<\/p>\n
Behind the scenes support<\/strong><\/p>\n Dave and Cheryl Thomas were chosen as local heroes for their exemplary customer service and their generosity to the Heathcote Football Netball Club.<\/p>\n The Thomases have now retired after more than 30 years at the helm of their stock and feed store, Heathcote Rural Merchandise.<\/p>\n Dave Thomas said the nomination came out of left field.<\/p>\n \u201cWe’re still in a little bit of shock about it because you think of other people who have done things rather than yourself,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Mr Thomas supplied free bottled gas to the Saints for several years until natural piped gas became available at the club rooms more recently.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just something that happened along the way without being official,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The couple were also renowned for remembering details about individual animal needs, and for pampering their non-human customers.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery dog that came into the shop got a biscuit,\u201d Cheryl Thomas said. \u201cThey remembered; they\u2019d be in the back of the car waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Costerfield connections<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Brien Connolly was acknowledged as a local hero for his work in the Costerfield community.<\/p>\n He is a member of several committees including Mandalay\u2019s Community Reference sub-committee and Environmental Review committee, the Costerfield Hall committee, and the Australian Plant Society Heathcote committee.<\/p>\n Advance Heathcote secretary Kerstin Brauns said Mr Connolly went above and beyond the title of good neighbour.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has been known to transport people to appointments at the hospital, look after people\u2019s properties while they are away, help with fire prevention maintenance and he keeps the community informed of important information and services,\u201d Ms Brauns said.<\/p>\n \u201cBrien is a generous but modest person, and the Costerfield community is grateful for his support.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Connolly said he didn\u2019t do anything that was particularly extraordinary.<\/p>\n \u201cI do things in our local community,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re out in Costerfield, we\u2019ve got a bit of an aging community and there are a lot of single people.<\/p>\n \u201cI just do what you should do as a human being.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Building community foundations<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Andrew Arundell was recognised as a local hero for his assistance to many of the district\u2019s not-for-profit groups.<\/p>\n Mr Arundell had an integral role in setting up Bunbunarik Children\u2019s Hub and is treasurer for the O\u2019Keefe 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.<\/p>\n He also helps several organisations in Bendigo where he lives and works.<\/p>\n He said it was nice to be recognised for giving up his time.<\/p>\n \u201cI helped with the Heathcote Community Games and then the O’Keefe Marathon,\u201d he said. \u201cThe community support for those type of events blows me away.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s nice to be bringing those sorts of things to town and giving the kids something.\u201d<\/p>\n Advance Heathcote secretary Kerstin Brauns said Mr Arundell balanced his community projects with a full-time job and a multitude of family commitments.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is the quiet achiever behind the scenes, setting up local not-for-profit groups for future financial success,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" THE district\u2019s outstanding local heroes were acknowledged at the recent Advance Heathcote annual general meeting. There were organisation-wide awards for Heathcote\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2023\/04\/DSC_0540-crop-300x201.jpg\")
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