By Casey Neill
A trio of Lilydale students share this year’s Yarra Ranges Council Young Citizen of the Year title.
Amelie, Keely and Jean-Pascal received the Australia Day honour for renaming the Lilydale Cenotaph Area to the Ralph Goode Reserve, commemorating Ralph Goode for his significant contribution to the community.
The former students and classmates at Lilydale Primary formed the idea in a small group at school.
Keely said they did a lot of research, spurred on by the 100 years of Anzac.
They reached out to Mr Goode’s descendants, local history groups, the museum, the RSL, trader groups and the mayor.
“It was nice to know what he did for the community,” Amelie said.
They then wrote an application to the council and had to speak at a meeting.
“It was really exciting to know we were able to name something as big as that and make a change,” Keely said.
Mr Goode was a businessman and Lilydale resident, Lilydale’s first volunteer in World War I and was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his community work.
“The project showed initiative and dedication from Amelie, Keely and Jean-Pascal in their advocacy and through their passion and perseverance, they have made a significant and permanent change in their community,” their award citation said.
