By Kath Gannaway
Warburton teenager Hannah Mahoney is Yarra Ranges Council’s Young Citizen of the Year.
The 17-year-old community leader has been recognised for her leadership and community work in Upper Yarra and is among a diverse range of people from across Yarra Ranges shire who contribute to making their communities a better place in which to live.
The shire awards ceremony will take place at Montrose Town Centre later today Australia Day (Friday, 26 January) following a citizenship ceremony at which 10 people representing five nationalities will become Australian citizens.
Hannah, a VCE student and three-times year captain at Upper Yarra Secondary College, is a dynamo – passionate about her community and social causes.
She has been a welcoming face, worker and mentor at the Koha Community Café in Yarra Junction for eight years and has recently joined the committee. She mentors primary school children at the Redwood Community Centre after school twice a week, and after identifying a need in young people around her, lobbied the school to adopt the Victorian Government’s Safe Schools Program.
Putting her love of animals into action, Hannah shaved her waist-long hair raising $5000 for a vet clinic in Cambodia where she had volunteered in villages and schools in 2016.
She also took part in Council’s ROAR 2017 Youth Leadership Program and is fearless in challenging stereotypes around race and gender.
Hannah said she was surprised but ‘pretty chuffed’ to receive the award which she hoped would inspire others to get involved.
“It is about contributing to your community, realising that it is possible and that no matter how old you are there is always a way to do that,” she said.
“It’s important to find something you are passionate about and go from there.
“I have found that through different volunteering work I’ve done, I’ve made friends and connected with people of all ages, but specifically with kids somewhat around my age who I would not have really talked with otherwise.
“It’s interesting to talk to them and find out how they see the world.”
Healesville environmentalists were also honoured with Bob Anderson, founder and past president of Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeaters, the 2018 Citizen of the Year, and Peter Hannaford, founder of the Judith Eardley Save Wildlife Association, the 2018 Environmentalist of the Year.
Gruyere CFA volunteer, the late Don Bigham was recognised for his outstanding contribution across a number of organisations with the Ian De La Rue Award for Community Leadership.
The Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award has gone to Bev McAllister OAM from The Patch for her work with the Dandenong Ranges music Council, the Mooroolbark Umbrella Group (MUG) was recognised as Community Group of the Year and the Ken McIntosh Memorial Award for Young Environmental Achiever of the Year went to Belgrave nine-year-olds Brock and Ben.
Leading up to the awards presentation, Yarra Ranges Mayor, Len Cox, said they were a chance for Council to recognise the people and groups across the municipality who give their time to help others.
“Through these awards, we get to celebrate the people who improve our daily lives and our communities, and thank them for generously giving their time and skills,” Cr Cox said.
He said every person on the award list had been driven by the same goal – to make Yarra Ranges a better place to live.
“Whether it’s lending a hand to neighbours or people in need, providing their skills to their local community group or emergency service, or protecting and enhancing our beautiful natural environment, they have succeeded in doing that,” he said.
Certificates of Recognition were awarded to Maureen Halit of Millgrove, Lynn Hannam of Warburton, Ian Townsley of Mooroolbark and Geoff Brown of Mount Evelyn.
