By Casey Neill
NINE Yarra Ranges residents and a community group last Thursday received a well-earned Australia Day thank you for their contributions to the shire.
Mayor Graham Warren thanked the award winners for making the shire a great place to live and work during an Upwey awards ceremony in Burrinja’s new theatre.
“The Australia Day Awards are a chance for us all to reflect on the wonderful people in our community,” he said. “These winners represent hundreds of others who give so many hours to their local communities.”
Casey MP Tony Smith told award recipients and their friends, families and supporters: “Being recognised on Australia Day says truly that you are not just great community people and community participants, but you are great Australians.”
Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe spoke about Australia’s diversity and unity, and the award winners’ contribution to this.
“You lay the foundation for the state of our democracy,” she said. “Those of you who give your time, your families who put up with the fact you’re at another meeting…All those things – they’re what make Australia strong.”
Upwey’s Andrew Fullagar received the Citizen of the Year award. Young Citizen of the Year went to Lilydale’s Joshua Watson, but he was in Cambodia, so his mother accepted the award on his behalf.
Millgrove Residents Action Group was selected as the Community Group of the Year, and Macclesfield’s Irene Pearey was named Environmental Achiever of the Year. The Ken McIntosh Memorial Award for Young Environmental Achiever of the Year went to Jordan Crook, and the Ian De La Rue Community Leadership Award to Margaret Brooks.
Lilydale’s Leslie William Skate won the Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award, while Yarra Glen’s Dorothy Barber and Jillian Hess, and Alice Keogh from Montrose, received certificates of recognition.
>>>See page 25 for more Australia Day coverage.
