Australia Day Awards: nominate a top local Aussie!

Australia Day Awards: nominate a top local Aussie! Thursday 26 September

Do you know an amazing Aussie who deserves recognition? Someone who gives so much to our community, an unsung hero, a dedicated community star? Have you attended a great community event recently?

Nominations are now open for the 2020 East Gippsland Shire Council Australia Day Awards.

Citizen of the Year Young Citizen of the Year (under 27 years) Community Event of the Year

Anyone can nominate online or visit a Customer Service Centre for a printed form. Nominations close 5pm Friday, November 22.

Mayor Cr Natalie O’Connell said everyone knows someone, young and old, who is an inspiration in the community. There are a number of great events that have been held in the past year that the hosts should consider nominating for the community event of the year award.

“These community members give without ever expecting anything in return. People who are always doing things to benefit others, people who make a difference to their community. Now is the time to acknowledge those people through these prestigious awards,” Cr O’Connell said.

Strong nominations will highlight how nominees have:

Made a significant contribution in the current year or over a number of years; Demonstrated outstanding leadership or are role models in the community; Excelled in their field, for instance arts and culture, community service, sport and recreation, etc. Benefitted the community (for the event category)

“Australia Day may seem a while off, but nominations for the East Gippsland Australia Day Awards close on November 22, so now is the time to think about the people who make a difference in your community and start collecting information for the nomination,” Cr O’Connell said.

This year’s winners were June Drake - Citizen of the Year, Torin Troy – Young Citizen of the Year and the Community Event of the Year was the Cann River Volunteer Appreciation Day which was an initiative of the Cann River Community Centre.

June Drake has been an inspiration and role model for many people in Mallacoota since arriving in 1987.

June has been secretary of the Friends of Mallacoota Group for the past 18 years as well as being involved with 3MGB community radio as treasurer for the past six years. June has also been a producer and compiler of music for the past 25 years.

 “I am very thankful for the friends and community who accepted us and allowed us to do everything we wanted to do,” June said.

Young Citizen of the Year Torin Troy was recognised for many hours of volunteering and commitment to the community, mainly through St John’s Ambulance and as youth ambassador for Council.

The winner of the community event of the year was the Cann River Volunteer Appreciation Day. Held in April 2018, it was an initiative of the Cann River Community Centre to recognise the outstanding contribution community members make to service in the Cann River area. Organisations and groups represented included the community centre, bush nursing service, Landcare, SES, CFA, kindergarten and school.