Mount Alexander Shire Council is pleased to announce the well-deserving recipients of this year’s Australia Day Awards. The awards were presented at a community event in Castlemaine today.
This year’s winners of the Mount Alexander Shire Australia Day Awards are:
• Citizen of the Year – Ian Gallagher
• Senior Citizen of the Year – Lorraine le Plastrier
• Young Citizen of the Year – Jade Bujeya
• Community Event of the Year – The Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show.
Mayor of Mount Alexander Shire Tony Cordy congratulated the winners and nominees for their work.
“On behalf of the community and my fellow Councillors I thank each of you for your incredible contribution to our shire,” said Mayor Cordy.
“Ian, Lorraine and Jade, along with the organisers of the Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show, demonstrate the extraordinary difference that individuals can make to our community,” he said.
“Over many years they have each given their time and skills to help make our shire a better place to live, work and visit.
“Thank you for your commitment to our community. Your efforts are highly valued and widely appreciated.”
Along with presentation of the awards, four people took the pledge to become Australian citizens at the Australia Day - Survival Day community event. Entertainment was provided by the Castlemaine Highland Pipe Band and the Rotary Club of Castlemaine provided a free BBQ lunch.
Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Uncle Rick Nelson performed a Welcome to Country at the community event. They began the morning with a Survival Day dawn smoking ceremony at Leanganook (Mount Alexander), which was livestreamed via YouTube.
“The dawn smoking ceremony was planned in partnership with our local Indigenous community to provide a more inclusive and holistic approach to Australia Day – Survival Day,” said Mayor Cordy.
“January 26 can be a day of mixed feelings for many members of our community. It is a day to celebrate our nation’s history, diversity and achievements while recognising the impact on our First Nations people,” he said.
“The dawn ceremony was an opportunity for education and healing, and also allowed our broader community to be part of the Dja Dja Wurrung culture. By working in partnership with our local First Nations community, we hope the day provided an opportunity for unity rather than division within the community.
The moving ceremony was live-broadcast on Council’s YouTube channel. It is available to watch online, along with coverage of the community event.
“Our Australia Day - Survival Day activities were a unifying boost after what has been a very challenging year,” said Mayor Cordy.
“Thank you to the many people who worked hard to coordinate the activities and bring the day together.
“If you missed the events I encourage you to take a look at the coverage on Council’s YouTube channel.”
For more information on the winners and links to the videos visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/AustraliaDay.
Council received two grants from the National Australia Day Council to support the local events.