From behind the scenes, into the spotlight

CERAMICIST Barry Wemyss has been named Golden Plains Shire Citizen of the Year.

Based in the Smythes Creek-Smythesdale community, Wemyss was celebrated at last week’s municipal awards, help in Turtle Bend park at Teesdale, for his arts advocacy and service to the creative community.

He’s the man behind the annual Smythesdale Arts and Music Fiesta which showcases the district’s creativity in all forms, and is the current president of local creative network Golden Plains Arts Inc.

A passionate volunteer and champion of the arts, both performing and visual, he has been a member of the strategy community reference group, contributing to the development of the area’s arts, culture and heritage strategy.

When announced as Citizen of the Year, Wemyss said he was surprised and “out of his comfort zone totally.”

“I do the work that I do because that’s what I believe is worth doing for our community,” he said.

“I like behind the scenes. I do it to create opportunities for other people, not for me, that’s not what it’s about.

“But, I guess we do need people like me who are prepared to step forward, particularly young people.”

Bannockburn resident and Regional Youth Voice program member Alisha Nurnaitis was named Young Citizen of the Year.

Ms Nurnaitis said she was honoured to be recognised amongst a “high-calibre” group of nominees.

“They’re all incredible and I know they’ll all go very far,” she said.

“I’d like to thank my parents who are incredible people who have raised me to be a wonderful, community-minded person, and I’d like to thank the community and everyone for coming out.

“I’m so thankful that I have grown up in such a wonderful community where opportunities for young people like me have been so plentiful.”

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Gavin Gamble, presented Ms Nurnaitis with her award and spoke of her impacts on the Regional Youth Voice program.

“Alisha brings a mature and considered insight to the group and is passionate about providing opportunities for young people in Golden Plains,” he said.

Senior Citizen of the Year went to Inverleigh resident Peter Trevaskis, the volunteer editor of The Leigh News, and the president of his local Senior Citizens Club.

“I’m very passionate about supporting seniors in the community,” Mr Trevaskis said.

“They are in some ways disadvantaged because they’re not in the technology age, and don’t know what’s going on, so I do all I can to assist them to get the support that they deserve by other means and technologies.

“Preparing The Leigh News is a pleasure. I enjoy it very much, and by being user friendly, the articles just keep coming in. I thank the whole community for that.”

Based in the Shire’s north, the Woady Yaloak Historical Society won the Community Impact Award. It was accepted by Jim Brown.

“A lot of us work hard and it’s nice occasionally to be recognised for the work that we do,” he said.

“I’d like to thank the committee on which our organisation exists for their enthusiasm, and the volunteers who are drawn to the Society, helping us do the work that we do.”