Local heroes celebrated

THE district’s outstanding local heroes were acknowledged at the recent Advance Heathcote annual general meeting.

There were organisation-wide awards for Heathcote’s health and emergency services, as well as three individual awards.

This week the McIvor Times celebrates the individuals who go above and beyond.

Behind the scenes support

Dave and Cheryl Thomas were chosen as local heroes for their exemplary customer service and their generosity to the Heathcote Football Netball Club.

The Thomases have now retired after more than 30 years at the helm of their stock and feed store, Heathcote Rural Merchandise.

Dave Thomas said the nomination came out of left field.

“We’re still in a little bit of shock about it because you think of other people who have done things rather than yourself,” he said.

Mr Thomas supplied free bottled gas to the Saints for several years until natural piped gas became available at the club rooms more recently.

“It’s just something that happened along the way without being official,” he said.

The couple were also renowned for remembering details about individual animal needs, and for pampering their non-human customers.

“Every dog that came into the shop got a biscuit,” Cheryl Thomas said. “They remembered; they’d be in the back of the car waiting.”

Costerfield connections

Brien Connolly was acknowledged as a local hero for his work in the Costerfield community.

He is a member of several committees including Mandalay’s Community Reference sub-committee and Environmental Review committee, the Costerfield Hall committee, and the Australian Plant Society Heathcote committee.

Advance Heathcote secretary Kerstin Brauns said Mr Connolly went above and beyond the title of good neighbour.

“He has been known to transport people to appointments at the hospital, look after people’s properties while they are away, help with fire prevention maintenance and he keeps the community informed of important information and services,” Ms Brauns said.

“Brien is a generous but modest person, and the Costerfield community is grateful for his support.”

Mr Connolly said he didn’t do anything that was particularly extraordinary.

“I do things in our local community,” he said. “We’re out in Costerfield, we’ve got a bit of an aging community and there are a lot of single people.

“I just do what you should do as a human being.”

Building community foundations

Andrew Arundell was recognised as a local hero for his assistance to many of the district’s not-for-profit groups.

Mr Arundell had an integral role in setting up Bunbunarik Children’s Hub and is treasurer for the O’Keefe Challenge, the Heathcote Dementia Alliance and Care Villas Australia, as well as providing financial advice and support to a number of other Heathcote-based groups.

He also helps several organisations in Bendigo where he lives and works.

He said it was nice to be recognised for giving up his time.

“I helped with the Heathcote Community Games and then the O’Keefe Marathon,” he said. “The community support for those type of events blows me away.

“It’s nice to be bringing those sorts of things to town and giving the kids something.”

Advance Heathcote secretary Kerstin Brauns said Mr Arundell balanced his community projects with a full-time job and a multitude of family commitments.

“He is the quiet achiever behind the scenes, setting up local not-for-profit groups for future financial success,” she said.