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Over 200 people attend Saturday Australia Day Celebrations at Nowa Nowa Recreation Reserve

Australia Day Celebrations hosted by East Gippsland Shire Council the shire-wide awards tapped into the Australia Day theme of "We're all part of the story - reflect, respect, celebrate".

By news@gippsland - 21st January 2022 - Back to News

A turnout of more than 200 people at the Nowa Nowa Recreation Reserve on Saturday, January 22, celebrated the outstanding contribution of more than 30 individuals and community events at the annual Australia Day Awards.

East Gippsland Shire Council is grateful to everyone who made our Australia Day Awards this morning in Nowa Nowa such a spectacular celebration of outstanding achievements by individuals and groups in our community

Welcoming to the country

Held in Nowa Nowa for the first time, the awards included a welcome to country by:

• Gunaikurnai elders Aunty Sandra Patten and Uncle Lennie Hayes
• Flag unfurling by the Bairnsdale Scouts (on a flagpole the Scouts on site for the day)
• Songs from the Nowa Nowa Men's Choir

Keynote address from visiting Australia Day Ambassador Paul Wheelton AM Twin Rivers Lions Club had the sausages and bacon and egg rolls sizzling throughout the morning.

Acknowledgement to the contribution

Mayor, Cr Mark Reeves said the awards were a wonderful way for council and the community to acknowledge the contribution volunteers
make in our community. Cr Reeves said this was evident in the 33 nominations across the three award categories - Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year. "The quality of nominations this year was fantastic. Hats off to all finalists and to everyone who took the time to nominate such worthy people and events this year," Cr Reeves said.

Citizen of the Year

Founders of the Bushfire Recovery Project, Ann and Stan have potted over 6,000native plants and trees and distributed across the East Gippsland region to those affected by the bushfires.

This hard-working duo has contributed to the restoration of native flora in East Gippsland and have had a positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of those affected by the bushfires.

As members of the Australian Native Plants Society and Lakes Entrance Garden Club, Ann and Stan have contributed to community life for many years in a voluntary capacity, including opening their own garden.

Ann and Stan Barker, of Lakes Entrance, were announced as Citizen of the Year for the extensive volunteer work

Nominees for Citizen of the Year award, David Appleton, Peta Bassett, Laurel Calvert, Paul Carroll, Debbie Carruthers, Barbara Dodd, Angela Dunkley, Norm Elliott, Claire-Lise Gamble, Brodie Gaudion, Lorna King, Judy Marsden, Cathy McLellan, David McCoy, Peter Neal, Elaine Newcomen, Ronald Edwards Pepper, Ula Sheather, Peter Sindrey, Amber Wade, Robert Wright

Young Citizen of the Year

Paris Davis has been volunteering as the Youth Leader for Gipps Youth Club at Orbost for the past four years. Paris goes over and above to young people to participate in health and lifestyle programs and activities to benefit their health and wellbeing. Paris is an inspiration to the community, assisting with raising funds for the Youth Club to support social activities for the young people and their families.

In the photo are Nominees for Citizen of the Year, Damen Bassett,Citizen of the Year winner, Paris Davis, Brydie Bourke, and Chloe Peters

Community Event of the Year

The inaugural East Gippsland Winter Festival was a series of community events including lantern parades, laneway street food nights and food van feasts with live entertainment, projections, art and light installations, bonfire nights, concerts, exhibitions, ticketed dinners, performances, workshops and tours across the region.

East Gippsland Winter Festival was named as the Community Event of the Year 2022 at this morning's Australia Day Awards

It brought the community together and encouraged collaboration. The entire festival was designed around promoting the region - not one individual event. This included promotion of towns right across East Gippsland as well as local restaurants, wineries, breweries, chefs, producers, studios and galleries, and tourism operators.

Organisers collaborated and involved over 50 local businesses and sole traders and 200 local community members with the festival in a volunteer capacity. The nominees are:

• 7 Generations Art Mural
• Colour Ya World Bairnsdale
• Landcare Sustainability Expo (Orbost Show)
• The Sandhill Ashes
• Winter Festival Lantern Parade (Orbost)

In celebrating all nominees and award recipients, Cr Reeves said volunteers give so much of their time, passion, and dedication to helping others. "This is highly valued and does not go unnoticed," Cr Reeves said.

Opportunity to attend the celebrations

The presentation of the awards was broadcast live on the council's YouTube channel. It is available to watch online by watching the East Gippsland Shire Council Australia Day Awards 2022 video. Photographs and details of award winners and nominees are also available on the East Gippsland Shire Australia Day page on our website.

Council holds the shire-wide awards prior to Australia Day to allow winners and nominees the opportunity to attend celebrations in their own towns on Australia Day, 26 January. Saturday's event was supported by the National Australia Day Council

Pictures from East Gippsland Shire Council Facebook page and East Gippsland Australia Day 2022 website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Baw Baw Shire Council seeks community feedback on first draft Events Strategy for future events from 27 August to 16 September 2026
  Baw Baw Shire is inviting residents, event organisers and local businesses to comment on its first draft Events Strategy, open on Baw Baw Connect from August 27 to September 16, helping shape future event planning across the Shire.
• Gippsland Landcare champions win Victorian awards for environmental conservation, First Nations collaboration and sustainable agriculture achievements
  Two Gippsland Landcare champions have won 2026 Victorian Landcare Awards, with Moogji Aboriginal Council and Kate Mirams and Peter Neaves recognised for environmental stewardship, collaboration and sustainable agriculture.
• Baw Baw Shire Council keeps fortnightly red bins, weekly FOGO collections despite petition calling for weekly rubbish service
  Baw Baw Council will retain fortnightly red-bin and weekly FOGO collections despite a 6,139-signature petition seeking weekly rubbish services, citing $173,000 annual costs and reduced landfill waste.
• Bass Coast Shire Council seeks community input to shape future grants program and strengthen local community initiatives until 4 October 2026
  Bass Coast Council is reviewing its Community Grants Program, inviting residents and groups to help shape funding priorities supporting local projects, events, climate action and community initiatives.
• Community groups encouraged to apply for East Gippsland’s 2026-27 grants program before 14 September 20260 deadline
  East Gippsland community groups can apply for 2026–27 grants supporting community, environmental, social and wellbeing projects, with funding from $3,000 to $20,000 available until September 14, 2026.
• Bass Coast Shire Council asks residents to keep FOGO bins cardboard-free following updated recycling guidelines from April 2026
  Bass Coast Council asks residents to keep cardboard out of FOGO bins from April 2026, ensuring high-quality compost, reducing contamination, and supporting efficient recycling and local environmental sustainability.
• Baw Baw Shire Council to consider cost of returning to weekly red-bin collections
  Baw Baw Council will investigate the costs and implications of restoring weekly red-bin collections after a 6,139-signature petition highlighted strong community concern over the FOGO changes.
• Baw Baw Shire Council launches the return of Gippy Girls Can in September with something for every woman
  Gippy Girls Can returns across Baw Baw in September, offering women and girls welcoming, beginner-friendly and affordable opportunities to try new activities, get active and connect.
• Bass Coast Shire Council traineeships open pathways to local careers and opportunities
  Bass Coast Council’s 2026 traineeship program supports seven trainees with practical experience, qualifications and career pathways. Applications for 2027 are expected early next year, with opportunities showcased at Phillip Island September expo.
• Moe’s first women’s cricket team makes history as $11M Ted Summerton Reserve upgrade boosts regional sport and accessibility
  Moe’s Ted Summerton Reserve has received an $11 million upgrade, delivering improved sporting facilities, accessibility and female-friendly change rooms ahead of the town’s first women’s cricket match. The project supported 370 jobs.
• Morwell’s Gippsland Sports and Entertainment Park celebrates major $45M redevelopment and new regional sporting facilities
  Morwell’s Gippsland Sports and Entertainment Park celebrates a $45 million redevelopment, featuring five playing surfaces, 1,200 seats, upgraded facilities and new event spaces.
• Wellington Shire dog attacks decline, but council urges owners to secure pets and practise responsible dog ownership
  Wellington Shire recorded 64 dog attack reports over the past year, down from 93. Council urges owners to secure dogs, supervise children and practise responsible pet ownership to prevent further incidents.
• Baw Baw Council awards $137,000 in community grants to 35 local groups supporting events, programs, equipment and community projects across the shire
  Baw Baw Shire Council has conditionally awarded more than $137,000 to 35 community groups through its first 2026/27 grants round, supporting local events, projects, equipment and initiatives across the Shire.
• Sailors Grave Brewing celebrates ten years, turning East Gippsland's produce and remote coast into a destination
  Sailors Grave Brewing celebrates ten years, growing from an Orbost butter factory brewery into a celebrated Marlo destination showcasing East Gippsland’s produce, landscapes, creativity and community through distinctive beers and local food.
• Gippsland Water backs biochar research to transform biosolids into sustainable soil health and waste management solutions
  Gippsland Water is supporting national research into converting wastewater biosolids into biochar, aiming to improve soil health, advance sustainable waste management, and assess contaminant destruction, including PFAS, through innovative recycling.
• South Gippsland residents invited to shape future heritage precincts across four townships through community consultation
  South Gippsland Shire Council is inviting residents across Loch, Fish Creek, Toora and Korumburra to help shape and protect their townships' unique heritage character.
• West Gippsland CMA celebrates rural women’s contributions to agriculture, healthy catchments and sustainable farming futures
  West Gippsland CMA celebrates rural women’s contributions through a podcast featuring dairy farmer Jess Knight, highlighting farm life, community connections, irrigation knowledge and sustainable agricultural practices shaping the region’s future.
• Baw Baw Shire endorses revised Community Engagement Policy to strengthen participation and build trust in council decisions
  Baw Baw Shire councillors have unanimously endorsed a revised Community Engagement Policy, aiming to strengthen community participation, ensure meaningful feedback and build greater trust in Council’s decision-making processes.
• Councils begin planning for renewable energy growth across Wellington and South Gippsland communities
  Wellington and South Gippsland councils have begun a major renewable energy planning project, backed by $4.7 million, to prepare communities for future growth through housing, infrastructure, employment, services and economic development.
• Labor government invests $750,000 to support young Gippslanders into education, training and employment opportunities
  The Victorian Labor government is investing $750,000 in Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley, supporting 120 young people facing barriers to education, training and employment through 2028.