Cries of ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi’ could be heard throughout Cockatoo in the early hours of Australia Day last week, as part of Connecting Cockatoo Communities’ annual Cockatoo Australia Day breakfast and awards ceremony.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood and Cardinia Ranges Ward councillor Jeff Springfield were on hand to present the award winners, which included Cockatoo Citizen of the Year Chris White, Cockatoo Youth Citizen of the Year Ella Chawkley and Cockatoo Senior Citizen of the Year Graham Simpson.
As a Cockatoo CFA brigade member, Mr White was recognised for his 18 years within CFA, including his achievements as former captain and first lieutenant with the Cockatoo brigade, as well as four years as netball coach at the Gembrook Cockatoo Football Netball Group.
As a Cockatoo local for the past 15 years, he said receiving the award was an honour.
“It’s very humbling,” he said.
Miss Chawkley has been a significant part of the Cockatoo community, including contributions to the Cockatoo Country Market, completing her traffic management accreditation, volunteering at an aged care facility and earning recognition for her leadership and artwork.
In addition, the Hills Community Gardens group received the award for Cockatoo Community Group of the Year.
Hills Community Gardens representative Shirley Phillips said receiving the award after celebrating 20 years since the group formed was an honour.
“This was such a lovely surprise,” she said.
“It means a lot to us.”
The co-ordinators behind the Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre received the award for Cockatoo Community Event of the Year for their 40th commemoration of Ash Wednesday.
Mr Simpson was the captain when the fire siren rang through Cockatoo and is now the chair of the centre’s management committee.
During his speech receiving the award for Cockatoo Senior Citizen of the year, he quoted American and actress and singer Mae West: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
