Corangamite recognises volunteers

CORANGAMITE Shire’s Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the year awards both have joint winners, a first throughout the history of the award.

Wayne Reicha (from left), Lizz Kelly and Paul Blain were finalists in the shire’s Community Event of the Year for the Get Around Your Mates Golf Day event which raised $3200 in support of mental health.

Nominees for Citizen of the Year has included Rob Rowe, Lynn Patzel, Bruce Twaddle, Anna Conheady and Margaret Parnell while Terangs’ Music for Farmers and Get Around Your Mates Golf Day earned nominations for Community Event of the Year.

Ultimately, the tireless efforts of Cobden’s husband-wife duo of Gary and Marilyn Kimber shared Corangamite Shire’s 2026 Citizen of the Year Award.

Affectionately referred to as ‘Team Kimber’, the duo has been volunteering side by side in Cobden and across Corangamite for more than 40 years.

They have been involved in Rotary, U3A, the Cobden and Camperdown Community Bank and countless other local initiatives.

The couple, who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this year, describe themselves as the “backstop” for each other, each supporting the other in their endeavours.

“In our work in education we always asked the community for support and volunteers,” Mr Kimber said.

“When we retired, we stepped up our volunteering.

“It’s enriched our lives without a doubt. We’ve made so many friends.”

Camperdown’s Bentley Currell and Ben Matthews of Newfield were named Young Citizens of the Year.

At just 13 years of age, Bentley has already completed extraordinary fundraising challenges.

Through a series of long-distance charity cycling challenges, he has helped raise $1500 for the Epilepsy Foundation then an impressive $26,000 for brain cancer research.

Ben’s award recognises his decade of volunteering with Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club.

He started active patrolling with the club in 2016, and has recorded hundreds of hours of voluntary work, actively watching tourists and locals swim between the red and yellow flags.

“It’s been a family thing for me,” Ben said.

“It’s rewarding in that it’s helping the community.

“From the top down these volunteers are fostering a sense of volunteering and selflessness, and it becomes second nature to those coming up.”

The Timboon 150th Birthday Celebration won the Community Event of the Year award.

The festival in March 2025 was a two-day event featuring historical displays, a street parade, picnic cabaret, parkrun, sporting activities, a market, Tracks Music Festival and more.

Mayor councillor Kate Makin congratulated the award recipients and thanked all the volunteers who contribute to community life in Corangamite.

“The start of this year has once again highlighted the extraordinary power of volunteering,” she said.

“Across our region and beyond, people have stepped forward to help others − responding to fires, floods and other emergencies with generosity, courage and compassion.

“To everyone who put up their hand to help, often at short notice and without expectation of recognition, we thank you sincerely.

“We are honoured to recognise the remarkable achievements and contributions of individuals through the Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year Awards.

“These awards shine a light on people whose actions strengthen our community and reflect the very best of what it means to be Australian.”