2020 Australia Day Awards highlight community spirit

Published on 17 January 2020

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The 2020 Moira Shire Australia Day Awards were held on Thursday 16 January with 27 nominees for individuals, community events and community groups recognised for their contribution to local communities.

Mayor Libro Mustica congratulated the people and projects nominated for these awards and said they showcased the many strengths of local communities across the shire.
We are so fortunate to have many passionate and dedicated volunteers who donate their time and skills for the betterment of others, Cr Mustica said.

Their commitment to the community plays an enormous role within our region.
Without award ceremonies such as this, many of these groups, organisations and individuals would go unrecognised by the wider community, and the Australia Day Awards in particular is an opportunity to celebrate and applaud the efforts and achievements of each nominee.
Each nominee was assessed by a panel of judges who praised the calibre of nominations.

I would like to thank the Members for Northern Victoria Hon Wendy Lovell, Tim Quilty, and Tania Maxwell, Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy and Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed for attending this award ceremony.
2020 Moira Shire Australia Day Award Winners -

Citizen of the Year - Michael Coates, Katamatite.

Michael has lived in Katamatite for more than 25 years and has always been involved in community organisations including the local football club, Lions Club, Indoor bowls, cricket club and Cemetery Trust. He has continued to maintain and mow the oval for both the cricket and football season and was recently awarded a Life Membership with the football club. He also maintains the lawn cemetery on a regular basis.

Young Citizen of the Year - Dylan Sidebottom, Tungamah.

Dylan has grown up in the Tungamah area and been a part of community activities from a young age. Dylan is involved in his local sporting clubs, a volunteer firefighter with the Tungamah Fire Brigade and helps each Good Friday Appeal. As well as playing football, he umpires for the Under 14s and runs water for the senior football teams.  Dylan is also a player in the pennant team for the Tungamah Bowls Club. He is on the Student Representative Council at school and has recently returned from walking the Kokoda Track as part of the school's leadership group.

Organisation of the Year - Boomerang Bags Cobram Barooga.

Boomerang Bags Cobram Barooga began in 2016 with a handful of volunteers making re-usable shopping bags from donated fabric. The group is now made up of 30 volunteers who have made more than 3,000 reusable bags and have now branched out into making produce bags.

Event of the Year - Easter Tournament, Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club.

The Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club is a small community tennis club that hosts an annual Easter tournament to raise money, not only for the club but also for local businesses. The Easter tournament attracts more than 1,500 players and their families and friends to Yarrawonga and is a major boost for business owners and tourism operators. This annual event builds social cohesion, generates goodwill, has strengthened continuity and history making, and stimulated positive goal setting for young tennis players.

Arts / Culture or Environment Project of the Year - Boomerang Bags Cobram Barooga.

Boomerang Bags Cobram Barooga have produced more than 3,000 reusable bags from upcycled material since the group started three years ago.  The group has provided valuable leadership to the local community by promoting environmental sustainability and reducing the use of plastic bags.

 

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