2021 Australia Day Awards in West Wimmera Shire

Published on 26 January 2021

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OUTSTANDING volunteers and community groups in West Wimmera Shire were recognised on Tuesday as part of the 2021 Australia Day celebrations.

Council presented awards for Citizen of the Year, Community Group of the Year, and Community Event of the Year at Australia Day events across the shire.

 Longstanding and dedicated Kaniva volunteer Annie Austin was awarded Citizen of the Year.

 Mayor Bruce Meyer said Ms Austin was an outstanding community advocate, who has dedicated countless hours in the promotion of the town.

“She has volunteered her time coordinating projects including the Rogerson Street Playground upgrade, the “Spirit of Kaniva” permanent photography display at the Kaniva Community Roadhouse and for the last 10 years she has acted as an administrator of the “Kaniva” Facebook page which promotes tourism to the town and district,” he said.

 “She is well known in the community for her commitment as a regular coordinator of community photography exhibitions at the Purple Starfish and for donating photos for media, postcards and promotional materials for tourism to the town.”

 Ms Austin has previously mentored young people through the MATES mentoring program, works behind the scenes on the “Sheep Art Trail” and acts as a photography steward at the Kaniva Show. 

 Community Group of the Year award was presented to the Apsley Craft Group and Retired Ladies.

 “During the COVID-19 pandemic, the group dedicated their time and craft to support local community and other charitable causes,” he said.

 “The Group’s notable achievements in 2020 included handcrafting hundreds of gifts of handmade teddy bears, toiletry bags and clothing for the international charitable organisation “The Samaritan’s Purse” and the hand creation of hundreds of poppies for the 2020 Apsley Remembrance Day,”.

 “During the lockdown of 2020, The groups charitable work not only gave back to those in need, but it also provided members with a sense of purpose and social engagement, helping members remain connected as we lived through the isolation of lockdown”. Cr Meyer said.

 The 2020 Harrow Balmoral Football Netball Club, Kangaroo Island Bushfire Recovery Project was named the West Wimmera Shire Community Event of the Year. 

 The event, which followed the devastating bushfires in in the summer of 2020, saw the Harrow Balmoral Football and Netball Club donate $14,000, a truckload of hay and fencing materials to the Kangaroo Island Bushfire recovery,” Cr Meyer said.

 The project also saw a team of 39 HBFNC volunteers journey across to Kangaroo Island for four days to help farmers rebuild in their recovery from the bushfires.

  “We extend our congratulations to all of the award winners for their selfless and proactive contribution to our community,” Cr Meyer said.

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Further details Mayor Bruce Meyer, 0437 261 280