Surf Coast Shire’s 2024 Local Legends recognised

THE Surf Coast Shire’s 2024 Local Legends were officially recognised last week at a presentation ceremony at the council’s chambers.

The event coincided with National Volunteer Week, which ran from May 20-26 and recognises the diverse passions and talents everyone brings to the act of volunteering.

In recognition of their unsung contributions to the local community, this year’s Local Legends were presented with gifts by councillors Rose Hodge and Paul Barker at the presentation event.

 

Each of the attending Local Legends – Ocean Mind volunteer Matt Benson, Anglesea teacher and volunteer Sue Shaw, Surf Coast Little Athletics founder Claire Osborn and reconciliation and inclusion advocate Hutch Hussein – also shared reflections at the ceremony about their community-focus and volunteer-driven work.

Mental health advocate Jules Haddock and Torquay Community House’s young volunteers were unable to attend the event and were represented by Arts of the Minds vice-president Sarah Molnar and Torquay Community House coordinator Prue Challis, respectively.

 

Athlete Willem Curwood was also an apology at the event.

Now in its fourth year, the shire’s Local Legends initiative recognises and celebrates people and groups whose contributions to the local community and environment help it to thrive.

Recipients are nominated by community members and assessed by a panel of council officers for the positive impacts they have made across categories that include helping others and strengthening the community and celebrating diversity.

 

Cr Rose Hodge said the event, along with National Volunteer Week, was an opportunity to acknowledge and show appreciation for those who selflessly donate their time, skills and passion to the community.

“Without volunteers, so many important projects, programs and events just wouldn’t take place, and we recognise them not only during National Volunteer Week, but year-round,” she said.

“From our Local Legends like Anglesea’s Sue Saw, that has spent decades nurturing, teaching and volunteering at the Anglesea Primary School and Anglesea Kindergarten, to Ocean Mind’s surf charity volunteer Matt Benson, who mentors young people, using surfing as a tool to help them overcome challenges, develop skills and have fun being active.

“We know recognising the time, skills and success of volunteers is important.”

 

As part of the shire’s National Volunteer Week program, a multicultural training workshop was also held in Lorne to give back to community volunteers and provide opportunities for them to learn and gain skills, while a morning tea event was held at the Winchelsea Community House to celebrate the ongoing volunteering efforts of the House’s volunteers.

For more information about this year’s Local Legends, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/LocalLegends