Australia Day Awards 2023

More than 150 people attended this year's East Gippsland Shire Council Australia Day Awards at Newlands Arm Community Centre on Saturday 21 January.

You can watch a recording of the ceremony on our YouTube channel.

This year's recipients are:

Citizen of the Year - Simon Hof

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Simon has been helping Sarsfield’s recovery from the Black Summer bushfires.

As part of the Sarsfield Community Association, Simon has led the committee with enthusiasm and dedication to obtain the best future for Sarsfield.

He has been passionate in driving surveys to find out what was important to the wider community as he always advocates the role of the committee is to serve the community.

Simon has inspired many people to step up into leadership positions on the committee.

He inspired the rest of the committee to keep fighting when a grant application for a new hall, playground, and community space was denied on a technicality.

He kept the committee positive and drove public awareness of the issue – to the point the decision was reversed.

Simon has been president of the Sarsfield Community Association for two years and is also president of the Sarsfield CFA.

Nominees:

• Val Asmus
• Garry Ball
• Ann and Stan Barker
• Amanda Bodinnar
• Trevor Clues
• Marion Dawson
• Tarsha Dixon
• Ryan Findley
• Tracey Le Maitre
• Rodney O’Connell
• Maureen Webb

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Young Citizen of the Year - Tillyrose Hambling

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Tillyrose is a fundraising dynamo. She is a fundraising leader for her school and has raised funds for multiple foundations throughout her young life.

Tillyrose was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age seven. When she was nine, she raised $1500 for charity by cutting off her waist-length hair. The hair was used to make wigs for sick children.

Taking part in STEPtember, Tillyrose and her family raised $3000 for a cerebral palsy charity.

The MS Readathon has also benefited from Tillyrose’s charitable endeavours – with almost $2000 raised over three years.

Tillyrose has been an active member of Girl Guides for seven years and is working towards her Junior BP Badge, which takes its name from Lord Baden-Powell and the guides’ motto of Be Prepared.

Tillyrose is an exceptional young woman who has stayed positive and supportive of others despite her own challenges.

Nominees:

• Morgan Chester
• Olivia Lay
• Ava Aly-Mehlert

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Community Event of the Year - National Tree Day

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Bairnsdale’s National Tree Day event is organised by Bairnsdale Urban Landcare Group. Each year, the group works with the Bairnsdale Scout Group and the community to educate and provide a hands-on opportunity for the public, especially children and youth, to revegetate and maintain the Mitchell River Walking Track.

The event has demonstrated excellence in drawing together a diverse range of people from the community.

An annual event over the past decade, its ongoing legacy is the natural environment that has been created as a consequence of the mass-planting events.

This, in turn, has created a wonderful outdoor venue for recreation and leisure.

Nominees:

• Metung Fun Run
• Outer East Gippsland Youth Fest

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Our 2023 Australia Day Ambassador 

Helen Martin – a long-time resident of East Gippsland and Director of the East Gippsland Community Foundation – joined us at the Australia Day Awards to talk about service to community.

As well as being an active volunteer with the Country Fire Authority and Red Cross Emergency Services, Helen has held senior positions in government which included work with community recovery from disasters.  

The Black Summer bushfires gave Helen a clear view of the impacts of natural disasters on individuals, communities and the environment. Helen is a graduate of the Gippsland Community Leadership Program and is strongly committed to enhancing the East Gippsland Community Foundation’s role in assisting recovery and building resilience. 

Helen was also a member of the Gippsland Coastal Board from 2006 and chair between 2009 to 2012. She was also a member of several state government advisory councils.

“I feel honoured to be selected as East Gippsland’s Australia Day Awards Ambassador. These awards are a true reflection of the community spirit and acknowledge the local people who go above and beyond for their community,” Helen said. 

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Australia Day Awards at Newlands Arm

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