WHEN Harrow resident, Josie Sangster, found out she was nominated for the West Wimmera Shire Citizen of the Year, she thought it was a joke.

But soon afterwards the ‘joke’ was on her, when she was informed she won the award: a complete surprise that she struggled to know how to respond to.

“I had no idea,” Josie said.

“A couple of weeks ago I was in Robe and (a couple of community members) rang.

“I didn’t know what they were talking about.”

When she realised they were serious, her first reaction was, “I’m not coming home - it’s embarrassing!”

“I don’t know what to think (about it),” Josie said.

West Wimmera Shire mayor, Tim Meyer, said all the candidates were of extremely high calibre but Josie stood out for her determined fundraising work - and much more - in promoting the iconic town and was a deserving winner.

“We have so many outstanding people in our communities doing amazing work,” he said.

“(Josie) is involved in the Harrow Discovery Centre and brings a lot of attention to the area with her ability to excite people with stories of the town’s cricket history.

“She has a passion for telling and promoting this story and realises its potential to bring thousands of tourists to the West Wimmera Shire.

“Through her work, she has coordinated the return of important artefacts and culturally important artworks to the district.”

Josie said it was “very nice” to receive such an honour, but felt she was just one of a broader community working hard to keep the town advancing as a tourist destination in the region.

“To be quite honest I’m a little bit embarrassed,” she repeated.

“A lot of people do a lot of things in Harrow … I’m very humbled by it.”

The main culprit for the nomination was resident Harrow artist, Ron ‘Stretch’ Penrose, who said it was because “all the great things she’s done for the town this year and other years”.

“She didn’t know,” he admitted.

“(But) she’s a very worthwhile person.”

Stretch said it wasn’t just her work for the town that inspired him to nominate her - her efforts always went over and above “to bring attention to our story” but she saw “the big picture” of promoting West Wimmera at large as well.

“It’s a great little town we have,” he said.

“She keeps putting it out there - talking to the media and personalities and Cricket Australia.

“Everyone thinks she’s a pocket rocket, but I think she’s tenacious. She keeps at it, she goes and goes and goes.”

Josie has been responsible for many fundraising ideas in the district, which has supported a diverse group of projects, including the hall, Johnny Mullagh Park and Harrow Bush Nursing Centre.

She has helped organise concerts, events, art show and helicopter flights and has even spent hours sewing curtains for the hall.

“Josie is an important and respected member of the Harrow community,” Cr Meyer said.

Josie said she was happier thinking about the town not herself and quickly pointed to the latest pleasing development for Harrow.

“The good news is - the better news is - we’ve reached our goal of fundraising for the hall,” she said.

“$30,000 was our goal and has been raised by the community - I’m much happier about that.”

Josie will be presented with the award at Harrow’s Australia Day celebrations tomorrow.

Other West Wimmera Australia Day award winners include Young Citizen of the Year, Elyssa Hausler, from Edenhope; Event of the Year, Trakmaster Off-Road Caravan Club Gathering in Kaniva; and Community Group of the Year, Kaniva Playgroup.

Elyssa has been involved in both the Edenhope P&A Society and the Goroke A&P Society as a committee member and worked as a steward at the Edenhope Show every year.

Cr Meyer said she also volunteered her time teaching older community members modern technology, as well as with Meals on Wheels; her involvement with Henley on Lake Wallace, Girl Guides, the Edenhope Apsley Football and Netball Club and the Kowree Tennis Association round out her busy community input.

The award is not Elyssa’s first recognition - in 2021, she won the state’s Junior Rural Ambassador Award.

Cr Meyer said all of the winners made enormous contributions to the shire.

“Our shire would not function without the work of all of these tireless volunteers who put so much time and effort into making our communities great,” he said.

“We thank all these people for the amazing work that they do in our shire.”

Cr Meyer said all West Wimmera Shire winners would be formally recognised at Australia Day ceremonies tomorrow.

Winners will receive a framed certificate and lapel pin.