Pride and passion

By Kath Gannaway
DEDICATION, passion and commitment were overriding themes when Yarra Ranges Council presented its annual Australia Day Awards at Mont De Lancey historic homestead in Wandin on Wednesday.
Seventeen individuals from across the shire and members of an Upper Yarra community group were recognised for their outstanding contribution, in many cases over long periods of time, to the community, the environment and to sport.
Eight major awards were presented with Upwey community worker Mark Addison being honoured as Citizen of the Year and youth activist and mental health advocate Sam Taylor from Kilsyth named Young Citizen of the Year.
Sports administrator and Seville resident Keith Thompson and environment champion Betty Marsden from Kallista received Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Awards with the Ian De La Rue Community Leadership Award going to Montrose resident Max Lamb for his work with young people through the Australian Air League’s Lilydale squadron.
Wildlife carer Carol Seeger of Kallista was recognised as Environmental Achiever of the Year and Sassafras resident Robert Pergl received the Ken McIntosh Memorial Award as Young Environmental Achiever of the Year.
The committee and volunteers of the Yarra Junction-based Koha Community Café were recognised as Community Group of the Year.
Certificates of Recognition were presented to Ian and Jean Blencowe, Dianne Kennedy, Paula Herlihy, Brian Luscombe, Graeme Young, Curt Tebbutt, David Dobson, Derek Crittenden and Brian LeVier.
Mayor Terry Avery congratulated the recipients saying Australia Day awards were a chance to celebrate community spirit and recognise those who had given so much to their community.
Thanking them, he said their contributions made Yarra Ranges a great place to live and work.
“These winners are just representative of the hundreds who give so many hours to their local communities,” he added.
As well as the award ceremony, 46 Yarra Ranges residents became Australian Citizens.