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Citizen of the Year award an honourThe 2017 Bass Coast Australia Day Awards acknowledge those who make a positive contribution to our community and nominations for Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year are now open.
By Portal Admin - 15th November 2016 - Back to News Nominating someone who goes above and beyond for our community can be a great way to help them see how thankful we all are for their contribution.
The 2016 Citizen of the Year joint winner, Tricia Hogan, said she was blown away when she was nominated for the award.
"I had a really emotional reaction and I burst into tears. It was lovely and very touching that someone had noticed the work that we had had been doing with the local kids.
The award was made even sweeter because we were nominated by Max Wells, Surfing Victoria’s CEO. Max has been remarkable and a great mentor to us both," Ms Hogan said.
"I was happy with just being nominated and so when we won, I was totally surprised, shocked, and thrilled.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I think that we would win.
"It is such an honour and this award was made even better because it was shared with my equally hard working, passionate and driven mate, Allison O'Halloran.
"For the last four years we have worked extremely hard to keep this longstanding local club 'buoyant'."
Ms Hogan thanked the Citizen of the Year Award Committee for their decision, which she said was a clear indication that they feel that the future of our area is in the young people.
"Our kids need to be guided, cherished and given opportunity.
"The award indicated to me that the Council had a focus and understood about the importance of healthy stimulated kids," Ms Hogan said.
"This accolade has certainly put the spotlight on our near defunct club. The Bass Coast Boardriders Club is now vibrant and flourishing.
"Our young members are shining examples of the benefits of health, fitness and friendship.
"The award has spurned me on, and given me the confidence to continue building and educating the kids in our club.
"Sporting clubs benefit children and sometimes, in many cases, they are their saviour."
Ms Hogan encourages all community members to nominate a hard working unassuming 'local' for the 2017 awards.
"We have so many wonderful community minded and worthy recipients within our Shire," Ms Hogan said.
"Bass Coast is full of lots of wonderful souls that are going 'above and beyond' to help others. I hope that the Committee is inundated with nominations this year."
Nominees for Citizen of the Year must be aged 25 years or over on 26 January 2017 and for Young Citizen of the Year must be aged 16-24 years on 26 January 2017.
Nominations must be for individuals, as those for multiple people will not be considered.
Nominations close on Friday, 9 December 2016 and the finalists and winners will be announced in the lead up to Australia Day in January 2017.
If you would like to nominate a local hero, you can download more information and the nomination forms online at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/2017awards, or have a printed version posted to you by contacting Linda Ryan at l.ryan@basscoast.vic.gov.au, or (03) 5671 2747.
The 2016 Citizen of the Year joint winner, Tricia Hogan (far left), pictured with joint winner, Allison O’Halloran, and Australia Day Ambassador, Elizabeth Chong, encourages the community to nominate worthy locals for the 2017 award.
For more information contact:
Simone Short
media communications officer
t (03) 5671 2703 | f (03) 5671 2222
e simone.short@basscoast.vic.gov.au
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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