Community members and visitors are set to celebrate Australia Day on Sunday 26 January, with eight events taking place around Murrindindi Shire.
Murrindindi Shire Council Mayor Leigh Dunscombe said Australia Day is a great chance to celebrate all the things we love about Australia and an opportunity to recognise the contributions of extraordinary Australians.
'The panel of judges had to make some tough decisions as all the nominations we received for the 2020 Australia Day Awards were for truly committed and inspiring members of the community," Cr Dunscombe said.
"This year Sasha Barrow of Alexandra will be awarded Murrindindi Citizen of the Year at the Alexandra Australia Day ceremony. Ms Barrow, who you might know from the much-loved community space 'Embassy of Ideas', is an active volunteer for a number of community groups and committees.'
'At the Kinglake Australia Day ceremony, Logan McKimmie will receive the award for Murrindindi Shire Young Citizen of the Year following the remarkable $20,000 fundraising effort she led for the local 'Help for Wildlife' charity.'
'In Eildon, Sydney Savage will be awarded Murrindindi Shire Senior Citizen of the Year. As well as being a founding member of the Lions Club of Eildon, Mr Savage has served seven terms as its President and spent more than 40 years helping care for and promote the town and community of Eildon through this role, as well as in his own right.'
'We are very proud of all our Australia Day Award recipients – there can be no doubt they each deserve to be recognised for their contributions to our communities. It is people like Sasha Barrow, Logan McKimmie and Sydney Savage who make Murrindindi Shire such a special place to live,' Cr Dunscombe said.
'It will also be fantastic to have Australia Day Ambassadors Karen Livingstone AM, Dr Christine Durham and Huss Mustafa visiting and speaking at Australia Day events around Murrindindi Shire on the day. I really encourage you to get along to one of the events – you can find all the information for these here.'
"Thanks to everyone who has gotten involved in organising and running this year's events, and an especially big thank you to those hard-working community groups who go to so much effort to make Australia Day in Murrindindi Shire so exceptional every year," Cr Dunscombe added.
