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Nikki Cadzow named Citizen of the Year at Baw Baw Shire 2024 Australia Day Awards ceremony

Outstanding individuals and groups were honored at the 2024 Baw Baw Shire Council Australia Day Awards. Local volunteer Nikki Cadzow named Citizen of the Year. Community event tomorrow.

By news@gippsland - 25th January 2024 - Back to News

Four outstanding groups and individuals have been recognised for their significant service to Baw Baw Shire following the 2024 Baw Baw Shire Council Australia Day Awards, which were held at the West Gippsland Arts Centre last night. Additionally, seven individuals and community groups were also awarded medallions in honour of their contributions to the community.

L to R: Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Cr Annemarie McCabe, Citizen of the year Nikki Cadzow, Cr Keith Cook, Deputy Mayor Cr Tricia Jones

Volunteer honours celebration

Jindivick local and dedicated volunteer Nikki Cadzow was crowned the 2024 Baw Baw Australia Day Citizen of the Year, in honour of more than 20 years of volunteering in and around her local town. Wednesday night's award winners were each nominated by fellow community members and selected by an official panel, including Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe, and Deputy Mayor Cr Tricia Jones.

Cr McCabe remarked at what an impressive contribution the individuals and groups acknowledged on Wednesday night had made and said it was very heartwarming to have such a high calibre of volunteers right here in Baw Baw. "Your commitment to the community and to making our Shire a better place is admirable and I would like to personally thank you for your dedication."

"These awards provide a wonderful occasion to honour some of the outstanding people in our community who go above and beyond, and each of you should be extremely proud of what you do," Cr McCabe said.

L to R: Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Cr Annemarie McCabe, Young Citizen of the year Ella Duncan, Deputy Mayor Cr Tricia Jones, Deputy Mayor Cr Tricia Jones, Cr Keith Cook

Awards night highlights

Wednesday evening's awards night also included a keynote speech by local published author, Beau Miles. Beau is an adventurer and in 2023 published the book The Backyard Adventurer. Tomorrow, council will hold its annual Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony, which will be followed by a community event in the forecourt of the West Gippsland Arts Centre. Cr McCabe encouraged locals to attend the community event with family fun for everyone and reflected on the importance of council's citizenship ceremonies.

"Council's citizenship ceremonies hold a special place on our calendars, as they are a reminder of why we are so lucky to call this country home, and the fact that people from all across the world have decided that they want to do the same. More than 30 local residents will take the pledge and it marks the final step for the conferees in their journey to becoming an Australian citizen," Cr McCabe said.

The community event in the Arts Centre Forecourt will commence at 12.00pm, with family friendly activities including face painting and games, live music by Meg Doherty, a free community BBQ by the Lion's Club, and a flag-raising ceremony. To find out what other community events are happening across the Shire this Australia Day, visit Australia Day Community Events website.

L to R: Cr Keith Cook, Mayor Annemarie McCabe, Simon Carter, Rudi Paoletti, Andrew Giles, Hayden Irvine, Deputy Mayor Cr Tricia Jones

Categories and winners

Citizen of the Year - Nikki Cadzow

Jindivick stalwart Nikki Cadzow has been crowned Baw Baw Shire Council's 2024 Australia Day Citizen of the Year. Nikki was awarded the honour in recognition of more than 20 years of tireless service and volunteering around Jindivick.

Involved in the local primary school, progress association, hall committee, Girl Guides, the Jindivick Country Market and often the sole organiser of the Jindivick Anzac Day commemoration and Australia Day celebrations, Nikki is highly regarded by fellow Jindivick locals and is the soul of the small Baw Baw community.

Young Citizen of the Year - Ella Duncan

Local youth girls football team Vice-Captain Ella Duncan is a beaming light of positivity for her teammates, and anyone who meets her. Nominated for her encouraging nature and for being a positive role model, Ella was also a school leader and volunteer at Abbey Gardens Aged Care.

Community Group of the Year - The West Gippsland Relic Mining and Heritage Incorporation

The West Gippsland Relic Mining & Heritage Protection Incorporation is a one-of-a-kind organisation in Gippsland. Self-funded, relying on membership and donations, this group has made a significant contribution to Gippsland and north-east Victoria through their work assisting to maintain the Aberfeldie Track four-wheel drive touring route.

The West Gippsland Relic Mining & Heritage Protection Incorporation work alongside the community, government departments and other local community groups to help preserve the history of the local area, while also bringing significant economic benefit to surrounding towns by creating tourist attractions.

L to R: Cr Keith Cook, Mayor Annemarie McCabe, Michael Blackwood, Craig Debnam, Andrew Schreyer, Jamie Power, Rachael Newton, Michael Grogan, Dean Addison, Deputy Mayor Tricia Jones

Community Event of the Year - Baw Baw Biggest Blokes BBQ

Run entirely by volunteers and established in 2012, Baw Baw's Biggest Ever Blokes BBQ has now raised more than $1.7 million in the Baw Baw region, as the committee seeks to heighten prostate cancer awareness and other health initiatives.

They raise much needed funds to encourage early testing and reduce prostate cancer-related deaths in the West Gippsland region. Funds raised are distributed both locally to support the West Gippsland community and nationally to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

The Biggest Blokes BBQ also supports the provision of first aid and mental health awareness training to local schools and community groups, including Baw Baw Live4Life.