By KATH GANNAWAY
WOORI Yallock Scouts have presented five Upper Yarra community members with scarves in recognition of their commitment to the community.
As part of the ‘ScarfUp’ program run by Scouts Australia, local ambassador, Danielle Greene from the Woori Yallock Scout Group presented the scarves at a special evening at the Scout Hall on Tuesday, 24 November.
Hillcrest CFA captain, Fiona Burns, Rod Brooke from Woori Yallock Butchers, Bernie Cole-Sinclair from WYDCOM Financial Services (Woori Yallock Bendigo Community Bank) Suyin Chan, Community Development Worker for Upper Yarra Community Enterprise Ltd (Warburton and Yarra Junction Bendigo Community Banks) and former boxing and kickboxing champion, Nick Lundh from Lilydale, were commended for their contribution to their communities across a range of activities.
Scouts, Cubs and leaders applauded as each scarf was presented with a citation outlining the outstanding contributions made by the recipients.
WYDCOM sponsorships and grants have helped numerous local groups, including sponsorship of scouts to attend the 2016 Jamboree and assisting with funds for drainage, electrical works at the Scout hall and buying a new fridge.
Rod Brooke’s sponsorship of local groups provides valuable fund-raising opportunities with groups ranging from education and sporting groups to the local radio station, Scout group and CFA.
Suyin Chan has been the driving force behind numerous projects including the Koha Community Cafe, Warburton Skate Park, Warburton Community Space and Community Garden. Her Humans of the Yarra Valley Facebook page provides an insight into the Yarra Valley community.
Her current drive is creating the Yarra Valley Food Network.
Nick Lundh has used his skill and experience as a sportsman to help young people including mentoring programs and fitness training to youth groups and schools. He provides scholarship memberships to disadvantaged kids and struggling families and works with groups such as the Salvation Army and Anglicare assisting addicts and people from broken families. He also works with Rotary and local churches in similar ways and has run boxing and kickboxing classes at Lilydale Youth Club for over 15 years where he is currently secretary.
Fiona Burns is an inspiration and role model in her community as captain of the Hillcrest brigade comprising around 50 members.
She has been a CFA volunteer for 12 years and in addition to a number of officer roles is Junior Program Leader, Group Delegate, has been part of local and overseas incident management teams and is a fully operational fire-fighter.
