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Wellington Recognises CitizensAs part of Australia Day activities Wellington Shire Council has recognised the work of individuals and groups who have made a significant contribution to their community. By Wellington Shire Council - 2nd February 2007 - Back to News Cr Beth Ripper, Mayor of Wellington Shire Council, said the winners in all categories of the Shire Awards deserved congratulations.
"These awards demonstrate the strength of community activity in Wellington," said Cr Ripper.
"We had many wonderful nominations and so many people and groups deserve praise for their community work in the Shire.
The awards covered Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Group of the Year and Community Event of the Year.
"The winners have all made outstanding contributions to our community," said Cr Ripper.
Details of the Awards are:
Wellington Shire Council Citizen of the Year Award
Gillian Mayhew
Gillian has provided Visitor Services and information for visitor to Maffra for the past 14 years, as part of this role she has coordinated the volunteers and raised money for the centre.
She has also provided a central point of contact for local organisations and groups needing a central coordinating location and resources
Gillian wrote the "Country Road’ Booklet, covering from Traralgon to Stratford Via Maffra.
Aside from her work at the Visitor Information Centre Gillian has also served as the President and the Secretary Maffra Garden Club.
Gillian was a member of the Maffra Chamber of Commerce from 1990-2000 and also served on the ‘Pride of Place’ subcommittee that was instrumental in helping to develop the river precinct for Port of Maffra 1998-2001.
Gillian served for a number of years as the Secretary Maffra Chamber of Commerce and was a Foundation member of Gippsland Vehicle Collection.
Young Citizen of the Year Award:
Narelle Hahn
Narelle has contributed to her community in many and various ways.
On her days off Narelle has been a volunteer at the Meerlieu Primary School assists with schools concerts and other activities.
She plays the trumpet at Perry Bridge Community Church and at the Bengworden Carols.
Narelle has helped at cleanups at the Clive Disher Scout Camp and maintains the community noticeboard.
Narelle has helped many local organisations. She has assisted the Perry Bridge Ladies Club for catering at local functions, and designed and painted murals for Meerlieu Cricket Club
She helps her elderly neighbour to maintain a clean and tidy backyard and tidies the Perry Bridge Community Church, where she has also assisted invitations and order of service for Perry Bridge Community Church centenary.
As a student at Sale College Narelle is also a member of Senior concert Band, Big Band, the Senior Brass Ensemble and the Student Leadership Council
Sale College Representative Sporting Teams for Badminton, Tennis, Netball and Clay Target Shooting
The Wellington Shire Council Community Group of the Year Award:
Sale Baptist Church Youth Group
This group has made a significant contribution to youth and families in our area.
The group provides a safe environment for young people to have fun and learn positive life skills. The group assists a large number of families who are not connected with the church
The groups activities include Ignite youth, a youth group which runs on Friday nights and regularly sees 75 or more young people coming along
Youth Leaders from the group have also visited 3 High Schools to promote having fun in a clean, safe and healthy way.
The group has visited the schools and organised a carnival-type programme with a band, games, sausage sizzle, giveaways (vouchers and little stuff from a whole range of different local businesses), fairy floss, dance and DJ workshops. Their aim is to promote that life can be excellent, and that you can have lots of fun.
Each week the youth leaders also visit Guthridge Primary and Sale College junior campus and play games with the kids and aim to be a positive role model and influence on their lives. Also, some of the youth leaders recently volunteered as leaders for the Guthridge Primary Grade 5 camp.
The Masterworks program, the 'music arm' of the youth group, and involves working with the young people to help them to develop their talents with their instruments and learn how to play together as a band.
Other activities include a combined camp with a Bairnsdale church to Coonawarra Camp, music events, bible studies and internships.
The Wellington Shire Council Community Event of the Year Award:
Gippsland Vehicle Collection Grand Opening
The Grand Opening on Gippsland Vehicle Collection on 15 October 2006 was the result of 2 ˝ years of hard work by the Collection committee.
The committee, which is comprised of people with a wide range of vehicle and historical interests, put in a lot of time and effort planning the event.
Within that time they also renovated the historic building and established an on going motor museum as a show piece for the Maffra Community.
The Grand Opening event attracted numerous historic vehicles for display and attracted many visitors to our area.
It has also prompted an ongoing interest in the collection.
The Gippsland Vehicle Collection provides Gippsland with an outstanding rotating display of interesting vehicles: cars, motorbikes, machinery, historic vehicles, carriages, trucks and auto memorabilia
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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