The Golden Plains Shire Council (GPSC) Community Awards 2022 were presented on Tuesday 24 January at Dereel Community Hall.
Mayor Brett Cunningham congratulated all winners and nominees.
“Congratulations to the nine individuals and three community groups that were nominated for this year’s Golden Plains Shire Council Community Awards,” he said.
“It was wonderful to celebrate the impressive achievements of award winners at today’s event and hear about their valuable contributions to the Golden Plains Shire community throughout 2022.
“Our four award-winners are exceptional examples of community spirit and on behalf of Council and the Golden Plains community, I’d like to thank and acknowledge Jaymee-Lin Ellis, Dr Jill Wheeler, Jayden Scheier and the Mannibadar Settlement Committee as the winners of the Golden Plains Shire Council Community Awards 2022.”
The Golden Plains Shire Council (GPSC) Community Awards 2022 aims to encourage and acknowledge the valuable contributions and outstanding achievements made by individuals and groups to Golden Plains Shire.
The Golden Plains Shire Council Citizen of the Year 2022 is Jaymee-Lin Ellis of Smythesdale.
Jaymee-Lin Ellis volunteered her time and expertise to assist the Woady Yaloak Historical Society and the Smythesdale Progress Association to improve the Smythesdale Country Market. Jaymee-Lin has been instrumental in the growth of the market and with Jaymee-Lin’s support the event has become so popular that people travel to Smythesdale specifically for the market, stopping at the cafés and shops on the main streets, supporting local businesses. Jaymee-Lin also runs GenkiFit, a small community fitness program in Smythesdale and is also president of the Woady Yaloak Recreation Facility Committee of Management.
The GPSC Citizen of the Year 2022 nominees were Leah Phillips of Meredith, Shona Eland of Bannockburn, Melissa Gillett of Bannockburn and Stuart McCallum of Bannockburn.
The Golden Plains Shire Council Senior Citizen of the Year 2022 is Dr Jill Wheeler of Linton.
Dr Jill Wheeler works tirelessly as the Linton and District Historical Society President. Dr Wheeler is passionate about the history of Linton and has been an advocate for Linton to be a key historical precinct in the north of the Shire. Dr Wheeler was the key instigator in the commissioning of the sculpture of Dr Vera Scantlebury (WWI Veteran surgeon) which is to be unveiled in 2023. Dr Wheeler has also been successful in securing local, state and federal government grants to restore the Linton library.
Heather Butler of Rokewood was also nominated.
The Golden Plains Shire Council Young Citizen of the Year 2022 is Jayden Scheier of Bannockburn.
Jayden Scheier of Bannockburn is an integral and valued member of the Youth Activation Committee, FReeZA Committee and a supporter of Youth Service programs more broadly. As a young person, Jayden has demonstrated an outstanding ability and commitment to seizing opportunities to empower and engage young people and is a profound example of how valuable young people are as leaders in the community. Jayden has made a significant contribution to the Golden Plains community, specifically in supporting and advocating for young people.
Jemma Mizzi of Lethbridge was also nominated..
The Golden Plains Shire Council Community Impact Award 2022 was presented to the Mannibadar Settlement Committee.
The Mannibadar Settlement Committee hosted a significant community event on March 27, 2022, to mark the 100th anniversary celebrations of the 1921 Mannibadar Soldier Settlement. In the lead up to the event the Mannibadar Settlement Committee worked tirelessly to search for relatives of soldiers from across Australia, which was evident by the number of people that attended the event. There was also an extensive display of historical photos and memorabilia, and a large brass plaque embedded into a granite boulder was unveiled.
Bannockburn Cemetery Trust and YMCA Bannockburn were also nominated.
For more information on all GPSC Community Awards 2022 nominees, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au
