The 2024 Central Goldfields Shire Australia Day Award winners were officially announced at a celebration at the Station Domain in Maryborough on Friday 26 January.
Australia Day awards were presented in three categories - Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Award of the Year.
The recipients are:
Citizen of the Year – Aileen Marshall
Aileen is an exemplary role model in the Central Goldfields Shire. Aileen has been a dedicated leader and committed volunteer for Riding for the Disabled Association for Victoria in Maryborough for over 40 years. Aileen has dedicated much of her life to being a staunch and tireless advocate for adults and children with disabilities.
For the riders she displays a positive attitude to life, demonstrating determination to overcome hurdles and showing that success is possible. She sets an example of care and respect for others and horses.
Aileen is an inspirational role model for her volunteers and anyone who visits RDA. She exemplifies a 'can do' and compassionate mindset in the face of the significant challenges of safely managing horses, people with disabilities and volunteers over so many years.
Aileen was recently awarded 'Kevin Coombs Lifetime Achievement Award at the Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards, an honour previously awarded to people such as the famous Dylan Alcott.
In her many leadership positions across the community Aileen is seen as a role model for administration, management and mentoring for those who may take up leadership roles in the future. She has been a President and long-time committee member of the Isabelle Warton complex and a founding member and former President of the Maryborough Pony Club and also served as District Commissioner. She was also Chief Instructor for the Midland Zone. Aileen is currently President of the Talbot Town Hall committee.
Aileen's lifetime contribution to our shire is impressive making her a worthy recipient of the 2024 Central Goldfields Citizen of the Year Award.
Young Citizen of the Year – Khoa Do
Khoa is an enthusiastic, impressive young person with a strong social conscience, admirable leadership skills and is a role model to his peers at Maryborough Education Centre.
Khoa is a Central Goldfields Shire Youth Councillor and in 2023 held the position of Youth Mayor. In this role Khoa was involved in organising events including Clean-Up Australia Day, the Youth Festival, and was invited to advocate to Department of Education on school-based challenges as a result of the pandemic.
Notably, he played a key role in organising student-led climate conversations alongside members of the Climate Action Stewarding Group. At these events he was an excellent convener, managing conversations around sensitive topics.
In 2023 he was also a Rural Youth Ambassador in a program run by the Country Education Partnership. Along with other rural students he attended four forums in Melbourne where he was involved in a range of leadership development activities and conversations focused on rural and remote life and learning. At the graduation he was referred to as one of the most impressive young men they'd met since running the forums.
Khoa has held various leadership positions at Maryborough Education Centre. He also instigated upgrading the school's recycling program and is a regular contributor at school assemblies sharing information on what's on within our Shire.
Khoa is admired and respected by his peers. He is willing to move out of his comfort zone in an endeavour to improve himself and others. He strives to be the best he can be on a consistent basis which inspires other students to do the same.
Community Event/Activity of the Year – Goldfields Park Run
Every week for the past four years in rain, hail or shine, local residents have gathered at Goldfields Reservoir at 8am on a Saturday.
The free event attracts both locals and visitors near and far as they enjoy a 5-kilometre walk, run or jog. Every week the event is well attended and supported by wonderful volunteers.
The event encourages people of all ages and abilities to start a regimen of fitness, with no pressure to compete and at no cost.
Not only does it encourage health, mental and physical benefits to all participants, the event also facilities new friendships and connections across generations. It's a social opportunity with an infectious camaraderie and a fun atmosphere – where everyone is inspired and encouraged to achieve their goals.
