Long time volunteer honoured at community event

THE Nelson Australia Day event was organised by members of the Nelson Tennis Club, Men’s and Women’s Shed with around 220 attending the breakfast including local residents, visitors, families and friends.

With perfect weather on the banks of the Glenelg River the Australian Flag was raised and the national anthem was part of the ceremony, that also included the presentation of the 2025 Nelson Citizen of the Year Award to Max Lomas.

Max has been a valued member of the Nelson community for more than 55 years, moving to the area in 1971 and later settling east of Nelson in 1980.

Since then, Max has given his time, energy, and skills to support the town and its people.

In the early 1970s, Max served for many years on the Nelson School Committee, during what was a difficult time for the school with Max working hard with others to keep it running.

He helped apply for grants and supported the building of a playground and better facilities.

Max also helped form the Nelson Lions Club in the 1970s and later served as its President.

The Lions Club played a key role in building the Community Centre, now known as the Nelson Information Centre.

He also served on the Nelson Progress Association committee, helping keep the community informed, engaged, and united.

Max founded the Nelson Riding Club, which grew to more than 40 members, organising trail rides and helping clean and restore the amphitheatre, where show jumping and social gatherings were held.

He assisted National Parks in measuring the depth of the Glenelg River from Dartmoor to Nelson, helped move and build the outdoor stage at Karnkendi, and worked with archaeologists to gather and date pippy shells from shell middens Lake Bung Bung (now Lake Mombeong).

As Nelson grew, Max often helped new residents clear land for building, supported local events and donated money to help keep them going and as a long time member of the tennis club he helped maintain the courts and still assists with tasks such as filling water tanks when needed.

As a farmer, Max has worked hard to protect livestock, walking long distances at all hours to control foxes and help neighbouring farmers during lambing season.

More recently, Max represented the community by making a submission opposing the proposed Kentbruck Green Power Hub, raising concerns about fire safety and environmental impacts.

Arguably, Max’s greatest contribution has been his service with the Nelson CFA.

For nearly 50 years, starting at just 16 years of age, he has served as a member, often as Captain or Lieutenant, guiding crews through numerous fires, working closely with aviation services, DELWP and neighbouring brigades to protect lives, property, and the environment.

His knowledge of the local area has been vital during fires and emergencies

Max has also attended many road accidents — often the first on the scene.

He has shielded others from the trauma of these events, quietly carrying the emotional burden himself and his handling of police, SES, and community members has always been exemplary, and the time he has committed to both the immediate response and the difficult cleanup has been immense.

Quiet, dependable, and always willing to help, Max Lomas has given a lifetime of service to Nelson and his contribution to the safety, wellbeing, and strength of the community makes him a very deserving recipient of the Nelson Citizenship Award.