Nominations open for shire’s Australia Day Awards

NOMINATIONS are open to recognise the valuable contribution made by volunteers in the Surf Coast Shire through the council’s Australia Day Awards.

People can help identify and celebrate the Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Event of the Year by making nominations before November 12.

Shire mayor David Bell urged people to make time to recognise the contributions of worthy individuals and groups.

“Many of us would know someone we feel deserves special recognition for their contributions to the community.

“These role models and unsung heroes walk, work and volunteer beside us every day. Don’t put it off any further; make this the year that you put someone forward for this special honour.

“Areas of contribution can range from community service to the arts, sports or environment.”

Award recipients and nominees will be named at Lions Club Australia Day events at Anglesea and Torquay.

Last year’s honours went to Citizen of the Year Julie Stevens, for work including volunteering at Torquay Community House, Surf Coast Repair Cafe, Torquay Relay for Life, Torquay Theatre Troupe, Surf Coast Life Activities Club, and with refugee organisations.

The Young Citizen recipient was Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club and Torquay Marine Rescue Service volunteer Dan Smith.

The Event of the Year was Lorne Pier to Pub swim which recorded a capacity field of 5,000 and ran on the contributions of 700 volunteers.

Recipients in each category spoke of pride in their recognition, but quickly deflected attention to contributors around them.

“It was lovely to have such a large event that relies on volunteers recognised on the Surf Coast,” Lorne Surf Life Saving Club vice-president Felicity Koch said. “It was a pretty proud moment.”

Nominees will be notified by late November.

The Lions club Australia Day gatherings will be in Anglesea from 8am beside the Anglesea River, near the Visitor Information Centre, and in Torquay from 10am at the Taylor Park rotunda at The Esplanade.

For more details of the awards and a new easy-to-use nomination form, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/ausday.