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Kathryn Smith named 2024 South Gippsland Citizen of the Year for Outstanding Community Volunteer Work and other council updates

Kathryn Smith, 2024 South Gippsland Citizen of the Year, is recognised for her dedication to volunteering. Since moving to Meeniyan in 2003, she's made significant contributions to her community.

By news@gippsland - 26th September 2024 - Back to News

Volunteering is the backbone of a thriving community, and recognising those who dedicate their time and effort to helping others is crucial. One inspiring individual who has been involved in numerous organisations since moving to Meeniyan in 2003, is Kathryn Smith. We recently sat down with Kathryn, nominee and winner of the 2024 South Gippsland Citizen of the Year award, to discuss her volunteer journey and her experience as a nominee for this distinguished award.

2024 South Gippsland Citizen of the Year: Kathryn Smith

Community spirit honoured

Kathryn's faith and love for her community powers her drive to continue her volunteering journey. Playing a crucial role in various groups over the years Kathryn continues to advocate for her hometown and its people. Winning 2024 South Gippsland Citizen of the Year, left Kathryn speechless, as well as overwhelmed by the support and kind words from the community. She recognises the importance of acknowledging the significant contribution of community members through awards like the South Gippsland Australia Day Awards. Find out more, visit:

• 2024 South Gippsland Citizen of the Year
• Australia Day Awards - Nominations

Garage Sale Trail 2024

South Gippsland Shire Council is thrilled to be supporting the Australian Wide Garage Sale Trail campaign. Being part of the Garage Sale Trail, whether you are selling or purchasing goods, is a great way to save many perfectly good items from ending up in landfill.

Registrations for the garage sale trail are officially open. So why not sift through the backs of your dusty cupboards and make a few bucks selling off those forgotten goods. You can look for sales across the country using the interactive map and get first dibs of the sales taking place this November. To register your garage sale or check out what sales are happening near you, head to Garage Sale Trail website.

Clear out and profit! Join 400,000 Australians over two weekends hosting sales or shopping in the nation's largest treasure hunt

Seniors month

South Gippsland Shire Council is excited to support a range of events as part of this year's festivities. These include:

Milpara Community House (Korumburra)

• Chair Yoga - Tuesday 8 October, 10.00am to 11.00am
• Seniors Luncheon - Thursday 10 October, 1.00pm
• Qigong - Tuesday 15 October, 10.00am to 11.00am
• Tai Chi for Arthritis - every Wednesday from 10 to 31 October, 10.30am - 11.30am

Mirboo North Hotel

• Seniors Lunch - Saturday 28 October, 12.00pm

Leongatha Seniors Citizen Centre

• Seniors Entertainment - Friday 11 October, 1.00pm

The Horse Within Equine Assisted Therapy (Loch)

• Hoof to Heart: Tea with Horses - Tuesday 8 October and Tuesday 22 October, 10.00am.

Foster War Memorial Arts Centre

• Senior U3A Prom Coast Performing Arts Concert Singalong - Wednesday 23 October, 10.00am.

Be sure to keep your calendar handy and pencil in these exciting events - you won't want to miss out! For more details, please visit Seniors Month 2024 Activities website.

Community engagement

Victorian Maternal and Child Health Survey 2024

The Victorian Department of Health is calling on parents, mothers, fathers, carers and families to share their experiences with the Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service. Your feedback will help inform what is working well and what can be improved to better support Victorian parents and families in raising happy and healthy children.

The survey is anonymous and takes just a few minutes. For more information and to take the survey, please visit the Engage Victoria website. Survey submissions close Sunday 17 November.

Have your say on the Cape to Cape Resilience Plan to help manage coastal hazards and climate adaptation. Feedback closes Sunday 13 October 2024

Cape to Cape Resilience Project

Have your say on the draft Cape to Cape Resilience Plan. Over the past four years, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action has collaborated with communities, land managers, and coastal experts to plan for future changes to the coastline at Inverloch, Venus Bay, and Anderson Inlet.

The Cape to Cape Resilience Plan aims to help manage coastal hazards and increase resilience from Cape Paterson to Cape Liptrap. This plan combines technical and strategic work with community engagement to inform long-term planning and manage important places and assets. It also includes actions to adapt to climate change impacts. To read the plan and provide your feedback, please visit Engage Victoria - Cape to Cape Resilience Project website. Feedback closes Sunday 13 October.

Funding opportunities

Strong and Resilient Communities Activity

The Australian Government Department of Social Services has announced funding for volunteer-involving organisations through its 'Strong and Resilient Communities Activity' grants program. Not-for-profit organisations can apply for small grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000.

These funds are for one-off, time limited projects that build volunteer management capability, and help the organisation to support the social and economic participation of vulnerable and disadvantaged people. For more information and to submit your application, please visit Volunteering Victoria website. Submissions close Friday 4 October.

Other funding opportunities

• Country Football and Netball Program -Submissions close Monday 30 September
• Sporting Club Grants - Submissions close Friday 11 October
• Tiny Towns Fund - Submissions close Friday 25 October

Snap Send Solve

Spotted a dangerous pothole? Or maybe some broken playground equipment? Get it reported quickly and easily using Snap Send Solve. It's free! Download the app to your phone now or report it online via Snap Send Solve website.

Pictures from South Gippsland Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com