Leeanne Whitehead is Corangamite Shire's 2025 Citizen of the year.
The Timboon resident was named at the Council's Australia Day Event at the Theatre Royal in Camperdown.
The Timboon resident is secretary of the town's recreation reserve committee and Timboon Action the Timboon 150th birthday committee.
She is editor of the Timboon Railway Gazette and an integral part of the team who developed the Timboon Makers and Farmers Market and regularly volunteers at parkrun.
Leanne said she would accept the award "on behalf of everyone who volunteers".
"Everyone who gets out and gets their hands dirty makes a difference.
"I'm really appreciative of everyone who put the effort in to put in a nomination and that they thought I was worthy of it.
"Volunteering has been a team effort. I couldn't have done what I've done without my husband and three sons. As a dairy farmer there's no way I could have done it without them.
"The Timboon Demons—it was the Heytesbury Demons before—has been our main involvement over the years. Between us we've taken on most roles there over the years.
"I'm really proud of getting the markets up and running. With regard to the Gazette, it was my dream to have a way for people to get information they couldn't get in other formats, like if they weren't on social media.
"With the expertise of local printer Darcy McGlade (2017 Young Citizen of the Year) the Gazette is evolving.
"There's a small group of us working on it and we're excited to see where it goes. Hopefully it's a good tool for locals and tourists and for Timboon."
Alysa Hibburt, of Port Campbell, was named Young Community Volunteer of the Year for her leadership at the Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club.
Alysa said she was "pretty excited" about her award.
"Definitely surprised and grateful that I've been recognised for my efforts.
"Volunteering at the Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club has been such a rewarding experience, and I've been fortunate to work alongside such dedicated individuals who inspire me to continue giving back.
"I really enjoy being down at the club and I think the most rewarding part is seeing other people thrive.
"When i was the age manager for the Under 14 Nippers I made sure to put in the extra effort to ensure they got the best experience I could give them, and I always told them to have fun. Now, I have seen 15 young SRC kids enjoying volunteer patrol, putting their skills into practice and having fun, I feel proud to be a part of their volunteering journey."
Alysa has recognised the efforts the other club members who have inspired her to make her own difference, especially to Darcy Tribe (2022 Young Citizen of the Year) for always encouraging her to sign up for training courses or upcoming events.
"He's our club captain and if it wasn't for Tribey I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing today".
The Harvfest Ball won the Community Event of the Year award.
Organising committee member Darren Fletcher thanked the people who nominated the black-tie event.
"Obviously they can see the hard work we're doing and the benefit to the community.
"It's been a really rewarding experience.
"The greatest thing we've done is a lot of breakfast clubs—in Lake Bolac and for the last five years in Skipton—so kids can come to school and have a nutritious meal.
"There was a hole in our community for that kind of work. It's much needed in a farming community.
Darren said organisers aimed to keep the event local as much as possible, with half the tickets reserved for people who have come for three or more years.
"We palm out jobs to local community organisations and they get paid as a donation.
"After the financials are all sorted out we ask people to write in and ask for grants. After this year's ball we hope to have put $200,000 back into the community."
The following nominees received certificates of commendation.
Citizen of the Year
- Maureen & Robert Larkins – Camperdown
- Helen Moloney – Camperdown
- Gwen George – Camperdown
- Gary O'Neil – Camperdown
- Phil Green – Skipton
- Karen Bodman – Skipton
- Ian Phillips – Skipton
- Rebecca Farey – Noorat
- Georgina Conheady – Noorat
- Josie Douglas – Camperdown
- John Hulm – Camperdown
- Laura Conheady – Noorat
- Joycy Salas – Cooriemungle
- Mandi Poustie - Cooriemungle
- Alison Byrne – Chocolyn
- Gary Kimber – Cobden
- Friends of the RSL – Skipton Branch
- Jane McSween – Camperdown
- Kylie Spokes – Weerite
- Debbie McIntyre – Skipton
Young Citizen of the Year
- Sara Kennedy – Pittong
- Riley Stephenson – Camperdown
- Bentley Currell – Camperdown
Community Event of the Year
- Skipton Spring Festival
- Lakes and Craters International Horse Trials
- Cobden Pioneer Park Sunday Funday
- Camperdown Carols by Candlelight
Mayor Kate Makin congratulated the award recipients and thanked all the volunteers who contribute to community life in Corangamite.
"Our award winners this year truly deserve it for their fantastic contributions to the community.
"Their dedication and passion make a significant impact in the Shire by help other people build connections, open up new opportunities and resources and contributing to overall wellbeing of our friends and neighbours.
"I highly recommend everyone get involved in a sporting club, community group, or service organisation because we can all make a real difference and gain a sense of accomplishment."
At the event, Cr Makin also officiated over the Citizenship ceremony for six new Australians, from New Zealand and the Philippines.
Samuel Groen, Nikita Millar, Rich Nabuab and Mary Jane Weston, and Geoffrey and Glenys Rendell all took the Citizenship pledge
Bookaar's Olympian and world champion shooter Penny Smith was special guest speaker, sharing her inspirational story of success.
The Camperdown Theatre Company and Lakes and Craters Band provided the music and Lions Club of Camperdown cooked a free barbecue for the community after the formalities concluded.
THE RECIPIENTS
Citizen of the Year Leeanne Whitehead
Timboon resident Leeanne is the embodiment of a community volunteer. Inspired by her parents and grandmother who were all involved with the Timboon community for many years, growing up with such strong community values has led her to a life of local volunteering.
Currently Leeanne is the Timboon Recreation Reserve committee of management Secretary, Timboon Action Committee Secretary, and a regular volunteer at Timboon parkrun. She is also the Secretary of the planning committee for Timboon's 150th birthday celebration in March 2025.
Leeanne is editor of the Timboon Railway Gazette; a monthly publication filled with local news and information for the community and tourists to our town. She was also an integral part of the team who developed the Timboon Makers and Farmers Market.
Leeanne is a quite achiever and leader of her community. She is a mentor for the community and when faced with an obstacle or conundrum in our own community volunteering the common refrain is 'What would Leeanne do?' She has recognised many other community volunteers by quietly nominating them for recognition expecting no personal accolades herself.
Young Citizen of the Year Alysa Hibburt
Alysa is a young, emerging leader from Port Campbell.
At Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club, Alysa serves as a Patrol Captain in Port Campbell and the club's outpost patrol in Peterborough over Summer. She leads a team of 7-10 volunteer lifesavers with varying skills and experiences.
Alysa holds 35 Life Saving Awards, including inflatable rescue boat crew, driver, first aid and advanced resuscitation techniques. Alysa has a career total of 155 voluntary patrol hours since beginning patrols in 2019. Alysa is an Under 14 Nippers Age Group Manager.
Alysa has been a huge supporter and a large part of the success of the PCSLSCs annual pink patrol. The aim of this initiative is to acknowledge and celebrate the many contributions women past and present have played in lifesaving.
Alysa is also a camp leader on the clubs U18 Bondi Leadership and Development camp. On this camp she leads daily conversations that include, learnings from the day, goal setting and initiatives to bring back to our club. In this role, Alysa helps supporting youth voices and organizing youth events. Most recently the youth committee helped organize a youth development day for rowers across the state. Alysa's leadership also shines outside of PCSLSC. Alysa has been a pool lifeguard at Timboon for the past two summers and was sports captain at Timboon P-12 in 2022.
Community Event of the Year Harvfest Ball
The Harvfest Ball is a black-tie event for members of the community and their friends bringing everyone together and celebrating the end of the harvest season.
Held just over the border at Carranballac Recreation Reserve since 2019, it is organised by a committee from Skipton.
All profits are donated back to local community groups, with more than $160,000 given back since the event started.
The ball is a great morale booster for local community members (farmers in particular) after harvest—whether it's a good or bad season.
The grants have helped fund projects like the new Skipton Skate Park, Skipton Springfest, new cooking appliances for SMW rovers FNC, bleachers for the netball courts at Skipton Football Netball Club and more.
