Individuals, groups set to be celebrated

SOME of the municipality’s star residents have been revealed, with the nominees announced for the Golden Plains Shire Council Community Awards 2022.

The awards are aim to highlight achievements made last year by individuals and groups within the community, with 12 chosen among the four categories on offer.

An event is set to be held on Tuesday, 24 January at the Dereel Community Hall to honour the nominees and announce the category winners.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Brett Cunningham said the event is celebrating achievements made by the community, for the community.

“The Golden Plains Shire Council Community Awards are a great way to celebrate the people who make our shire a wonderful place to live and we look forward to honouring these community nominees and naming the award winners,” he said.

“Council was extremely impressed by the achievements and commitment of the community members and groups that were nominated… and also thank the local residents who nominated them.”

The Citizen of the Year nominees are Bannockburn resident Melissa Gillett, Smythesdale Country Market organiser Jaymee-Lin Ellis, Meredith Community Centre manager Leah Phillips, Bannockburn YMCA’s Shona Eland and environmentalist Stuart McCallum.

Linton and District Historical Society president Jill Wheeler is in the running for the Senior Citizen of the Year award alongside Heather Butler a Rokewood-based volunteer of more than 30 years.

The Young Citizen of the Year category includes Bannockburn youth advocate Jayden Scheier and FReeZA member Jemma Mizzi from Lethbridge.

The region’s groups nominated for the Community Impact Award are YMCA Bannockburn, the Bannockburn Cemetery Trust and the Mannibadar Settlement Committee.