Terang’s John Keane has been crowned Corangamite Shire’s citizen of the year at its Australia Day ceremony in Timboon.
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Mr Keane, a former Hampden Shire councillor, is a member of a wide variety of community groups, including the Terang Hospital Board, Terang Uniting Church Council, Terang Public Park Trustees, Terang Lions Club and Terang Country Music Committee.
Mr Keane said he saw the award as recognition for volunteers across the community.
“I’m representing them by accepting this award,” he said.
“Any contribution I have made has been a sense of gratitude for being part of a close-knit rural community.”
The shire’s young citizen of the year is Lauren McIlveen, from Camperdown, and Timboon’s Santa in the Street celebration was awarded community event of the year.
Lauren is involved in the Country Education Project and is also a youth councillor and on the steering committee for the We Know Your Name, But Not Your Story project. She has gained the highest award for Guiding – the BP award – and attained her silver Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Lauren is also a member of the Camperdown Hospital Auxiliary, a Little Athletics coach and a volunteer at Sunnyside.
Although it was cancelled in 2017 due to bad weather, Timboon Santa in the Street won community event of the year for its 2016 event.
The main street is closed for the event which aims is to bring the Timboon community and surrounding areas together to celebrate Christmas. There are different rides for all ages, music and a variety of food stalls.
Corangamite Shire Mayor Jo Beard congratulated all of the winners and nominees.
“John, Lauren and the Timboon Santa in the Street organisers, as well as all the other nominees, have shown great passion for our local community and are outstanding examples of the Aussie spirit,” she said.
“The Corangamite residents who we recognise today really sum up the community spirit that has made our shire and our nation what they are today.”
Athletics star Steve Moneghetti delivered the keynote speech in his second year as Australia Day Ambassador for Corangamite. Five new Australians also received citizenship at the Timboon celebrations.
Achievement Awards were awarded to:
- Julie Hawkins – Simpson
- Alma McDonald – Cobden
- Faith Chapman – Cobden
- Jennine Harrison – Camperdown
- Stuart Harrison – Camperdown
- Monica Heffernan – Noorat
- Robyn Gellie – Derrinallum
- Mick Royal – Simpson
- Lorraine Graham – Lismore
- Eve Black – Noorat
- Robert Morrison – Derrinallum
- David Uren – Derrinallum
- Colin Gellie – Derrinallum
- Patricia Hutchison – Skipton
- Trish Wynd – Darlington
- Elizabeth English – Dixie
- Charles Brown – Derrinallum
- Philip Robertson – Camperdown
- Doreen Brumby – Camperdown
- Tony Dupleix – Tesbury
- Elizabeth Pringuer – Cobrico
- Megan Pringuer – Cobrico
- Luke van Rijthoven – Timboon
- Ripley Watt – Dixie
- Lismore Photo Show
- Darlington History Book Launch
- Cobrico Hall Anniversary Weekend
- Cobden Carols by Candlelight