Australia Day 2019 celebrates local achievements

Monday, 28 January, 2019

Thirty-two Strathbogie Shire residents and community groups were recognised and celebrated at the 2019 Australia Day Awards Ceremonies.

Ceremonies were held in the townships of Avenel, Euroa, Longwood, Nagambie, Strathbogie and Violet Town.

The Australia Day Awards acknowledge and celebrate the community service contributions and achievements of local people during the previous year.

The following candidates were selected as the 2019 shire-wide award winners:

Community Organisation of the Year- St Dunstan’s Film Society

The St Dunstan’s Film Society has grown in momentum over the last nine years and provides great entertainment for many community members. The Society has not only provided entertainment for the community, but has reinvigorated and utilised an unused space in Violet Town. The Society has been a lifeline for a lot of the elderly in town, giving them a chance to get out and socialise.

Community Event of the Year- Longwood Beer, Wine and Cider Festival

The inaugural Longwood Beer, Wine and Cider Festival was held on Saturday 3rd March, 2018. The event was organised by a sub-committee of the Longwood Football Netball Club. The positive impacts on the town and district exceeded expectations. An enjoyable and relaxing day was had amongst the gum trees on the fairway at the Longwood Community Centre by the four hundred plus crowd who were entertained by local musicians.

Junior Citizen of the Year- Ely Reid

Ely Reid has shown a strong interest and commitment to his local community in Avenel by seizing every opportunity to contribute, fundraise and participate. On 26th January 2018, Ely eagerly volunteered to sing the National Anthem solo at the Avenel Australia Day Ceremony and performed a wonderful song he co-wrote with his singing teacher about his love of Avenel and the things that make the community special to him.

Young Citizen of the Year- Beata Nikoloski

Beata was the 2018 School Captain and has very competently represented Euroa Secondary College at both ANZAC Day services at Euroa and on several occasions. As a part of the school captain’s role she attended and contributed to school council meetings. Beata was also a very valued member of the school band and an important member of a buddy program called Art Club at Euroa Secondary.

Citizen of the Year- Neil McLeod

Neil dedicates a substantial amount of his free time to providing medical care to the Nagambie community through his time as a volunteer with the Ambulance Service. On average, Neil volunteers more than 20 nights per month on top of working full time. He has also taken a leading role in fundraising activities to obtain vital equipment for the new First Aid Training facilities at the Ambulance Station.

Click here for the full story