By KATH GANNAWAY
YARRA Ranges Shire’s rich vein of community workers, philanthropists and industry achievers has been recognised with Australia Day Awards presented at Upwey yesterday.
Mayor Maria McCarthy presented the following awards.
* Citizen of the Year – Brian Luscombe (Healesville);
* Youth Citizen of the Year – Prue Northey (Mt Evelyn);
* Environmental Achiever of the Year – Ben Ellis (Mt Evelyn)
* Ken McIntosh Memorial Award for Young Achiever of the Year – Caitlin MacDonald (Narre Warren East);
* Community Group of the Year – Community 3777 Township Group and Healesville 150 Steering Committee (Healesville);
* Ian De La Rue Community Leadership Award – Michelle Rayner (The Patch); and
* Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award – Roger Boness (Mt Evelyn).
Certificates of Recognition were presented to Warburton Skate Park Group, WinHort Yarra Ranges, Dandenong Ranges Music Council, Community Advocate Neil Cameron, Project Upwey, Andrew Roberts from Edge Martial Arts and the Lions Club of Mooroolbark.
Yarra Ranges residents also featured in the Australia Day, Order of Australia Honours List.
Professor John Funder AO was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).
Professor Funder from Wandin East is a world-renown endoctrinologist who was recognised for his service to medicine.
Marcus Besen AO was also awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). Mr Besen, philanthropist and co-founder of TarraWarra Museum of Art was recognised for service to the visual and performing arts.
Wesley Jon Fleming from Monbulk received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the horticultural industry and landscape architecture.
Yarra Ranges was also represented in the Australian of the Year awards announced in Canberra last night with Thomas King from Kalorama a finalist as Victorian Young Australian of the Year.
