgarre Patchwork & Quilting