By PETER DOUGLAS
LOCAL identities Peter Maloney and Sheila Hampson have been announced as this year’s Emerald Citizens of the Year.
As a testament to the pair’s fine work in the community, the judges could not separate the two winners.
In front of locals, families and friends during the PAVE Festival, at St Marks Church, the pair were presented with their awards.
The recipients received their awards from the Emerald Village Committee’s chairperson, Graham Dunstan, and Cardinia Shire (Ranges Ward) councillor, Brett Owen.
Mr Maloney has been an Emerald resident for almost 20 years and, during that time, has been heavily involved with the community.
He has worked with Puffing Billy Tourism, radio station 3MDR, the Emerald Village Committee and the local RSL club.
In 2013, Mr Maloney initiated the Anzac Walk project, which came to fruition in March this year, when Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, launched the Walk.
Mr Maloney has been described as having “huge community energy”, who initiates, inspires and is prepared to see projects through to completion.
Meanwhile, Ms Hampson has lived in Emerald since 1989 and has been a major contributor to the town.
She is involved in numerous organisations, such as Friends of Emerald Lake Park, the Emerald Tennis Club, Clean Up Australia Day, and the Shire Graffiti Reference Group.
Ms Hampson has been described as a highly regarded member of all the groups she works with.
Other nominees were Sharon Davies, Michelle Farram, Barry Harris, Vivienne Rogis and Penelope Swales.
The nominees were presented with certificates to acknowledge their contribution to the community.
