YARRA Ranges’ top achievers were recognised with Australia Day awards while new citizens were welcomed in the annual celebrations.
This year the special day was held at the Heritage Golf and Country Club in Chirnside Park on Saturday 26 January, held in conjunction with the Heritage Golf Tournament featuring 2012 Australian PGA Championship winner Daniel Popovic and a fun day of family activities and live music.
This year’s Yarra Ranges Australia Day award winners included Citizen of the Year – Denise Garratt from Gruyere, Young Citizen of the Year – Breanna Andersen from Woori Yallock, Community Group of the Year – Melba Support Services based in Mount Evelyn, Environmental Achiever of the Year – Vicki Boyle from Selby, Ken McIntosh Memorial Award (Young Environmental Achiever of the Year) – Erin Burton from Belgrave, Ian De La Rue Community Leadership Award – Rodney Woods from Wesburn and a posthumous award for the Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement award – Dr Bill Hardy from Mount Evelyn.
People who received certificate of recognition awards were Ivor Chalkley from Mount Evelyn, Georgia McAleer from Mount Evelyn, the Mount Evelyn RSL and the Lilydale Squadron of the Australian Air League.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said the Australia Day awards were a chance to celebrate community spirit and recognise those who had given so much to their community.
“I would like to congratulate this year’s award winners and thank them for all they do to make the Yarra Ranges a great place to live and work,” he said.
“These winners represent hundreds of others who give so many hours to their local communities. Many of these are unsung local heroes so Australia Day is just one opportunity to recognise their hard work.”
