Residents, friends, family and visitors celebrated everything that's great about living in Australia at this year's Federation Council Australia Day celebrations. The sun shined down on the crowd that were joined by Australia Day Ambassadors Ralph and Kathy Kelly, Federation Council representatives and the Rotary Club of Corowa to participate in festivities at Bangerang Park in Corowa on January 26.
Ralph and Kathy Kelly, founders of the Thomas Kelly Foundation delivered an inspirational address speaking about their eldest son Thomas, who was 18 years old when he died in tragic circumstances in July 2012, in Sydney's Kings Cross. Determined not to let a similar fate happen twice, the Kelly family established the Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation implementing the 'Take Kare Safe Space' (Take Kare is after Thomas Kelly's initials) program in December 2014, with a vision of 'ensuring all of our youth come home safely'. Operating Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm – 4am with teams of volunteers across three key sites, assisting people who may be intoxicated, or drug affected, under age youth, people who are vulnerable or those subjected to physical and sexual assault, self-harm, violence and theft. The Foundation works closely with emergency services, the liquor industry and local communities in order to share the common vision of saving lives.
The Kelly's vision is to take kindness to every corner of Australia, something they are undoubtedly achieving.
In his welcome address, Federation Council Mayor, Cr Pat Bourke said on Australia Day we celebrate all the things we love about Australia; land, sense of fair go, lifestyle, democracy, the freedoms we enjoy, and particularly our people.
"Today we celebrate our people, the people of Federation Council who go above and beyond in their respective areas to ensure our communities thrive and grow. Our awards nominees here with us today are very special people, whose donation of time and effort warrants this type of special celebration. I am so proud of our community and those in it who continue to go above and beyond in their respective areas to ensure our communities thrive and grow, especially in the midst of such challenging times."
Council would like to congratulate all the award recipients and nominees for the 2022 Federation Council Australia Day Awards.
*2022 Citizens of the Year: Dean and Lauren Holgate of Mulwala.
Dean and Lauren Holgate have been in business at the Lake Mulwala Bakery for almost 12 years. They are among the most generous and community minded people, they have devoted themselves to their craft as bakers and shop keepers. They have a deep desire to serve their community whole heartedly, not just to make money for their own sake, but to make a difference over all to the community.
This couple are generous at heart and have make considerable contributions towards local schools, sporting clubs, the Lion Club other local businesses and numerous community fundraising events.
Their shop is a place where the community and local organisations gather for meetings, friends and family can get together where there is such a warm and friendly atmosphere.
*2022 Community Group of the Year: Country Womens Association – Oaklands.
CWA are a liked-minded group of women, of various ages, working to achieve the aims of the CWA Association. Primary at the head of those aims is the desire to improve conditions & welfare of all women and families especially in country areas. By bringing women and families together, a network of support is formed, along with a forum for the voice of all women in the ACT & NSW. CWA support schemes which enhance the value of country living, especially health & educational facilities. They encourage development in regional areas & work to increase the viability of rural communities and the environment. CWA provide a voice to Government at all levels and promote International goodwill, friendship, understanding & tolerance between all people.
*2022 Local Achievers of the Year: Kerrie Ormond of Corowa, Fran Weidner of Howlong and Dean and Lauren Holgate of Mulwala.
*Student Achievement Awards Winners:
Corowa High School: Carter Read – Outstanding Citizenship and Palais O'Keefe – Academic Excellence.
Corowa Public School: Max Delamere– School Leadership & Citizenship and Harrison Le Lievre – Citizenship Award.
Corowa South Public School: Harrison Webb – Outstanding Leadership & Academic Excellence and Maddison Ryan - Outstanding Leadership & Academic Excellence.
Howlong Public School: Ella McDonell – Outstanding Sporting Achievement & Citizenship and Nate Gray – Academic Excellence.
Lowesdale Public School: Albie Wood – Academic Excellence and Oliver McLellan – Academic Excellence.
Oaklands Central School: Amelia Moloney – Outstanding Citizenship & Leadership and Dayna Carter – Outstanding Citizenship.
Rand Public School: Emily Kreutzberger – Outstanding Citizenship and Hazel Trethowan – Outstanding Citizenship.
St. Francis Xavier Urana: Philippa Coghill - Sporting Endeavours, Olivia Fealy - Academic Persistence & Efforts and Abhi Yaramati - Academic Achievements & Efforts.
St. Mary's Catholic Primary School: Max Leahy – Outstanding Citizenship and Levi Phibbs – Outstanding Sporting Achievement.
Urana Public School: Hunter Bell – Citizenship Award and Melissa Smith – Outstanding Sporting Achievement.
*Light Up Federation Award Winners:
Best Decorated House: Lisa Edmonds of Corowa.
Best Decorated Street: O'Brien Court, Corowa.
Best Decorated Business: Court House Kitchen, Howlong.
Council would also like to thank the Rotary Club of Corowa for their event management support.
