Shire’s achievers celebrated

THE efforts of unsung heroes based in the municipality were highlighted earlier this week with the winners of the Golden Plains Shire Council Community Awards 2023 revealed.

The recipients among the awards’ four categories were announced during a presentation at Haddon Community Learning Centre on Tuesday afternoon following 11 individual and six group nominations.

Lin Hocking-Turnbull from Smythesdale was named Citizen of the Year for more than two decades of volunteering and event organising.

She said she was shocked and humbled to receive the recognition.

“I’m very thrilled, and it’s nice to think someone out there appreciates the work you put in,” she said.

“Probably from about 2005, we started decorating the streets and doing the Christmas decorations with a bit of a barbecue and carols. Then we got onto Anzac Day and it’s spread from there.

“I’ve been very lucky to live where I do, and I think if you’re lucky like that, you’ve got to put back in, that’s only fair.”

The Young Citizen of the Year award went to Cape Clear’s Caitlyn Cadby, who last year took part in the Golden Plains Shire’s Young Women’s Leadership Program while completing year 12.

She said the program was a worthwhile experience and that it was great to see her contributions to the initiative, including a speech on women in sports, were acknowledged.

“I heard about this through the Youth Activation Committee,” she said. “We learned about topics that affect young women and it was adapted to the context of Golden Plain Shire.

“I got to meet young people from the Shire with different backgrounds and participate in fun excursions like the wildlife park and we also had the opportunity to do our first aid certificate as well.”

Meredith Tennis Club president Maddy McColl took home the Community Impact Award for her efforts in reviving the group in 2019 after it lay dormant for a decade.

The sole individual nominee amongst an intake of community groups, she said the award to her was the result of a team effort.

“I couldn’t have done it without all the support from my club,” she said. “So, it’s not just me, it’s everyone involved.

“There were about five key contributors to getting the club running again. Our first season we had four teams and now we have 50 kids coaching which is phenomenal for a small town like Meredith.”

The Senior Citizen of the Year award went to Bannockburn artist Rosslyn Bosnar, who was absent from the presentation, for her creative efforts including helping to run the Golden Plains Arts Trail, and helming the Bannockburn and District Art Group.