2021 Australia Day Awards celebrate an extraordinary year
Published on 15 January 2021
The 2021 Moira Shire Australia Day Awards were held on Thursday 14 January with 33 nominees for individuals, community events and community groups recognised for their contribution to local communities.
Deputy Mayor Julie Brooks congratulated the people and projects nominated for these awards and said they, “Showcased the many strengths of local communities across the shire”.
“It was an honour to officiate at these awards and I was quite overwhelmed by the calibre of our dedicated volunteers and community members,” Cr Brooks said.
“The past 12 months have certainly been trying, with bushfires and then the global pandemic wreaking havoc, and I believe it is more important than ever to recognise our communities’ efforts and achievements.
“Without the Australia Day Awards many of these groups, organisations and individuals would go unrecognised.
“Each nominee was assessed by a panel of judges who praised the calibre of nominations.
“I would like to thank Member for Northern Victoria Hon Wendy Lovell, Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed and Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy for attending our award ceremony.”
2021 Moira Shire Australia Day Award Winners –
Citizen of the Year: Bernadette Steward (Numurkah) and David McKenzie (Nathalia)
Bernadette has been an active member of the Numurkah community all her life, often taking leadership roles in sporting and other community organisations. She has organised the Numurkah Pink Ribbon Lunch, is heavily involved in the Numurkah Historical Society and secretary of the Numurkah Wunghnu Cemetery Trust.
David started volunteering at the age of 10 at the Picola United FC and sat on the club’s committee for 38 years. For 50 years he served with the Picola CFA and since 2003 has been an active member of the Moira Health Alliance Board. David has made important contributions to health services including Meals on Wheels, the Community Car, and the Vic Road Safe program.
Young Citizen of the Year: Isabella Boys (Cobram) and Justin Watson (Nathalia)
Isabella is passionate about her local community and provides assistance to Lions Need for Feed Disaster Relief as well as raising funds to go towards a Hay Run. She is an active member of Parks Victoria’s Junior Ranger program and has been nominated in both the 7News Young Achiever Awards and Vic Regional Development Awards.
Justin is an outstanding member of the Nathalia community, participating in the Lions Youth of the Year Public Speaking, and the United Nations Model Debating events. He co-led the 2019 Anzac Day Ceremony and was an ambassador on a summer student exchange program in Norway. Justin is focussing on the gold level standard in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and received a Melbourne University Kwong Lee Dow scholarship.
Organisation of the Year: Tungamah Lions Club and Nathalia Women’s Health and Support Group
Event of the Year: St Mary’s of the Angels/VCAL program
Art, Culture and/or Environment Project of the Year: Thankyou Nathalia Firey’s Group