LAST Thursday saw people from across the country recognised for their significant contributions to their communities, with the Southern Grampians Shire being no exception.

At the local Australia Day award ceremony, Southern Grampians Shire Council mayor, David Robertson, and chief executive, Tony Doyle, presented the deserving recipients with certificates to honour the time they put into the local community.

Ranging from musicians, to SES first responders, lawyers, and those with a passion for fundraising , the recipients of the Southern Grampians Shire Council 2023 Australia Day awards are an inspiration to all.

Details on the Community Recognition Award winners and the Mayor’s Award winners are provided below.

Mayor’s Award recipient - YUMCHA Hamilton 18 – 25 Crew

YUMCHA Hamilton 18 – 25 crew is a youth led social group focused on celebrating diversity, forming connections, and engaging young people who identify as LGBTQIA+, their friends and allies.

The young people involved in this group are amazing community champions, who use their lived experience to create awareness as they support health promotion and inclusion through activities such as planning projects and events showing great leadership whilst being positive role models for the younger group members.

Each of the group’s personal efforts have made a significant contribution to the community.

Mayor’s Award recipient - Mr Peter Milburn.

Mr Milburn has given countless hours to the Hamilton and District community and numerous charities through his music.

With talents in playing the banjo and singing, Mr Milburn also has an excellent sound system that he makes freely available for events he is involved in.

Mr Milburn has also played an instrumental role in the establishment of ‘The Evergreens’, which has built an admirable record of community contributions, playing regularly at The Grange, The Birches, and recently for a Western District Health Service fundraising event, and concert at the Hamilton Performing Arts Centre to support  Care Australia’s Appeal for the Ukraine.

Through his monthly performances at The Grange and The Birches which have spanned many years - including during the COVID-19 pandemic where sessions were held outside with speakers so residents could enjoy the music while remaining protected - Mr Milburn has brought joy to many.

Numerous charities have also benefited from his busking including Blaze Aid, Standing Tall, Police Legacy, drought appeals, the MRI for You & I Appeal, the Hamilton and District Rural Australians for Refugees Group, and Hamilton Institute of Rural Learning (HIRL).

Southern Grampians Shire Council Community Recognition Award winners:

Ainsley Wilson

Ms Wilson’s family involvement in the Rotary Club of Hamilton has seen her provide catering for all Rotary functions and fundraising events including Sheepvention.

Also a member of the Society for Growing Australian Plants and the Wannon-Nigretta Community Group, Ms Wilson is passionate about her environment and growing Australian native plants.

Ms Wilson advocates for the eradication of South Africa Weed Orchid and actively removes these within the Wannon Falls Reserve and the area surrounding her property.

Ms Wilson is a giving individual and is known for always helping neighbours who are unwell, providing support and care, and looking after their pets and property while they are absent.

Jane Van Herpen

Ms Van Herpen was a Western District Health Service volunteer for over 10 years as a driver and provided a sewing service for patients/residents of Eventide.

A member of the Wannon Nigretta Community Group and the Hamilton Eisteddfod Board for over a decade, she has also been an enthusiastic member of the Hamilton Singers and recently joined the Uniting Church Second Bite program.

Ms Van Herpen has a strong commitment to her neighbours and often drives elderly residents to medical appointments and assists with their shopping.

She has also tutored many local children through their school life, acting as both a tutor and mentor.

Clare Hilsdon

On top of being a mum and part-time teacher aide, Ms Hilsdon is also a regular volunteer within the Southern Grampians, dedicating her time to being a run director at Hamilton Parkrun, a running coach for both adults and children at the Hamilton Running Club, and being a mentor at Standing Tall in Hamilton.

With a passion for running, Ms Hildson also volunteers as a Melbourne Marathon Pacer where she runs the total 42.2 kilometres in a set time, supporting other runners along the way to complete the distance and achieve their marathon running goals.

Celeste Benoit

Ms Benoit is a passionate member of the Hamilton Fire Brigade where she selflessly dedicates her time to protecting the community.

With a passion for youth programs, Ms Benoit is the state representative for young adults within CFA in our local district.

As the current lieutenant at Hamilton Fire Brigade, Ms Benoit strives to be a change maker within the organisation and promotes and enhances new members by being an exemplary role model and mentor.

Rebecca Doheny

Ms Doheny is an inspiration to many, raising three children and contributing to almost every local event as well as donating her time and marketing skills to anyone trying to better the community.

She runs the ‘Hello! TARRINGTON’ Facebook page and organised a town trick or treat this year donating her time and money to set up ‘pop up’ locations.

Ms Doheny has been described as always willing to help anyone in need.

Timothy Fry

Mr Fry is the Hamilton SES unit controller and played an important role during the local October floods, coordinating 71 calls for help in the one night with his partner, Jess.

While helping members of the community in need, the pair were aware their own home was suffering water damage.

Mr Fry does a lot of the training at the SES and will often train SES volunteers on weekends.

He is an inspiration and a role model to other SES volunteers and a vital member of our community who has been described as dedicated, methodical, and organised.

Jessica Mayne

Ms Mayne’s vibrant community spirit shines through her involvement with the local SES and her other community work.

Along with her partner Tim, she has been a dedicated part of the SES team for the past six years and devotes all her free time to making sure her beloved community is in safe hands.

Erika Murphy

Ms Murphy is a self-employed, busy wife and mother of three children, two of whom have ongoing health issues.

Between managing work, home, and hospital trips, Ms Murphy’s inventive fundraising for the Royal Children’s Hospital has been outstanding, with her efforts raising over $20,000 in the past five years.

Her capacity to involve not only family but friends, small business, sporting clubs, and community members has ensured unequivocal and repeated responses of support by all who become involved.

Amongst all of this, she somehow found time to take a leading role in fundraising for the Epilepsy Foundation, raising over $10,000.

Ingrid Mojica Perez

Ms Mojica Perez grew up in Hamilton and has made significant contributions to the local legal community.

She has dedicated her career to assisting locals, particularly with Legal Aid and pro-bono work in the areas of Family Law, Criminal Law, Child Protection, and Intervention Orders including Family Violence matters.

Ms Mojica Perez has made significant voluntary contributions as the Young Lawyer’s Representative on the Western District Law Association Committee for a number of years and her dedication to assisting others is frequently commended by clients and her peers in the legal community.

Kathy Mibus

Ms Mibus has worked tirelessly for many years collecting and organising programs that raise significant amounts of money for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

Her generosity seems endless as she supports many charity programs including Pink Ribbon Day, Indigenous Missions, the Lutheran World, the Starlight Foundation, Second Bite and has sponsored a child through the Smith Family since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As she says, if any worthwhile local charity requires support, she will support it with magnificent results.

Her father also set up a trust which supports the Start Foundation. Jacob was a beneficiary for his prosthesis for his leg.

The Balmoral Op Shop

The Balmoral Op Shop is run by a group of local ladies who welcome visitors into the shop like an old friend.

They help locals, campers and visitors alike by opening their doors so that they can come in, have a look around and grab a bargain.

Bus tours have been organised to come to Balmoral just to visit these ladies.

They have supported many within the community including the annual Christmas barbeques.

Robyn Blake, Beth Smith, Dot O’Calligan, Di McLean, Beryl Grant, Joy Brody, and Nancye Merryful were presented with the award at the Balmoral Australia Day celebrations.