Council presents shire-wide Australia Day Awards which focus on individuals and events that have made a significant contribution to the region.
Australia Day Awards 2021
Winners of the East Gippsland Australia Day Awards were announced by East Gippsland Shire Council at a civic ceremony in Sarsfield on Thursday evening January 21.
The awards recognise community service and achievement. Recipients are chosen based on nominations put forward by residents from across the shire.
The 2021 Citizen of the Year is Leo op den Brouw of Mallacoota and Young Citizen of the Year is James Bush of Bairnsdale. Winner of Community Event of the Year is Paynesville Classic Boat Rally.
As well as announcing the 2021 East Gippsland Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year, the evening was also an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of communities to support each other and work on their recovery from the bushfires.
Details of how to nominate for the 2022 awards will be published here when available.
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Australia Day Awards 2021 recipients
Watch the 2021 Australia Day Awards.
East Gippsland Citizen of the Year 2021
Leo op den Brouw
East Gippsland Young Citizen of the Year 2021
James Bush
East Gippsland Community Event of the Year 2021
Paynesville Classic Boat Rally
Previous Award Recipients (since 2003)
East Gippsland Citizen of the Year
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
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
East Gippsland Community Event of the Year
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
26ers Club
The 26ers Club, run by the Australia Day Committee Victoria, is open to all Australians born on January 26. Membership is free and includes a birthday card and lapel pin every year from the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Register by completing this 26ers Club form.