Role models in environmental action, volunteering and advocacy have been recognised in Council's annual Community Awards.
The annual awards were handed out following a citizenship ceremony on 26 January at the Lilydale Civic Centre, where 60 people received their Australian citizenship.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Sophie Todorov, said many of the award recipients had demonstrated a lifelong commitment to their communities.
"It's been really heartening to read the nominations and citations for these selfless community members – hearing about the ways they've touched people's lives and worked hard to make things better in their corner of the world," Cr Todorov said.
"Some of our award winners have been volunteering, assisting, throwing their skills behind issues, since their early teenage years which is an example of dedication and commitment to community.
"We also have joint award winners for the Young Environmental Achiever Award – two fantastic young people who have managed to juggle their love of the environment with their studies and make their school communities better off for it.
"It really is such a beautiful thing that our award recipients, young and old, from all corners of our municipality, have done so much that others felt compelled to nominate them for such high recognition.
"I'd like to say a sincere congratulations to all of our award and certificate recipients. There are so many passionate people working constantly to help others and keep our community turning and we are so thankful for every minute of it."
Citizen of the Year: Sharyn Manning
Sharyn is a dedicated volunteer who has Lilydale always front-of-mind.
The secretary of the Lilydale Township Action Group (LTAG), she is passionate about making an impact and bringing about positive change. On top of getting grants and funding for projects in Lilydale through advocacy, she has personally arranged small changes in town that have a big impact on people's days. Local Christmas decorations, planter boxes outside stores and free community and family events are all projects Sharyn has spearheaded.
Receiving multiple nominations, which mentioned her work in helping beautify Main Street, work on LTAG projects and assist with community events such as the Street Fair, Sharyn is a beloved community member and a worthy recipient of the Citizen of the Year award.
Mayor's Lifetime Achievement: Alan Somers
Chirnside Park's Alan Somers has been contributing to his community for all of his life. A Youth Cadet with St Johns Ambulance at the age of 12, he later joined the Croydon Scouts Association with his son and took over duties to help run the group.
Helping to establish the Bone Marrow Institute of Australia's Croydon Branch with Les Willmott, Alan became their fundraising secretary, with more than one million dollars coming into the institute as a result of his work.
He was President of Yarra Ranges National Seniors for 12 years from 2006, and still quietly works to help the group achieve their goals. He has worked for groups like St Vincent de Paul and assisted communities in the aftermath of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires in Mallacoota and surrounds.
His efforts in fundraising, collecting goods and connecting vulnerable community members with support have helped countless people. His tireless work in the community also matches his commitment to his family and his children.
Young people in Lilydale benefitted from Alan's community service late last year, when he joined fellow LTAG members to make up 300 bags of lollies for Santa to hand out at the Melba Park Carols event.
Alan's nominator noted that, no matter how much pressure he is under, his demeanour is always relaxed and pleasant – something his coworkers and community group members greatly appreciate.
At eighty one years of age, he quietly and diligently keeps our community running and is always available to help others. Because of his extraordinary commitment, Alan is a worthy recipient of the Mayor's Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ian De La Rue Award for Community Leadership: Randall Bourchier
Randall Bourchier has had a tremendous impact on the community of Mooroolbark and surrounds over his life.
A Croydon local, Randall was one of the founders of the Mooroolbark Umbrella Group (MUG) in 2009, a group he remains President of. Through MUG, Randall encourages community members to network, communicate, share their skills and, most of all, support one another.
He was instrumental in establishing The Quiet Achiever Awards – which recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to the Mooroolbark Community – and leads this event as Master of Ceremonies.
Mindful of the work of others, he has enabled the continuation of the Good Gracious Network (formerly the Nourish Network) and Living Today in Mooroolbark when long-term Editor, Janet Van Dijk, retired.
In the aftermath of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, Randall was on the ground as a chaplain, and has remained an emergency chaplain in the 15 years since, and regularly lends his time and skills as a Master of Ceremonies for events such as Celebrate Mooroolbark and local Remembrance Day, ANZAC Day and Carols by Candlelight events.
For more than 35 years, Randall has been an approachable, empathetic and energised community leader. His work has inspired countless others to get involved in their community, and he has welcomed new volunteers, mentored them and helped them take the reins of initiatives.
His nominator noted that Randall is always present with words of wisdom, guidance, support, mentorship and encouragement. For these, and many more achievements, Randall is recipient of the Ian De La Rue Award for Community Leadership.
Community Group of the Year: Millgrove Residents Action Group
The Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) is a staple of the Upper Yarra Community.
For almost 20 years, MRAG has represented its community, in advocacy and in project delivery to make Millgrove a better, more accessible place to live, work and visit.
In the last year, MRAG has worked on, and finalised, a Community Resilience Plan – which features nine key projects to help the community become more resilient and fire-ready. A Community Open Day, held in collaboration with the local CFA, was held in October to update the community on the progress of the projects.
The advocacy of the group directly resulted in Council constructing the River Road Walking Trail, with ongoing maintenance being undertaken by MRAG as the Committee of Management. With this trail, and ongoing maintenance of the Dee Road Walking Trial, Millgrove is more accessible than ever for people wanting to explore nature and the riverside.
The group established a new Avenue of Honour and garden to recognise those who lost their lives in the First World War, and MRAG maintains the Memorial Reserve gardens.
MRAG hosted Clean Up Australia Day events, lobbied on behalf of local businesses during the Warburton Highway closure, organised monthly meetings, markets, trivia events and has a prolific social media presence, ensuring people in the Upper Yarra have a voice and a strong sense of community.
Community groups have a tremendous responsibility and power to raise the profile of their towns, the issues of locals and ideas for improving the region. MRAG has consistently proven that they have the care, passion and expertise to deliver results for their wonderful corner of the Upper Yarra.
For their significant and positive work, far too extensive to name here, they are again a worthy recipient of the Community Group of the Year Award.
Young Environmental Achiever: Lachlan Hudak and Sophie Morris
Lachlan
At the age of 17, Lachlan Hudak has already shown extraordinary care for the environment.
Currently one of the Sustainability Captains at Lilydale Heights College, he spent 2023 planning and running events with an environmental focus, including a bottle top collection competition between school houses; developing a sustainability lesson for all students during Sustainability Week and; a Sustainability in Art competition during the same week.
His awareness raising included designing a video explaining the circular economy during National Recycling Week and his work in the space included participating in an IDLE Off data collection with students from Monash University and the Eastern Alliance for Sustainable Learning (EASL). This project gathered data on cars idling in school pick up areas, to raise awareness of the health impacts of exhaust emissions and the impact on children's health.
He represented his school at the Resource Smart Schools Awards in June, where it was awarded Curriculum Leadership School of the Year for Secondary Schools.
His passion for the environment has taken a two-pronged approach of raising awareness and taking action – helping people understand why we need to do more for the environment, then assisting with the solution.
Lachlan's nominator noted that he is inclusive in his approach, listens to ideas and thoughts and incorporates the voice of others.
Lachlan is an incredibly deserving recipient of this joint award, as one of our Young Environmental Achievers. Congratulations, Lachlan.
Sophie
Sophie Morris has already established herself as a role model in the environmental space, at the age of 18.
Serving as Environmental Prefect at her school, she provided opportunities for students to connect and share ideas about living lighter on the earth, while also expanding the role and initiating a stronger student voice to leadership.
Her positive rapport with staff and students helped her to run many successful projects, and as a testament to her leadership, she helped other students to develop new skills and capacity to take on new ideas in her wake.
The Eastern Alliance for Sustainable Learning Sustainability Conference benefitted from her knowledge and passion, when she participated in the Q&A panel, in front of a large audience. Her ability to clearly articulate her thoughts and ideas in a high pressure setting speaks to the incredible confidence and skills she developed during her high school years, and the passion she has for the environment.
Her work has helped her school in its goal of becoming a 5 Star Resource Smart School, including a major project to increase membership of the Green Team and give students more opportunities to harness their love of the environment.
A vocal advocate, she has participated in the school's major revegetation projects, water reduction initiatives and video production to demonstrate the school's progress on environmental issues.
As a result of her outstanding leadership and exceptional care, Sophie is a deserving recipient of this joint award. Thank you, Sophie.
Certificate of Recognition: Bruce Argyle
Bruce Argyle is exceptionally well-known in the Healesville community, and for good reason. He has an extensive history of volunteering with local groups, the Community Bank, the local radio station and many others.
He is an inspirational leader who demonstrates respect, inclusivity and care in all of his work. Before and during the pandemic, Bruce's priority was building community capacity and reducing isolation and disadvantage, and many local groups have benefitted from Bruce's thoughts, time, work or support.
A powerful public speaker, Bruce is an instrumental part of the Healesville Toastmasters, where others gain the skills and confidence to take a podium or build up their capacity for speaking in front of crowds.
In recent years, Bruce worked with the Lions Club of Healesville to relocate and fit-out the new Community Radio Station in Lilydale Road. He has worked with Healesville Interchurch Community Care Inc (HICCI) to facilitate strategic planning days and bring about their 2028 Strategic Plan, and is currently working with the Badger Creek Hall Committee and wider community to develop a plan for the hall ahead of its Centenary in 2025.
Always delivering expert advice with a smile on his face and time in his calendar, Bruce is an asset to his town and a friend to countless others.
For many years of community service, he is a deserving recipient of this Certificate of Recognition.
Certificate of Recognition: Jean Steel
Jean is a powerful volunteer and beloved member of the Lilydale community.
A life member of the Lilydale Athenium after more than 30 years of volunteering, Jean's contributions to the group have been immortalised with a plaque inside the theatre. Her contributions with St Johns the Baptist Church also span more than three decades, and she continually finds opportunities to lend her time and skills to benefit others.
Families have benefitted from her work volunteering with a local playgroup, and she teaches weekly at a Community Craft group to pass her skills on to others.
She has helped to provide a free breakfast to Lilydale Primary School students as part of their Breaky Club, and always creates a warm, friendly and welcoming environment wherever she goes.
After a fight with breast cancer in 2023, Jean has managed to continue her community volunteering for the benefit of others. Her selflessness, especially in the face of an incredibly daunting illness, is an inspiration to others and the community members who nominated her for an award.
For steadfast community commitment, Jean is an incredible and well-deserving recipient of this Certificate of Recognition.
Certificate of Recognition: Veterans for Fishing
Ex-service people can face many issues returning to the community, finding a sense of social support and wellbeing and navigating complex mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Veterans for Fishing is a volunteer group of young veterans and ex-service people who have created a social welfare problem and a safe social outlet, which has already assisted hundreds of young veterans and their families.
Established as a sub-committee of the Mt Evelyn RSL Sub-branch, the program encourages participants to get outside to socialise and fish with people from similar backgrounds, all in a relaxed environment that supports their wellbeing. Having the formal program means that individual welfare needs can be heard and responded to.
As a result, veterans can learn skills, develop friendships and find a structured and supportive group, while improving their physical and mental health.
The program has been so successful it is being offered to first responders. Hundreds of people have benefitted from the program and many more will enjoy the benefits in future years.
To reflect this incredible and targeted community work, Veterans for Fishing is a worthy recipient of this Certificate of Recognition.
Cr Todorov said the Community Awards were an opportunity for Council to thank some of the many passionate community advocates across the region.
"We know that there are thousands of people locally who work to better our communities, week in, week out, and so many of those people rarely receive a proper thanks," she said.
"These awards are a small way that we at Council can give that thanks, to provide a platform for these people to get recognition across their community and further afield.
"I'm so proud of our award recipients, and all of our community members who officially became Australian citizens today. We live in an incredible part of the world and the people are what make it the wonderful place that it is.
"If you know someone really spectacular in the community, please take note and keep an eye for nominations opening later this year – and in the meantime, why not shout them a cuppa and say thanks."
