By Kath Gannaway
A packed house filled the theatre room at Burrinja in Upwey for the 2017 Yarra Ranges Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony.
Following a Welcome to Country delivered by Julie Kitto of the Wurundjeri people, mayor Noel Cliff spoke of the significance of the awards saying they provide the wider community with an opportunity to give recognition.
“These awards provide us with an opportunity to acknowledge the work undertaken by a group of outstanding citizens and pay tribute to all those who contribute to making the Yarra Ranges the wonderful place it is,” he said.
“We celebrate the strength and diversity of our communities, enriched by people from all parts of the world,” he said, acknowledging the 75 people who had earlier taken Australian citizenship.
In addition to Citizen of the Year, Dr Doseena Fergie and Ben and Ruth Aldridge who were awarded the Ian De La Rue Community Leadership Award, a number of Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges residents also received awards and certificates of recognition.
Chum Creek Primary School and Upwey Primary School were joint winners of the Ken McIntosh Memorial Award – Young Environmental Achiever of the Year. Chum Creek students collected an amazing 3759 bands (62 bands per student) as part of the Platypus Education Group Elastic Band Challenge. Bands from hair ties to plastic drink top rings were cut up so they were no longer a danger to wildlife.
Sam Violi from Coldstream received a Certificate of Recognition as a champion of change for the strawberry industry. He has been farming strawberries in the valley for 40 years and is president of the Australian Strawberry Growers Association. He has been a leading industry advocate to government and through numerous projects has supported the long-term viability of commercial agriculture in the Yarra Valley.
Colin Pierrehumbert is a grandfather who has dedicated more than 10 years to helping students at Healesville Primary School learn to read. Mr Pierrehumbert has inspired many young students, including his own grandchildren, to read, injecting enthusiasm and excitement into reading. His generous gift to future generations was recognised with a Certificate of Recognition.
Dixons Creek resident Tom Steele has served 38 years with Victoria Police and for 27 years has been a volunteer with Dixons Creek CFA. He is a member of the Yarra Glen Men’s Shed and former member of EDFL, Dandenong Ranges Junior League and played cricket with Yarra Glen. He was instrumental in running Blue Light Discos and as a bugler has played at services of national importance and local veterans’ funerals.
Laura Johns of Mooroolbark was the recipient of Young Citizen of the Year and through her involvement with the ROAR and Youth Reference Group program has been a key motivator for other young people from across the shire. She was applauded for her strengths in leadership and building comradery by supporting Youth Workers and working alongside them.
Upper Yarra U3A were recognised for their increasing membership and the commitment of tutors and other volunteers. The group started in 2010 and offers a variety of courses. Operation and tutors are all volunteers, sharing skills and interests to keep minds creative, enjoy learning and staying connected.
Other awards went to:
Neil Mcleod of Upwey who was presented with the Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr McLeod was instrumental in the establishment of Burrinja. A local artist, photographer, adventurer, documentary maker and collector of Australian Aboriginal and Papua New Guinean Art, he has donated more than 600 items of Aboriginal and oceanic art and artefacts from Papua New Guinea, with an estimated value of $1 million to council.
Community group of the Year went to Kilsyth Community Action Group; and environmental Achiever of the Year was Alex Maisey of Kallista,
Certificates of Recognition were awarded to Gareth Hart of Upwey, Sarah Tebbutt of The Patch, Chris Dowling of Montrose, Sally Rutzou of Monbulk and Treasured Babies program in Mooroolbark.
