General News
28 January, 2022
Top citizens receive Corangamite awards
HARD-WORKING Cobden volunteer Kelvin White was recognised as the Corangamite Shire’s Citizen of the Year on Wednesday.
HARD-WORKING Cobden volunteer Kelvin White was recognised as the Corangamite Shire’s Citizen of the Year on Wednesday.
Mr White received the prestigious award at the shire’s annual ceremony held at the Cobden Community Bank Recreation Reserve.
A former school teacher, Mr White has a long history of mentoring young people at Cobden Technical School and with South West LLEN, Beyond the Bell and Corangamite L2P program.
He also has a long administrative history with the Cobden Recreation Centre and Cobden Sports Club, is active in Progressing Cobden, the Cobden Business Network, events, festivals and bushfire recovery.
He was also involved in developing the town’s Twenty20 Vision and the CobdenStory project.
“I’m feeling very humble and privileged to be acknowledged in this way,” Mr White said.
“There are personal benefits for people who volunteer as well as for the communities themselves.
“I hope it encourages people of all ages to help where they can so Corangamite Shire can remain strong and be an inviting place to live.”
Port Campbell Surf Life Saving captain Darcy Tribe was named the shire’s Young Citizen of the Year.
Mr Tribe launched new initiatives to increase patrols and encourage female involvement and engage schools and is a member of the Community Emergency Response Team and on the call-out list for Coastal Rescue Service.
“Volunteering has just been a part of life down there,” he said.
“I’ve had a lot of great family members and cultural figures around the town who have led the way before me.
“I’m just carrying the baton ready to give on to the next generation.”
The Cobden Technical School and Cobden Cemetery Trust took home the shire’s Community Event of the Year for the Anzac Commemoration Service 2021.
Cobden Technical School community engagement co-ordinator Andrea Stoddart said the Anzac Day project grew from a mission to connect students with the community. Students found and marked the graves of 37 veterans with an Australian flag for the Anzac Day service.
“What was amazing about the project was the willingness of the community members to embrace this event. The interest and pride grew exponentially,” she said.
“It was born in March and happened in two months. It brought together so many people from different walks of life.”
Corangamite Shire Mayor Ruth Gstrein congratulated the winners and 40 recipients of Australia Day achievement awards.
Local recipients included:
Thomas Brett – Lismore;
Avon Buchholz – Lismore;
John Cheslett – Camperdown;
Maureen Bond – David Newman Adult Day Centre, Camperdown;
Maureen Crameri – David Newman Adult Day Centre, Camperdown;
Cathy Frusher – David Newman Adult Day Centre, Camperdown;
Jordyn Hickey – Camperdown;
Nigel Hooker – Lismore;
Janet O’Hehir – Camperdown;
James O’Shea – Camperdown;
Loris Shannon – Lismore;
Anne Smith – Lismore;
Natasha Swayn – Camperdown;
Doug Smith – Skipton;
Kathy Sproules – Skipton;
Ivan Sanders – Skipton;
Barbara Pett – Skipton;
Anglea Kemp – David Newman Adult Day Centre, Camperdown;
Throwing A Lifeline During COVID-19 – David Newman Adult Day Centre; and
Lions Club of Lismore and District – Lismore.
“We are very fortunate in our shire to have so many community-minded people who are willing to give their time and energy to supporting the wider community,” Cr Gstrein said.
“Together they have made contributions across a wide range of caring, sporting, cultural and supportive activities.
“Thank you for your role in making Corangamite Shire a great place to live.”
