Queenscliffe to honour community members with annual awards

THE Borough of Queenscliffe has opened nominations for its Annual Community Service Awards.

Each year, the awards are announced during National Volunteer Week.

The awards recognise individuals, community groups, and organisations for their contributions to the Borough.

Each year, the awards include up to two Citizen of the Year awards and one Community Group of the Year award, aimed at acknowledging significant community contributions.

Mayor Isabelle Tolhurst said the awards were all about community connection.

“This is about bringing people together who make our community better,” Cr Tolhurst said.

In 2023, the Citizen of the Year was awarded to Lyn Houldcroft for her volunteering roles, which included contributions to the Point Lonsdale and Queenscliffe RSL Red Cross unit for some 20 years.

“When it was announced that I had been chosen, I felt not only humbled, but extremely honoured,” Ms Houldcroft said.

“The organisations that I am involved with – Red Cross, Queenscliffe Lighthouse Theatre Group and the RSL are all run completely by volunteers.”

“Yes, I have made a contribution, but, as I said when I accepted the award, there is no I in team and each of these, and all other voluntary organisations in the Borough, can only survive due to the enormous contribution by many, many people.”

The 2023 Community Group of the Year was awarded to Coast Guard Queenscliffe.

Nominations for the awards opened on 1 January 2024, and are open to all who live, work, or volunteer in the Borough of Queenscliffe.

Community members can nominate individuals or groups, and self-nominations are accepted for the Community Group of the Year category.

The deadline for submitting nominations is 18 February 2024.

A panel, comprising members from various community sectors, will evaluate the nominations.

The awards ceremony is a part of the Borough’s National Volunteer Week activities, highlighting the role of volunteerism and community service in Queenscliffe.

For more information on nominations and criteria, interested individuals can contact the Borough of Queenscliffe or visit the Borough’s website.