WARRNAMBOOL’S Citizen of the Year Vicki Jellie says she is merely the face of the campaign to secure funding for a south-west based cancer centre.
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“I’ve always said I just put my hand up to start this, but it’s always been about the community,” Ms Jellie said
“This award is for Peter and all the other Peters in the community who have travelled that long road.”
Ms Jellie received the city council’s top accolade yesterday in the botanic gardens.
She was nominated for the award after volunteering hundreds of hours to campaign governments to secure state and federal funding and then to raise $5 million.
She said she was humbled and accepted the award on behalf of all who supported Peter’s Project.
“It’s lovely recognition and it’s for the whole community. They are the ones who got behind us and helped make the centre a reality,” Ms Jellie said.
“There are so many causes in our community that we should all support.
“People seemed to get behind this one and I think the reason is cancer has touched everyone in some way.
“In the coming months the walls will start to go up at the centre and people will be able to see what their dollar has achieved.”
Young Citizen of the Year Sam Maloney said he too was humbled to be singled out.
Mr Maloney, 21, works as a project volunteer on the Be Heard project, in partnership with Brophy Family and Youth Services, 3WAY FM and SYN Radio project, which helps give young people a voice in their community.
“That’s a very powerful thing,” he said. “We produce seven-and-a-half hours of live radio each week which is broadcast on 3WAY and online through SYN. There is also an opportunity to use SYN for other web content.”
Mr Maloney is also involved in training and mentoring other young people with an interest in radio.
“I think the best thing about the program is it gives young people something to do. It creates options. Not everyone is into sport, the more we can offer the better.”
The Rotary Club of East Warrnambool’s annual Hole-in-One Competition was recognised as community event of the year.
Club president Terry Baker said the outstanding success and growth of the event over the past four years had helped raised thousands of extra dollars for local and international causes. “This year we will be able to increase our commitment to the Warrnambool Home Hospice campaign,” he said.
Six local achievement awards were also presented.
Local history preservation campaigner Julie Eagles, F Project and Artery driving force Megan Nicolson, breast cancer survivor and support worker Ann Krause, volunteer firefighter Wayne Rooke, disability rights advocate Lorraine de Kok and volunteer Kaye Slater were all recognised for their efforts.
Warrnambool City Council Australia Day Award Winners: council citations.
Citizen of the Year: Vicki Jellie
After her husband, Peter, passed away from oesophageal cancer in 2008, Vicki has dedicated her time to bringing radiotherapy to Warrnambool so south-west Victorian and south-east South Australian residents can receive cancer treatment closer to home.
After securing a $15 million contribution from the Victorian government and $10 million from the Federal government, Ms Jellie and her committee were tasked with raising $5 million from the community - a goal they achieved in just nine months.
Vicki inspired a whole community to work together for the common goal, the benefits of which will be felt for generations.
Young Citizen of the Year: Sam Maloney
Sam began hosting a local radio show when he was in year 9 and has joined the "Be Heard" project as a volunteer at 3WAY in partnership with SYN Radio.
The project assists young people to be creators of media and not just consumers. The "Be Heard" and his employment with Brophy Youth Services,
Sam trains and mentors other young people with an interest in radio.
He shines a light on various youth issues and engages with a wide range of young people and organisations.
Community Event of The Year: Roatary Club of East Warrnambool Hole-in-One Comepetition.
The Rotary Club of Warrnambool East has been holding the Hole in One Competition from Boxing Day to Australia Day at the Warrnambool foreshore for nine years.
The competition came alive about four years ago when ACE Radio agreed to a very generous sponsorship package for advertising that the Club could put to Warrnambool and District businesses.
From that moment on, participation rates of golfers seeking to win the major prize sky-rocketed and it became an event that captured the imagination of locals and campers and everyone who was spending summer in our city.
Local Achiever Awards:
Julie Eagles: Julie has been a tireless campaigner for many years to recognise and preserve the city's built and social heritage, and assisted in critical decision-making and planning processes around this heritage. She has also been a vocal spokesperson on heritage issues, leading to a greater understanding within the community of the importance of heritage and its place in our city.
As a key player in the Warrnambool Heritage Group, Julie has helped protect and preserve our irreplaceable built and social heritage for the enjoyment of the current community and for generations to come.
Ann Krause: Ann has made an outstanding contribution to the Warrnambool and surrounding district through her participation and promotion of a breast cancer support group, also through her fund and awareness-raising of breast cancer.
Her roles include regional community liaison officer for Breast Cancer Network Australia, co-ordinator of the Warrnambool Social Breast Cancer Support Group and the founder and president of the Warrnambool South C Dragons women's paddling group.
As a breast cancer survivor herself, Ann provides daily inspiration in the face of a terrible disease and has helped foster an active support group that provides more than "coffee and cake".
Megan Nicolson: Megan is one of the driving forces behind the huge success of the F Project and The Artery. Since its inception in 2008, the F Project has helped encourage and support art and artists in Warrnambool.
Megan has been consistently involved on the board, while also volunteering her services for just about every event the F Project has run, including the popular Hidden Histories Laneway Festival.
The F Project opened The Artery in 2013 which is a hub for the local arts scene, providing local artists with a gallery and work space on Timor Street.
Wayne Rooke: Wayne is the First Lieutenant of the Warrnambool Fire Brigade has been a volunteer firefighter and member of the Warrnambool brigade since 1992.
Wayne's role as First Lieutenant means that he is the leader of the volunteers at the brigade and is elected by his peers. Wayne is a great role model and epitomises what it means to be a firefighting volunteer in Warrnambool where he responds to the majority off incidents.
He has also achieved many leadership qualifications in his time including Crew Leader Bushfire, Crew Leader Structure Fire and is a qualified district fire investigator.
Kaye Slater: Kaye Slater was the inaugural president of the Inner Wheel Club of Warrnambool. Inner Wheel is an international women's organisation active in 103 countries. Clubs are based on principles of friendship, community service and International Understanding.
Kaye has been involved throughout her teen and adult life as a volunteer raising fund for sporting ventures and charities.Kaye commenced her fundraising, as a teenager, with the Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club serving in the canteen. Kaye played tennis for many years competing (and winning) in club and district competitions. She has also been
Lorraine de Kok - Lorraine has been a disability advocate for more than two decades. The advocacy done on behalf of her son, Nathan, has generated a broad awareness of and better outcomes for, those with disabilities. She has lobbied for all-ability access to playgrounds and other civic areas along with better access to public transport.