Australia Day Award winners announced

“Our award recipients this year are all very deserving for their amazing contributions to the community.

“Their dedication and passion make a positive impact in the Shire and beyond.

“There’s nothing better than giving back to your community for making new friends, learning new skills, and seeing how  your efforts can benefit others.

“I can’t recommend highly enough that others get involved in whatever sporting club, community group or service organisation that reflects your values.”

The event also featured a citizenship ceremony for nine new Australians.

The Shire’s multicultural environment is enriched by the cultural heritage the new residents bring from Ukraine, Norway, New Zealand, Ireland and Pakistan.

Special guest speaker Margaret Zita OAM spoke of her volunteering journey and how she maintains your passion for life and her work with My Room Children’s Cancer Charity.

After the formal proceedings the community enjoyed a free barbecue and music by the Lakes and Craters Band.

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Ian (Bidge) and Barb Boyd are Corangamite Shire's 2024 Community Volunteers of the Year.

The Camperdown couple were lauded at the Council's Australia Day Event at the Skipton Mechanics Institute Hall.

The Boyds have raised tens of thousands of dollars for various charities and organisations over the years, largely by holding country music concerts.

Barb said: "We enjoy what we’re doing and its lovely to bring everybody else along for the ride that comes and enjoys the music and all the other local bits and pieces we've been part of. That's just what we do in the country,” she said.

"And a huge thank you to all the other volunteers who do lots of fantastic work."

Bidge said: "Thanks to all the ones that support all the various things we run for fundraising. We can't do it with just the two of us but we've had amazing support over the years and we thank those people that have supported those events.

Susanna Ryan, of  Timboon, was named Young Community Volunteer of the Year for her work with Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club and Timboon parkrun.

Ms Ryan said she was excited about her award which had come as a complete surprise.

“I just enjoy doing what I do at the surf club. It helps the community. They can go to the beach and we care for them. I help the nippers so they can build their skills.

“With parkrun, it helps the community get out and be fit and active.

“I’d like to thank the people who nominated me: Natalie Powell and Darcy Tribe. I look up to them.”

Camperdown Theatre Company’s 75th Anniversary Spectacular won the Community Event of the Year award.

Camperdown Theatre Company President Toby McKenzie said the 75-year celebration was a great achievement.

“We’re very thankful for the recognition,” he said.

“It was a fantastic effort by a great group of 100 volunteers. There were 31 on stage and an orchestra of 12.

“There were about 140 hours of rehearsals. That’s not including the time spent preparing for them, making costumes and construction work. It took many hundreds of hours.

“Thanks to the community for supporting our company—as  always—and to everyone who contributed. It was a fantastic effort.”

Other Community Volunteer Awards went to: