Community members honoured at annual awards gala

BELLARINE community members were hailed for their contributions over the past year at this year’s Ocean Grove Rotary’s Community Awards night last week.

The event, hosted at the Ocean Bowling Club on Tuesday, June 4 with nominations for the awards open during March and April for people either living or working in the Southern Bellarine area.

Among the field of nominees were a large list of submissions across five different award categories.

The Team Member of the Year Award winner was given to Brooklyn Sacchetta from Salon Utopia, for her commitment to ongoing personal development through study in community services and mental health. Runner up was Nola Laverty from The Piping Hot Chicken & Burger Grill.

Volunteer Organisation of the Year Award recipient was Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine, for its ongoing support for residents facing the challenges of end of life to remain at home.

Salon Utopia’s Leanne Ward was named the winner in the Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Award for her expertise in beauty and hairdressing.

The Small Business Excellence Award of the Year was Point Lonsdale Heath & Wellness, and the inaugural recipient of the new People’s Choice Award was announced The Grove Coffee Co., voted in by members of the community.

“Rotary is pleased to promote service excellence within our community through the annual vocational awards program,” Ocean Grove Rotary vocational director Marita Scott said.

“It is evident in the number of nominations received, the excellent standard of the submissions and the obvious delight of the winners and runners up that community recognition matters.

“Ocean Grove Rotary would like to congratulate everyone who was nominated for an award and thank those who put forward nominations.”

The awards again garnered an incredible amount of community support, receiving sponsorship from Barwon Heads Community Bank, Ryman Health Care, Ocean Grove Bowling Club, 360Q, Beach Terrace Café, Barwon Heads IGA, Barwon Heads Pharmacy, Barwon Heads Hotel, Ocean Grove Business Association, DC Roofing, Chopped & Bobbed and Coastline Alfresco.