By Callum Ludwig
A magnate of the Millgrove community has been crowned as Yarra Ranges Council’s 2025 Citizen of the Year.
Maureen Halit, President of the Millgrove Resident’s Action Group has taken out the accolade at this year’s Yarra Ranges Council Community Awards.
Ms Halit said she is totally honoured and blessed to be receiving the award.
“I didn’t realise what an honour it was until the other day, I was down in Lilydale and I just saw cars whizzing around everywhere and I thought ‘Wow, this is a big busy area and I’ve been granted the honour of Citizen of the Year’, it really hit me then,” she said.
“I realised there’s about a 150,000 population in the Shire and I don’t know how many registered volunteers there would be but it’s a pretty big number and it’s pretty special to have come through with such an award in such a big area.”
At 77 years old, Ms Halit continues to have a big hand in all things Millgrove, whether it be community events or improving resilience against disasters and emergencies in her township. She has volunteered for over 20 years, been an active participant in her local community for over five decades and has been MRAG’s President for the last 20 years.
Ms Halit said she guesses that volunteering is in your blood.
“You work with the community and whatever you achieve, no matter how big or small, it’s an achievement. it’s a plus and a recognition for Millgrove,” she said.
“My family’s always worked with the community and it just follows through in the blood I think and I just thoroughly enjoy it, you don’t do it for pats on the back, it’s just rewarding to be able to achieve something for the community,”
“But I guess I’m getting known out there for who I am and who we are and it’s nice to have that recognition wherever you go, you get that pat on the back and told you’re doing a great job.”
Ms Halit’s award follows on from MRAG being named Community Group of the Year in the 2024 awards.
Ms Halit said achieving the back-to-back awards is pretty special and unique.
“I don’t get this recognition off my own back, it takes a good team behind me, it’s not such a personal thing, I believe it’s more a community connection,” she said.
“I’ve always been a good listener, a good shoulder to lean on and just forever and always thoroughly enjoyed connecting with the community and this is where it’s gotten me.”
Ms Halit’s proudest achievements have included delivering the Courtney Dix River Road project, having MRAG named Community Group of the Year in both 2014 and 2024, making MIllgrove a pilot town for the Minderoo Foundation and Resilience Canopy efforts, holding the first Community Planning Day event and the Millgrove Light Trail show in 2024.
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child said this year, Ms Halit has also been implementing resilience projects, helping to develop the Community Plan for 2025-30 and guiding MRAG into its 20th year.
“During her time at MRAG, she’s overseen Millgrove’s third Community Plan, Resilience Plan and a Future Vision Plan for Millgrove; she’s developed close relationships with other community leaders and helped to coordinate efforts for the betterment of her town,” he said.
“She works with Council, mentors other groups, contributes to the Yarra Ranges Township Group Network and Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee, has successfully applied for grants for local projects and advocated for all-ability access throughout the town,”
“Her nominator said that ‘Maureen is an inspiration and a champion for Millgrove. She is
selfless, ego-less, caring, considerate and inclusive of everyone. The first one to offer a
helping hand. Maureen is a great leader, and leads by example.”
