By Kath Gannaway
Yarra Ranges Council’s Australia Day Awards have recognised and celebrated residents from across the shire who contribute to making their communities a better place in which to live.
The awards ceremony took place at Burrinja Cultural Centre in Upwey on Australia Day (Thursday, 26 January) following a citizenship ceremony at which 75 people representing 27 nationalities became Australian citizens.
Well-known Warburton couple, Ben and Ruth Aldridge were among the awardees, recognised for their efforts in keeping the town free of rubbish for more than a decade and for their outstanding leadership by example.
Dr Doseena Fergie, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman dedicated to closing the gap in Yarra Ranges, Laura Johns, a young woman who is leading her peers by example, and the members of Upper Yarra U3A who make life-long learning accessible and fun, are also among the 2017 recipients from across Yarra Ranges.
Hard-work, dedication, passion, a love of community and unerring commitment to making things happen were common themes as Yarra Ranges Mayor Noel Cliff and ward councillors presented the awards.
Mr and Mrs Aldridge were presented with the Ian De La Rue Award for Community Leadership.
The award is given each year in recognition of Mr De La Rue’s outstanding work in developing strong community leadership across the Yarra Ranges shire.
Mr De La Rue’s widow, Margaret, joined Cr Len Cox in making the presentation.
Cr Cox said the couple had shown unwavering commitment to reducing rubbish found along the Yarra River.
“They began picking up bottles and cans while walking their pet dog after moving to Warburton 13 years ago,” he said.
“They are known for their friendly and positive approach to influence and inspire the community to keep Warburton clean,” Cr Cox concluded.
Mr and Mrs Aldridge said they felt they were just the tip of a very large volunteer iceberg in Warburton.
“We could name half a dozen or more people who probably deserve this award more than we do,” Mr Aldridge said, reeling off a list of names of volunteers who serve in all capacities in the town.
“We’re privileged, but would like to accept it on behalf of all the volunteers, because they are the people who make so many things around Warburton run.”
He said however that their efforts had made a difference.
He said they were collecting 80 per cent less rubbish now than when they started.
“That’s not because we preach about it, we’ve just done it and people have seen that and responded,” he said.
He said they were particularly pleased with the change around the skate park which for a few months after it opened lived up to some of the worst expectations of some community members.
“We went past most days of the week and young people saw us, and today you can go four or five days without picking up one piece of rubbish there,” he said.
“If young people are given some leadership, given a good example, they will follow.
“I’m convinced of that,” he said.
Mrs Aldridge said the award was overwhelming, and particularly so because of the connection with Ian De Le Rue.
She also spoke of the power of example, citing a mother who told her that her daughter had seen the couple going about their task and now rides her bike with a plastic bag ready to pick up any litter she finds.
A Warburton Primary School student was inspired to collect litter around the school and delivered a talk at the school assembly on where litter ends up and the environmental impact.
“Others have started picking up in their own streets,” Mrs Aldridge said. “It’s a wonderful thing.”
Respected Elder and active community member Dr Doseena Fergie was named Yarra Ranges Citizen of the Year.
Dr Fergie has been a leader within the local Indigenous community and a driving force behind the ongoing success of the Healesville Indigenous Community Services Association (HICSA).
When honouring Dr Fergie, Cr Cliff said her efforts to create positive change needed to be recognised.
“Her role in assisting council to develop its reconciliation direction of ‘Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Cultural Strengthening’ has created a lasting legacy,” he said.
“Doseena’s focus on placing culture at the centre of health and wellbeing for Aboriginal people and ability to view situations through an Aboriginal lens has transformed the way council works.”
See page 2 for more on the Australia Day Awards.
