Congratulations to Community Award winners
Published on 25 January 2022
Each year Council hosts a civic event on Australia Day eve to welcome new citizens to Shire and to announce community award winners.
This year Council welcomed eight new citizens at a special ceremony in Hepburn Springs. Councillors also presented the Hepburn Shire Community Award Winners for 2022.
Mayor, Cr Tim Drylie, said how great it was to welcome new residents to the Hepburn Shire.
“We live in a beautiful part of the world and we welcome our newest residents to enjoy what our community has to offer. I also wish to acknowledge our community award winners for 2022, all deserving winners and goes to show the calibre of people we have in this wonderful shire.”
Congratulations to: Community Event of the Year - Feast on Fraser Street – Christmas in Clunes organised by Clunes Neighbourhood House
After such a long time without community events, the Christmas in Clunes Feast on Fraser Street was a wonderful way to get back into safe, family focussed events.
Christmas in Clunes runs festivities every year and is always focussed on making it accessible to all, with lots of free entertainment and showcasing the beautiful Clunes. Deb Bright, Coordinator Clunes Neighbourhood House, accepted the award on behalf of the event.
Young Citizen of the Year - Katie Topp
Katie, who lives in Hepburn Springs was nominated for her outstanding contribution to the community during 2021.
Katie is completing an internship at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, and joined Riding for the Disabled Daylesford (RDA) in the middle of 2020 as a volunteer. She undertook the extensive RDA volunteer training in January 2021 and has not missed a riding session since.
Katie has a strong ability to relate to and understand people. She has a great deal of empathy and encourages, supports and works with the riders. It is these qualities while drawing on her own personal experiences that have made Katie a role model for many of the riders.
Citizen of the Year - Danny Moynihan
Danny Moynihan has served the wider community in many roles over the past 37 years. Danny Moynihan has been involved in at least 24 community organisations and causes. His volunteer commitment has been and continues to be immense. A few of the community organisations and events Danny has been involved include Daylesford Girls Guides, Daylesford Scouts, White Ribbon, ChillOut, Hepburn Regional Community Cheer, Daylesford’s Agricultural show and many more. In addition to this Danny continues to help others through roles such as at the Good Grub Club, Special Kids Appeal and the op shop.
Life membership award for services to Town Crying and the Community - Philip Greenbank
This award was presented on behalf of the Australasian Guild of Town Criers. This award was due to be presented in December 2021, at the Guilds Championship in Creswick, however this event was cancelled due to COVID. Council recognises the significance of this award and the important role of a Town Crier and we are very grateful to present this award.
Philip has competed in all of the Guild’s competitions and championships since joining, and has hosted several of these. In 2017, he was presented with the Peter Northfield Memorial Trophy for services to the Guild. He was elected as Vice President in March 2016 and in November became acting President, and elected President the following year. Philip still maintains that position today and has written the Guild’s Quarterly Newsletter since joining.
Australia Day
Many community groups have made the difficult decision to cancel their Australia Day events this year due to the escalating COVID cases in the region.
Events at Clunes, Creswick, Glenlyon have been cancelled, but two events will still proceed with COVID safety measures in place
Clunes: 5.45am at Mt Beckworth Reserve Walk (meet at the Dam). There will be no breakfast or formal ceremony
Trentham: 10.00am at Town Square. Includes flag raising ceremony with community BBQ and entertainment.