Latest News• Add My News • Search Old News Gippsland › Latest news › Gippsland Portal Feature2011 Bass Coast Australia Day Awards Aussies Award ceremonies were held in Cowes and Wonthaggi as part of Australia Day celebrations across the Shire. Bass Coast Mayor, Cr "It was a privilege to be able to make these presentations, acknowledging the contributions of these amazing community members," said Cr Dowman. The Mayor said the Australia Day awards were a unique way to honour their efforts. "The awards are a way to focus on a select group of people and the work they do. "However, the entire day is a celebration of our community and its achievements, making it a better place to live and visit." This year’s Bass Coast Australia Day Award recipients are: Citizen of the Year – Caroline Talbot Caroline Talbot is an active and valued member of the "Caroline is a genuine person and a quiet achiever who inspires others through her dedication, commitment and self motivation," said Cr Dowman. "Her enthusiasm, friendliness and passion for her community is widely recognised and appreciated. "Caroline is highly regarded and respected for her hard work across the Shire and her drive to increase the services available to Young Citizen of the Year – Ryan Bowler Ryan Bowler is a respected and popular member of the Arts community. He is dedicated, eager to learn and a fantastic role model for other young people in the area. His passion for the Arts, particularly singing and dancing has seen a long involvement with the Wonthaggi Theatrical Group and the "Ryan also advocates strongly for charity. He has always been prepared to help others and has been active in collecting funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital," said Cr Dowman. "Ryan has made a significant push in organising fund raising for research and increased awareness for the Stroke Foundation. "He is passionate about his life in the Arts and actively encourages others to be involved, and is a worthy winner of our Young Citizen of the Year Award." Sports Person of the Year – Noel West Noel West has participated in or promoted sport for most of his life, making a significant contribution to sport in the Shire. He has spent many years as a player and coach at both senior and junior levels. He began football with the Wonthaggi Blues and was a part of their most successful era, winning a League Best and Fairest and representing the League in inter-League matches. Along the way Noel has coached at various levels, has been President of the Kilcunda-Bass Football Club and took up umpiring for several years. "Noel has been a leader and recognised team player at all times, encouraging others to set themselves goals, work hard and achieve them," said Cr Dowman. "His positive advice with cricketers saw several youngsters playing at District and State levels. "He is a fantastic role model for young sportspeople and I am sure he will continue to foster growth and development in sport for many years to come." Arts and Cultural Ambassador of the Year – Lesla Saraghi For the last 30 years Lesla has successfully been involved with the Phillip Island Film Society, offering a diverse range of art, multi-language and cultural films which wouldn’t normally be screened in a mainstream cinema. Among Lesla’s many achievements she has arranged bus trips for "Lesla’s involvement within the Phillip Island Community has been inspirational to both artists and visitors," said Cr Dowman. "Lesla contributes a lot to the community and is a worthy winner of the Arts and Cultural Ambassador of the Year award." Community Event of the Year – Wonthaggi Centenary Street Parade and Garden Party Over 7,000 people lined the streets of Wonthaggi in March to help celebrate Wonthaggi’s Centenary. A committed group of Bass Coast Shire Council staff worked for six months in the lead up to the event to ensure it ran smoothly. The success of this event involved many people and the level of volunteer commitment Council demonstrated was overwhelming. The celebrations included a street parade with a fleet of floats paraded by a variety of community groups. The parade concluded at the hospital grounds where a gala garden party was held including rides, face painting, and a variety of stalls. Approximately 80 "On the day over 100 staff volunteered to help marshal the parade, set up the garden party and act as ambassadors for the event," said Cr Dowman. "The event was a magnificent example of cooperation and community spirit. So many people from many different organisations worked extremely hard to make this event such a success. "Bass Coast Shire Council did an outstanding job of throwing Wonthaggi a party to remember." Environmental Ambassador of the Year – Alan Fraser Alan Fraser has been a self employed electrician since he was 26 years old and has been instrumental in initiating the Power Grid Option Group. With the announcement of the Desalination Plant, Alan spent months lobbying and meeting with political departments, and urged affected landholders to persuade the State Government that the power for the Desalination plant should go underground. Alan successfully argued his ideas and the pylon design was overturned. This was a relief for farm owners and locals. "As chairman, Alan was a full-time volunteer. His hard work definitely paid off for the benefit of affected land owners," said Cr Dowman. "Honouring Alan as our 2011 Environmental Ambassador is one way we can highlight his role in protecting our local environment to the people of Family Achievement Award – Bruce and Sheila Campbell Bruce and Sheila Campbell have made a significant contribution to the Kernot community and the wider Bass Coast community. Through their voluntary work, they have made a real difference to the lives of others. They are continually putting up their hands to assist others, and are dedicated to making a difference through their input on various committees. "People are often seeking advice from Bruce and Sheila, who always make the time to support others," said Cr Dowman. "They have been actively involved in a long list of groups and committees which have benefited the community. "Through their friendliness, loyalty and honesty, these two continue to be popular community leaders and are a great example to others."
For more information contact: communications assistant t (03) 5671 2756 | f (03) 5671 2222 | e r.snell@basscoast.vic.gov.au Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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