THEY spend their spare time working hard for their community, often without pay or thanks.
Australia Day Award nominees in the Cardinia Shire for 2012 have been announced, highlighting the work of those who sometimes go unnoticed.
Winners will be announced on Thursday.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Julie Rodgers, Cockatoo. Citizen of the Year
MANY years involvement in the organisation of the Cockatoo Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and fundraising for the RSL.
Hands-on involvement in keeping the Cockatoo RSL from closing due to poor attendances and finances.
Julie was paramount in saving a very small but extremely important venue in the community which provides social engagement and networking for members and associate members.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Jeff Latter, Emerald. Citizen of the Year
THIS hardworking, valuable member of the Emerald community has been involved with the scouts and a range of conservation groups. He is always willing to share is expertise and knowledge.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Kath Halvy, Bunyip,
Citizen of the Year
KATH has been an active volunteer in the Bunyip area for most of her adult life. She is a life member, treasurer/secretary of the Bunyip and Agricultural Society. She is also a member of the Bunyip Netball club and has also provided volunteer assistance to a variety of community groups in Bunyip.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Ross Jephcott, Pakenham, Citizen of the Year
ROSS is active in a number of community organisations they include the Upper Beaconsfield conservation group, the electric line clearance consultative committee, water watch with Melbourne water and the Quarry Impact Committee. Ross was the driving force in the QI which resulted in the successful creation of parkland in Officer.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Gavan Keane, Lang Lang, Citizen of the Year
MEMBER of Lang Lang Cert and paramedic. Participates with talks and training or demonstrations for schools, community groups etc.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Gwenda Woff, KooWeeRup, Citizen of the Year
HAS been an active volunteer in a range of groups all her adult life. Groups she has been actively involved in Kooweerup are the kindergarten, college, scouts, township, RSL, Auskick and has helped with many other groups.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Michael Bishop, Pakenham. Senior Citizen of the Year
MICHAEL has been a committed volunteer in the Pakenham area for many years. He was a founding member of the Yakkerboo Festival and is a volunteer board member for Pakenham Aged care, Outlook and the Pakenham Show. He was a member of the local CFA rising to the rank of Captain.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Don Horsburgh, Lang Lang. Senior Citizen of the Year
DON is a volunteer on a range of Committees in Lang Lang. They include Lang Lang CERT, the memorial hall, cemetery and men’s shed. Don is always willing to assist the community when asked. He does all the garden maintenance at the Lang Lang Church.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Janet McKay, KooWeeRup. Senior Citizen of the Year
JANET has for many years been a willing helper in the Kooweerup community. Putting her many skills such as knitting, sewing, baking to work she has help with many groups in fundraising and providing catering for events. Although she is in ill health she is still an active volunteer in the Kooweerup township.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Les Reader, Pakenham. Senior Citizen of the Year
LES Reader has been a member of the Beaconsfield Progress Association for eight years, President for the last four. Les is a church councillor and on the Committee of Management of the Probus Club. He has been a strong advocate on a range of issues that could affect the Beaconsfield community, the most recent by leading the objections to the Pink Hills Pokies VCAT application.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Beryl Bartacek, Emerald Senior Citizen of the Year
BERYL has been an volunteer to a range of groups in Emerald for 15 years. She is a volunteer with the Emerald Museum and Nobelius Heritage Park, keeping the museum open twice a week by nominating herself to be on duty every week and by assisting with the organisation of special community events like the recent celebration of the Centenary of the birth of Gus Ryberg.
As a former school teacher she volunteer her time to provide tutoring to secondary college students. She is an active member of the Emerald U3A and the Uniting church.
