General News
31 January, 2023
Australia Day honours for 2023
COBDEN’S Willoughby Perris was named as the Young Citizen of the Year at last week’s Corangamite Shire Australia Day Awards.
COBDEN’S Willoughby Perris was named as the Young Citizen of the Year at last week’s Corangamite Shire Australia Day Awards.
Willoughby became the second Perriss sibling to be named Young Citizen of the Year after sister, Matilda, received the laurel in 2019.
He has led by example as a school captain at Cobden Technical School through his involvement as co-MC in the Anzac Commemoration Joint Community Project, raised vital funds and encouraged positive mental health through a Push Up Challenge and offered his school’s involvement in Cobden’s “Volunteers Re-Unite” event – encouraging the SRC and staff to cater for more than 90 volunteers in a celebratory dinner.
Willoughby said giving back to the community was ingrained in his family’s culture.
“We believe it’s necessary to give back to the community,” he said.
“It’s important for young people in particular to support the community.
“It’s pretty hard to find people willing to give their time but time is the most important thing you can give to the community.
“I feel better knowing I’m contributing. You meet some amazing people. You’ve got to make those connections.”
Noorat’s Brendan Williams was named Corangamite Shire’s 2023 Citizen of the Year.
The highly-successful return of the Colour Terang Festival also nabbed a shire award, earning the Community Event of the Year Award after drawing thousands of visitors to Terang for the event and creating an economic boon for local retailers.
The awards were presented at the official Australia Day event last week, held at the Noorat Recreation Reserve with Australia Day ambassador Greg Sassella providing a keynote address.
Mr Williams has been an active volunteer across a number of organisations and community events for more than 30 years.
He said the award was “humbling and a great honour”.
“Volunteering isn’t something you do for personal accolades,” Mr Williams said.
“At the same time it’s wonderful to have it acknowledged that what you’re doing is worthwhile and your contribution is valued by the community.
“I’d like to pay tribute to all the other nominees and thank them for everything they do to make their communities, and our shire, a wonderful place to live.”
Corangamite Shire mayor Ruth Gstrein congratulated the winners and 31 recipients of Australia Day achievement awards.
“We are very fortunate to have such dedicated community champions in our shire,” she said.
“They all give generously of their time to benefit their towns and our wider community.
“Today we formally acknowledge their contribution and also recognise all of the unsung heroes across the shire who work tirelessly to help make Corangamite a connected and thriving community.”
In addition to the awards, the efforts of a diverse number of residents and organisations were also acknowledged in achievement:
• Jim Anderson, Derrinallum;
• Bill Berry, Timboon;
• Andrew Bodman, Skipton;
• Alison Byrne, Camperdown;
• Matthew Coverdale, Bostocks Creek;
• Sanjan Dawson, Skipton;
• Georgie Green, Skipton;
• Paul Hay, Terang;
• Sue Hunneybell, Skipton;
• Gary Kimber, Cobden;
• Laura Leslie, Skipton;
• Vicki Marr, Glenormiston;
• Margaret Moloney, Terang;
• Jan Murphy, Skipton;
• Anna Nash, Skipton;
• Gabrielle O’Brien, Terang;
• Faye Phillips, Noorat;
• John Peeters, Skipton;
• Kim Pringuer, Cobden;
• Denise Robertson, Cobden;
• Neville Robertson, Cobden;
• Peter Smith, Skipton;
• Jake Burleigh, Lismore;
• Keely Clark, Skipton;
• Patrick Gowans, Skipton;
• Abbie Hanks, Jancourt East;
• Monthly ‘What’s Noo?’, Doug and Kerrie Pollard Noorat;
• Tenth Anniversary of TOPS, Timboon;
• Pandemic First Responders Free BBQ and Mini Golf Fun Day, Cobden;
• Skipton Football Netball Club, Skipton; and
• Skipton Flood preparation and clean-up — Skipton Youth, Skipton.
