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Citizen of the Year 2022 - Ann and Stan Barker

‍Ann and Stan Barker, of Lakes Entrance, were announced as Citizen of the Year for their extensive volunteer work.
Founders of the Bushfire Recovery Project, Ann and Stan have potted over 6,000native plants and trees and distributed across the East Gippsland region to those affected by the bushfires.

This hard-working duo has contributed to the restoration of native flora in East Gippsland and have had a positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of those affected by the bushfires.

As members of the Australian Native Plants Society and Lakes Entrance Garden Club, Ann and Stan have contributed to community life for many years in a voluntary capacity, including opening their own garden.

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Nominees: David Appleton, Peta Bassett, Laurel Calvert, Paul Carroll, Debbie Carruthers, Barbara Dodd, Angela Dunkley, Norm Elliott, Claire-Lise Gamble, Brodie Gaudion, Lorna King, Judy Marsden, Cathy McLellan, David McCoy, Peter Neal, Elaine Newcomen, Ronald Edwards Pepper, Ula Sheather, Peter Sindrey, Amber Wade, Robert Wright.

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Young Citizen of the Year 2022 - Paris Davis

‍Paris Davis has been volunteering as the Youth Leader for Gipps Youth Club at Orbost for the past four years.
Paris goes over and above to young people to participate in health and lifestyle programs and activities to benefit their health and wellbeing.
Paris is an inspiration to the community, assisting with raising funds for the Youth Club to support social activities for the young people and their families.  

Nominees: Damen Bassett, Brydie Bourke, Chloe Peters.

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Community Event of the Year 2022 - East Gippsland Winter Festival

The inaugural East Gippsland Winter Festival was a series of community events including lantern parades, laneway street food nights and food van feasts with live entertainment, projections, art and light installations, bonfire nights, concerts, exhibitions, ticketed dinners, performances, workshops and tours across the region.
It brought the community together and encouraged collaboration. The entire festival was designed around promoting the region - not one individual event. This included promotion of towns right across East Gippsland as well as local restaurants, wineries, breweries, chefs, producers, studios and galleries, and tourism operators.  

Organisers collaborated and involved over 50local businesses and sole traders and 200 local community members with the festival in a volunteer capacity.

Nominees: 7 Generations Art Mural, Colour Ya World Bairnsdale, Landcare Sustainability Expo (Orbost Show), The Sandhill Ashes, Winter Festival Lantern Parade (Orbost).‍

East Gippsland Citizen of the Year

2022 - Ann and Stan Barker

2021 - Leo op den Brouw

2020 - Blake Hollonds

2019 - June Drake

2018 - Gerry Ciaverella  

2017 - Richard Rijs

2016 - Darryl Crowley

2015 - Alan Stuart

2014 - Ronda Manhire

2013 - Judith Williams and John Armit

2012 - Jeff Wilson

2011 - Kristine Cordery

2010 - Ian Clues

2009 - Anne Cross

2008 - David Lewien

2007 - Dr David Campbell

2006 - Aunty Cath Solomon

2005 - Olive Hartley

2004 - Beth Allen

2003 - Alan 'Doc' Carpenter

East Gippsland Young Citizen of the Year

2022 - Paris Davis

2021 - James Bush

2020 - Annie Rogers

2019 - Torin Troy

2018 - Joint winners Aislin Jones and Jack Peterson  

2017 - Emiliqua (Emi) East

2016 - Carly Fitzgerald

2015 - Jessica Woodward

2014 - Elizabeth Butler

2013 - Jack Wickfeldt

2012 - Chloe Scott

2011 - William Anderson

2010 - Bailey Thomson

2009 - Matt Furphy

2008 - Cassie Richards

2007 - Erika Lind

2006 - Kara Kendell

2005 - Anna Bassett

2004 - Hamish Nelson

2003 - Aimee Burslem

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East Gippsland Community Event of the Year

2022 - East Gippsland Winter Festival

2021 - Paynesville Classic Boat Rally

2020 - Joint winners 100th Orbost Uniting Church Annual Flower Show and Paynesville Music Festival

2019 - Cann River Volunteer Appreciation Day  

2018 - Mallacoota Winter ‘SALTSTICE’ Youth Festival  

2017 - Omeo Golf Club RV Muster

2016 - Cooper's Winter Wonderland Masquerade Ball

2015 - Orbost Annual Poker Run

2014 - Mallacoota Kindergarten Fun Run

2013 - Seafarers Multicultural Festival

2012 - Junior and Senior Victorian Surf Lifesaving State Championships

2011 - Convoy for Kids

2010 - Seldom Seen Arts Trail

2009 - 2008 Junior Surf Life Saving Championships

2008 - Mount Nowa Nowa Challenge Run

2007 - Twin Rivers Bream Classic

2006 - Ensay Memorial Car Run

2005 - VAYSAR (Victorian Aboriginal Youth Sport and Recreation) Senior Football and Netball Carnivals

2004 - Bruthen Blues Bash

2003 - Veiling on McKillops Bridge

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Are you a Victorian born on 26 January? Then you’re a 26er!
Join the Australia Day Committee exclusive 26er club. Membership is free and you can join at any time by emailing: austday@dpc.vic.gov.au
Members of Victoria's 26er club are sent a birthday card and lapel pin for Australia Day each year.
For more information about the 26er club, visit 26ers Club.

We are proud to provide funding support to these community events that were held on Australia Day:

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Bairnsdale
‍Time: 7.30 – 10.00 am
Location: Rotunda, Main Street Gardens
Contact: Bairnsdale Classic Car Club

Bruthen
Time: 8.30 – 10.30 am
Location: Central Reservation, Main Street
Contact: Bruthen Lions Club

Cann River
Time: 8.00 – 10.00 am
Location: Mick Baum Park
Contact: Cann River Community Centre

Swan Reach
Time: 10.30 – 12.00 pm
Location: Swan Reach Primary School
Contact: Twin Rivers Lions Club

‍Lindenow
Time: 7.30 – 10.00 am
Location: Lindenow Hall
Contact: Lindenow Lions Club

Omeo
Time: 8.30 – 12.30 pm
Location: Court House Gardens
Contact: Omeoshire Lions Club‍

Orbost
Time: 7.30 – 10.00 am
Location: Forest Park
Contact: Rotary Club of Orbost