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Latrobe City Announces Australia Day WinnersAt an Australia Day Awards ceremony at Kernot Hall, Morwell Latrobe City Council awarded its prestigious Citizen of the Year award to Lois Williams, an active member of her local community who has spent a lifetime helping others. By Latrobe City - 21st January 2015 - Back to News Latrobe City Council’s mayor, Councillor Dale Harriman, said that Lois is a worthy recipient.
"Ms Williams has devoted her life to the advancement and wellbeing of other people both young and old. She was a teacher at Moe High School in 1965 and soon became involved in other community activities including the running of a Pastoral Care Program. She followed her families’ interest in sport and became involved with the Newborough Football Club and the Yallourn Swimming Club and lobbied to have an indoor heated pool at Newborough. Lois is life member of the Mid Gippsland Football League, Yallourn Golf Club, and the Central Gippsland Out and About Recreational Network.
"Lois also organises shipments of textbooks and educational material to needy primary schools in Vanuatu, knits singlets for AIDS babies in Africa and supplies premature babywear and beanies to the Churchill Lions Club. She is a jewel in the crown of Latrobe City and an example to everyone," Cr Harriman said.
"The Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Brodie Logue, a 15 year old student at Flinders Christian College and is Deputy Mayor on Latrobe City Youth Council. He has been selected to represent Victoria at the 100th Centenary of the ANZAC at Gallipoli next year and is a strong advocate for the Morwell Mine Fire Long Term Health Study.
"The Community Event of the Year went to Baringa’s Friendship Games, an annual soccer tournament for special schools from Victoria, hosting Officer Specialist and Wangaratta Special School as well as all Gippsland Special Schools including Bairnsdale, Sale Traralgon, Warragul, Wonthaggi, Leongatha, and of course Baringa in Moe. The tournament has grown over the years and this year hosted over 200 students.
"The Kelso Road Project was awarded the Community Service of the Year and saw a group of Yallourn North residents help a family that had suffered multiple tragedies renovate their home using donations and in kind labour. The house underwent an almost total refurbishment in just weeks," Cr Harriman said.
"The quality of the candidates through the nominations process, across all awards this year, was very encouraging. There is so much community spirit, and incredibly dedicated community leaders in our midst, and I commend every person and every event nominated," Cr Harriman concluded.
Other Nominations for Citizen of the Year
DR FRED EDWARDS
Dr Edwards was one of the first practitioners to open bulk billing clinics in the community, making good medicine accessible to all. Throughout his time he has worked tirelessly to not only provide good quality medicine, but also to increase the medical resources in the rural area, by mentoring non VR doctors, registrars and students.
DONNA FAULKNER
Donna started a Disability Employment Service in Gippsland that would provide a reputable specialist employment service for people with a disability and become one of only five private providers in Australia. Work Solutions Gippsland has grown from three offices with eight staff to ten offices with 37 staff and assisted 957 people with a disability into employment across Gippsland.
LISA SINHA
Lisa Sinha is the Director of Gippsland Multicultural Services and has been assisting refugees and migrants in Latrobe City for the last 20 years. Lisa has the strongest belief and passion in access and equity for migrants and refugees in this area and is very well respected for her proactive work in getting their voices heard, both by those she is helping and service providers with whom she collaborates.
JILL WILLIAMS
As at October 2014, Jill has completed 28 years’ service with the Moe Fire Bridge. In 2007 she took on the role as Brigade Treasurer which she still holds, and has received her 25 year badge. In 2006, Jill trained in the ‘We Care Program’ administered by Latrobe City Council, which encourages personal friendships with the frail and elderly, including being involved in regular outings and has continued with this program. In 2009 she joined Moe’s ‘Meals on Wheels’ as a committee member and still delivers regular meals.
Other Nominations for Community Service of the Year
MAKE MOE GLOW
For the past eight years or so, Make Moe Glow has been the instigator of a large number of projects designed to improve and maintain the aesthetic condition of the locality and to foster a greater sense of community pride.
THE MORWELL NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE
The Morwell Neighbourhood House and Learning Centre Inc. is a vital organisation in the Latrobe Valley Community. During 2012 and present day the House has demonstrated strong leadership within the community. The House actively engages, support and advocates for the community.
Other Nominations for Community Event of the Year
2013 DUNCAN’S RUN 100
This Event is a trail run in memory of runner Duncan Orr who passed away from an accident in 2013. Duncan’s dream and Goal was to use the beauty of our area at Tarra-Bulga National park to hold a 100Km trail run on the Grand Stzrelecki Track, part of the iconic Strzelecki Ranges.
2013 LATROBE VALLEY RELAY FOR LIFE
In 2014, 40 teams and over 900 registered participants through the Latrobe Valley Relay for Life, raised $140,000 for Cancer Council Victoria’s cancer research, prevention and support programs. This year will be the 12th year that the event has been held.
GERMAN CLUB ASTORIA – OKTOBERFEST
The annual Club Astoria Oktoberfest has been held now for some 13 years and is seen by many as the ‘go-to’ event in the area for all ages.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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