BREAKING: Moorabool Citizen of the Year announced

Moorabool Shire Council has announced their 2020 Citizen of the Year – John Spain, in the lead up to the 2020 Australia Day awards

Citizen of the Year 2020 – John Spain

“John has been instrumental in community development and strengthening for many years. As a former Moorabool Shire Councillor he has been active throughout the Moorabool community, particularly in arts and culture.

John has held key positions on the Bacchus Marsh Public Hall Committee, Bacchus Marsh Arts Council, Bacchus Marsh Gallery, The Historical Society, Bacchus Marsh Tracks and Trails, the Men’s Shed, U3A and the photographic society.

John’s contribution to the Bacchus Marsh Public Hall Committee resulted in significant upgrades to the kitchen and has increased the capacity, use and functionality of the Shire Hall. John has also actively sought and lobbied for funding for the Bacchus Marsh Men’s Shed which resulted in an expansion of their Bacchus Marsh operations and redevelopment of the carports into useable machinery workshops.

He was instrumental in the foundation of the Bacchus Marsh Art Gallery and is a former treasurer of the Gallery and is currently the Secretary.

John was a significant contributor for the Moorabool Tracks and Trails Committee and has also been active in the Moorabool Heritage Committee, where he has actively fought to maintain and retain our community’s heritage buildings.

John has been a strong advocate for the U3A group which provides adult education and the continued growing of our community.

John’s work within the community led him to successfully run for Council where he served with integrity, honesty and respect as a Moorabool Shire Councillor for the period 2012 to 2016. As a Councillor, John was very influential in developing strategic documents that will ensure that Moorabool’s growth will be managed appropriately.

John is a person of vision who has promoted many areas in the Shire with special attention to Moorabool’s heritage, tracks and trails and the arts sector.”

Other award recipients include:

·Community Event of the Year – Bacchus Marsh Flower & Garden Show

·Young Citizen of the Year – Jacinta Guirguis

·Citizen of the Year – John Spain

·Mayoral Award – David Lambrick

Moorabool Shire Council will present the 2020 Australia Day Award Recipients at the Australia Day Ceremony being held on Sunday 26 January, 2020 in Ballan from 8am for breakfast, followed by the ceremony.