Spirit reward- David Stirling (centre) accepts the Rural Community Spirit Award from Dr Greg Walsh and East Gippsland Institute of TAFE CEO Angela Hutson. 62661

By Kath Gannaway
MARYSVILLE businesses have been recognised for a champion effort since the bushfires.
The Marysville and District Chamber of Commerce was presented with the Champions of the Bush Rural Community Spirit Award 2011 at a dinner on Friday, 25 March.
The award night was held at the Black Spur Inn in Narbethong.
Chamber president David Stirling accepted the award on behalf of members from Dr Greg Walsh, chairman of the Champions of the Bush Organisation, a body which champions the cause of business in regional and rural Australia.
Dr Walsh said the award recognised the great achievement, hard work and dedication of the chamber and its members.
He spoke of the dedication and tireless efforts required to rebuild the businesses and spirit of the Marysville, Buxton, Narbethong and Taggarty communities after the 2009 bushfires.
“The Marysville and District Chamber of Commerce is an inspiration to other communities around Australia rebuilding their livelihoods following natural disaster,” Dr Walsh said.
Mr Stirling said the particular significance of the award was that the chamber, which was not functioning in February 2009, rallied to create a positive environment for members and businesses in which to move forward.
He said the chamber had around 65 members and that over the past 10 months it had run a number of functions aimed at assisting businesses.
“On top of that, it’s about having a voice to the powers that be that we are still out there having a go,” Mr Stirling said.
He said while there was no doubt there were still people struggling and working out whether they wanted to return to business in Marysville, there are at least six new businesses in the town that didn’t exist before the fire.
“That’s a really good indication of moving forward and people putting their hand up to have a go in business in a town which is a little bit up and down in relation to its economy at the moment,” he said.
He said the $1500 cash prize which came with the award would be used to help get the word out that Marysville welcomed new business and that it welcomed tourists.