AN exceptional group of locals were again recognised at the recent Wannon Volunteer Awards celebration for the contribution they make to the community, individually, or with a group.

Wannon MP, Dan Tehan, recently presented the awards in Warrnambool and said it was one of his favourite events of the year as it was a great opportunity to honour locals who selflessly gave their time to enrich the lives of others in the community.

 “Volunteers serve in so many different capacities, from helping local sporting teams to responding to natural disasters, such as the recent floods, to helping our charities or helping our most disadvantaged,” he said.

“Their contribution helps build and shape our local communities and make Wannon an incredibly special place to live.”

Special guest speaker for the Volunteer Awards was Madi Bennett who grew up and went to school in Hamilton and spoke on why volunteering and advocacy are important, especially for younger generations. 

She shared her personal journey of her mother’s diagnosis of Huntington’s disease (HD), a rare and inherited neurological degenerative condition, her work to raise awareness and giving a much-needed voice to affected families.

Ms Bennett sits on the volunteer committee for Huntington’s Victoria and has also raised vital funds for research.

Volunteer Award winners were spread across many categories including Emergency Management which was presented to David Gordon from Dunkeld. Mr Gordon has given over 40 years of service and was a foundation member of the Dunkeld SES Unit, having joined in 1982. He remains an operational member today and has attended many requests for assistance, including several significant road rescue events. Mr Gordon is a past secretary, team leader and maintenance officer and was awarded Life Membership of the Dunkeld SES Unit in 2004.

Awarded the National Medal in 1998 for diligent service, he has since received the first and second clasp of this medal.

A quiet achiever, Mr Gordon has been a constant and dependable member and mentor in over 40 years of service and has played a pivotal role in facility maintenance and improvements.

He has also been a member of the CFA for over 60 years, was the CFA representative on the Shire of Mount Rouse Disaster Committee in 1971, later becoming the newly formed Dunkeld SES Unit.

He was awarded Life membership of the Dunkeld CFA Brigade in 2011.

Tania Gray from Heywood was also recognised in the category having been a CFA volunteer at the Heywood Brigade for 31 years, 18 of which she was secretary.

Ms Gray has seen many Captains come and go, but still shows commitment to her role and thus became one of the longest-serving secretaries in the history of the Heywood Fire Brigade.

Through arduous work and dedication, Ms Gray has helped to shape the Brigade into one of the most successful in the area, continually motivating, inspiring, and encouraging all members to be their best.

Her dedication to the Brigade made it feel like a large family while maintaining a high standard of professionalism.

Hamilton’s Travis McIntosh was a third recipient in the category, recognised for his commitment and dedication to the Hamilton SES.

Since joining the SES in 2016, Mr McIntosh has been instrumental in applying his knowledge and support to his local community and interstate.

Mr McIntosh volunteered for three deployments in two states to help with weather events and was part of a team of twenty-six who went to NSW to support flood-affected communities where they assisted with over 8000 calls for help.

Recently, Mr McIntosh provided around-the-clock support to Hamilton and surrounding communities impacted by floods.

Mr McIntosh has also taken on a leadership role in training new and current members to ensure that they are well-equipped ahead of attending any emergencies.

In the Group Volunteer category, Standing Tall in Hamilton Inc volunteers demonstrated excellence in providing ongoing commitment to their students, referred due to their risk of disengaging from education, or the impact of trauma or disadvantage.

The mentor volunteers were recognised for helping students re-engage with education, reduce absenteeism, improve social skills and confidence, and recommit to complete their education. They provide lasting positive impacts on the lives of the students, simply through being committed and supportive volunteers.

In the Long-Term Commitment to Community Service category, Stephen Cotterill from Cavendish was recognised for eight years of service, volunteering to manage the Cavendish Recreation Reserve Campground and raising funds for the local community. Mr Cotterill dedicates his time daily to helping visitors to our region get the most from their stay and provides information on the many wonders of Cavendish and the wider Grampians region.

He goes above and beyond to ensure the town’s assets are always maintained and in good order, including cleaning the amenities, mowing and weed control. Many people holidaying in Cavendish remark on how friendly and helpful he is.

Over the past eight years, Stephen has not had a traditional public holiday off, including Christmas Day, and has been selfless in this area. He also supports the Cavendish community in many other ways, including volunteering for the CFA and helping gain grants for the community. Stephen always helps in any area that requires his assistance. He has, through his endeavours, raised over $70,000 for the community, which is highly commendable and an outstanding effort.

Hamilton’s Claire Hilsdon was recognised for her selfless contributions to the Hamilton community through regularly volunteering her time and skills as a director of the Hamilton Park Run and as a child and adult running coach at the Hamilton Running Club.

She also volunteers an hour every week as a mentor with Standing Tall in Hamilton and is a fantastic role model who is committed to supporting her students to ensure they remain engaged in school and continue to thrive.

Ms Hilsdon recently inspired the community when she set and achieved the goal of completing 140 laps of Lake Hamilton and raised over $2000 for Standing Tall in Hamilton to support the program’s future.

Another long-term Hamilton awardee, Louise McLennan, was also recognised in the category for her service to the business community for many years as president and through countless hours of volunteering for the Hamilton Regional Business Association.

Ms McLennan organises networking events to promote the connections of the Association and is the first point of contact for any member or businessperson who needs support or guidance.

She recently participated in the business well-being workshop and has applied her knowledge to help those around her and is a sounding board for her local shire.

Through her advocacy and ear-to-the-ground approach, Ms McLennan campaigns for the needs of regional businesses so they can prosper and grow.

Brian O’Brien from Penshurst was recognised for his long service as a volunteer at the Volcanoes Discovery Centre since its inception in 2003.

For most of that time, Mr O’Brien has served on the committee of management of the Centre and was heavily involved in both the 2008 and present upgrades to the Centre.

He is also active in the Penshurst Progress Association and Mt Rouse & District Historical Society.

His enthusiasm for both the Volcano Centre and the town makes him a special member of the community.

Clinton Thomas from Hamilton was recognised for his contribution to the community through sport, having joined the Cavendish Football and Netball Club in 2018.

He worked to promote community well-being through his dedication and leadership across the entire club and was the major driver in taking the club from winless to premiership winners in 2022.

Mr Thomas volunteered as senior coach over the past four years without payment and was a significant contributor and leader in developing and implementing the junior football structure and introducing junior football to the club.

Mr Thomas used his resources in leadership to enable the club to create an inviting culture that promotes accountability and transparency.

He also volunteered his expertise as a fitness expert and personal trainer and allowed members of the Cavendish football and netball teams to use his gym and services at no cost.

Mr Thomas fulfilled many roles on top of his senior coaching role over the past four years, including junior umpiring and running junior football training and was often seen lending a hand in the kitchen on a Thursday night and cleaning amenities after training and social events. The depth of Mr Thomas’ contribution and leadership was endless.

In the special Member of Parliament category was Linda Malseed of Macarthur, who was recognised for her extraordinary voluntary efforts in the community for over 40 years.

From Pony Club to breeding Labradors for Guide Dogs, role as secretary at the Macarthur Swimming Pool, Mrs Malseed’s efforts are endless.

She worked tirelessly to allow the Macarthur community to operate the pool and implement the Shire’s policies and procedures and spent countless hours researching and reading the guidelines and implementing them into operating the pool.

Mrs Malseed listened to the community and increased pool hours, swimming lessons, learn to swim programs and pool parties.

Membership nearly doubled.

She is enthusiastic about each child having fun in and around the water and that swimming is not only fun, but an essential skill for life.

Mrs Malseed also volunteers on the barbecue and cooks up a feast for hungry swimmers - her pancakes are well known and people flock to the pool when they are on the menu, including attracting elderly residents for social gatherings.

She helped put the Macarthur Swimming Pool on the map, attracting swimmers from all around the district; it is the town’s best asset.