2023 community award nominees named
Published on 24 January 2023
Twenty-eight residents and six events have been nominated for awards in appreciation of their contributions to the Corangamite Shire Community.
The Citizen of the Year (23 nominations), Young Citizen of the Year (five nominations) and Community Event of the year (six nominations) will be named at the official council Australia Day event at Noorat Recreation Reserve on Thursday.
Mayor Ruth Gstrein said all of the nominees had been named by their peers as recognition for their efforts on behalf of the community.
“Corangamite has some amazing people who give selflessly, often over long periods of time, to benefit their community,” Cr Gstrein said.
“They contribute to service clubs, sporting clubs, churches and other organisations without expecting reward but just because they care and enjoy making a positive difference.
“All of these nominees are examples of those values and show how we can all make Corangamite a better place.”
Formalities will begin at 10 am.
Australia Day Ambassador Professor Greg Sassella will make a keynote address at the Noorat Recreation Reserve ahead of presentation of the 2023 awards.
There will be a free barbecue at the event and five new Australians will receive citizenship.
Cr Gstrein invited everyone to come along and enjoy the day.
Corangamite Shire Mayor Ruth Gstrein said Professor Sassella would be most welcome at Council’s official Australia Day ceremony at the Noorat Recreation Reserve on Thursday 26 January.
Cr Gstrein said she expected a good crowd for the event.
“Each year we get to a different town in the Shire and this year is Noorat’s turn.
“It’s always a social day out where we can recognise our volunteers and those who have made significant contributions to our communities.
“It is also an opportunity to confer citizenship on new Australians, which is one of the most rewarding aspects of the day.”
And the nominees are:
Citizen of the Year
- Jim Anderson, Derrinallum
- Bill Berry, Timboon
- Andrew Bodman, Skipton
- Alison Byrne, Camperdown
- Matthew Coverdale, Bostocks Creek
- Sanjan Dawson, Skipton
- Georgie Green, Skipton
- Paul Hay, Terang
- Susan Hunneybell, Skipton
- Gary Kimber, Cobden
- Laura Leslie, Skipton
- Vicki Marr, Glenormiston
- Margaret Moloney, Terang
- Jan Murphy, Skipton
- Anna Nash, Skipton
- Gabrielle O’Brien, Terang
- Faye Phillips, Noorat
- John Peeters, Skipton
- Kim Pringuer, Cobden
- Denise Robertson, Cobden
- Neville Robertson, Cobden
- Peter Smith, Skipton
- Brendan Williams, Noorat
Young Citizen of the Year
- Jake Burleigh,Lismore
- Keely Clark, Skipton
- Patrick Gowans, Skipton
- Abbie Hanks, Jancourt East
- Willoughby Perriss, Cobden
Community Event of the Year
- Doug and Kerrie Pollard — ‘What’s Noo?’, Noorat
- Tenth Anniversary of TOPS, Timboon
- Colour Terang Festival, Terang
- Pandemic First Responders Free BBQ and Mini Golf Fun Day, Cobden
- Skipton Football Netball Club, Skipton
- Skipton Flood preparation and clean-up — Skipton Youth, Skipton