Acknowledged: State Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy with Katamatite Citizen of the Year Julie Ballard and Moira Shire Council chair of the panel of administrators John Tanner.
Photo by
Gabriel Garcia
Moira Shire hosted traditional Australia Day celebrations on Friday, January 26, with awards and citizenship ceremonies across the region.
Hitting the spot: Odesi Collective owner Rebecca Haynes and worker Anna Fee give out hot drinks at Katamatite’s Australia Day celebrations.
Photo by
Gabriel Garcia
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Towns across the area, from Yarrawonga to Cobram and Katamatite, put their best foot forward to celebrate the national day.
Katamatite began its ceremonies at the Police Paddock at 8am with a breakfast barbecue provided by the Katamatite Lions before the traditional awards ceremony.
Sizzling start: Katamatite Lions members put on a wonderful breakfast.
Photo by
Gabriel Garcia
In attendance was Moira Shire Council chair of the panel of administrators John Tanner and state Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy.
Katamatite Lions Club was the big winner, going home with Community Organisation of the Year, Community Event of the Year for the Katamatite Rodeo, and the Art/Culture/Environment Project of the Year for the club’s part in spearheading the Katamatite Silo Art Project.
Katamatite Lions member Julie Ballard also won the Citizen of the Year Award.
In her acceptance speech, Ms Ballard thanked the Katamatite community for welcoming her many years ago.
Celebrations in Cobram began at 10am at the Cobram Civic Centre, with the Cobram and District Pipe Band striking up a tune, while further entertainment was provided by local musician and singer Nikki Goldsworthy.
The main event of the morning celebrations was the award ceremony, with Mr Tanner on hand to present the awards alongside Rotary president John Crawford.
In the Junior Citizen of the Year category, 15-year-old Emily French took out the award, which surprised her.
Cobram Anglican Grammar School graduate Emily Orsida was named the Young Citizen of the Year.
The Community Organisation of the Year award was won by Cobram Lions.
The group was acknowledged for its contributions to the community, including its monthly market, support for Cobram youth, and advocacy for Fruit Fly programs.
Cobram Lions was also recognised for its collaboration with Cobram Community House to provide public showers for the underprivileged.
Cobram Lions president Janet Austin said she was overwhelmed by the accolade and thanked the individual who nominated them:
“It’s very humbling,” Ms Austin said.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to receive it on behalf of the club because it’s a club effort.”
Dutch Thunder Wildlife received The Arts, Culture and/or Environment Project of the Year award.
The group was acknowledged for its 24-hour, seven-day-a-week efforts to rescue sick and injured animals.
It was also recognised for leading the Save Our Koalas project.
Group founder Kylee Donkers said she was thankful for the recognition.
Vital work: Dutch Thunder Wildlife was acknowledged for the around-the-clock work it does saving sick and injured animals. Pictured are James Leonard, Mel Livery, Kylee Donkers, Emma and Josh Lewis.
Photo by
Gabriel Garcia
The Community Event of the Year Award went to Global Care Community Meals, a volunteer organisation dedicated to supporting vulnerable individuals through providing healthy meals and companionship.
Group volunteer Annette Mustica said winning the award was humbling, and the group felt privileged to be recognised in such a way.
Honoured: Global Care Community Meals volunteers Persian Ditchon and Annette Mustica were humbled by their award.
Photo by
Gabriel Garcia
The 2024 Moira Shire Citizen of the Year Award went to Kimberley Tempest, recognised for her leadership as principal of Cobram Secondary College and her instrumental role in turning the college into a powerhouse regional Victorian school.
Mr Tanner said that all the recipients of the Australia Day Awards were worthy of the recognition.
“The recipients of awards for Australia Day, I would say, really reflect the strength of this community,” he said.
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