Community
17 April, 2025
Dedication recognised
AN influx of nominations for this year’s Rotary Club of Terang Community Service Awards saw some of Terang’s most beloved figures recognised for their tireless dedication to enriching their community.
Dr Tim Fitzpatrick, Christine Hoare, Linda Fudge, Justin Staunton and Latte on High were recognised as this year’s award recipients at a dinner at the Civic Hall Rose Room on Tuesday night.
Committee director Wayne Reicha said there had been an overwhelming number of nominations for the awards this year which made the choice of narrowing down recipients a difficult decision.
“We did the advertising in the Terang Express in April and we had many responses from the community,” he said.
“It made it difficult to select the nominees from such a wonderful group of candidates from all over.”
Dr Tim Fitzpatrick was recognised for his 34 years of providing “wonderful care and service with such a big smile”.
“A lot of people nominated Dr Fitzpatrick, who has been a doctor since 1991,” Mr Reicha said.
“He’s the last of our long-standing doctors we’ve had here as we’ve got a new generation.
“He always greets everyone – you always see him riding his bike around town with such a big smile.
“Nothing was too much trouble for him and he involved himself in a lot around town, particularly cricket as a long-time player for the Terang Cricket Club, and now in retirement he can work on bringing down the golf handicap he’s been working on for a while.
“A lot of us are going to miss his wonderful demeanour and the smile he brought to the town.”
Christine Hoare was recognised for decades of volunteering which spanned across a wide variety of groups, organisations and sporting leagues.
“She has, for many, years volunteered her time to the town in many aspects – whether that was selling raffle tickets for many organisations or just taking people around town a coffee or a cake,” Mr Reicha said.
“I remember when I played basketball she was umpiring, so over 40 years of umpiring.
“She also helped as the secretary of the Terang Swimming Club, and ran those programs for a long time.
“She was also a leader in Terang Scouts.
“One of the biggest things though is she volunteered for over 15 years at May Noonan Aged Care Centre, helping out with the gardens or whatever they needed.”
Linda Fudge was named a recipient for excellence in service through her dedication to supporting customers who visit the deli at the Terang IGA Co-Op.
“She’s been at the Co-Op for 25 years and a lot of people think she’s willing to help more than what is expected,” Mr Reicha said.
“She helps to advise people if they want to host a party with selections or making a package for them, whether that’s for a club or a home or an organisation.
“She’s done so much more than just serving behind the counter.”
Justin Staunton was also recognised with a Voluntary Service Award, in part due to everyone’s familiarity with his voice reverberating through the speakers at events year in and year out.
“Everyone knows Justin – he’s known as the voice of events throughout town,” Mr Reicha said.
“He’s spent more than 30 years as the voice of the Noorat Show, the Fun Run and Gala Night.
“You hear the voice coming through, adding a bit of humour, talking to people and interviewing people – he always makes it a fun day.
“A lot of people wanted to recognise him for his voluntary time.”
Latte on High was named this year’s Business Service Award winner, with owner Bev Carroll in attendance to receive the award.
“Particularly during COVID-19, Bev and Toby at Latte on High were always giving out meals and supporting those who were vulnerable,” Mr Reicha said.
“They got nominated for their efforts to make sure everyone was looked after throughout the community, to make sure they got a good meal if they were unwell or couldn’t cook.
“They’re excellent in catering and operating the cafe, but their generosity is a side note everyone gets to see.”
Mr Reicha congratulated this year’s recipients for their well-deserved recognition.
“We want to be able to give these people credit because there are so many unseen people who do a lot of work,” he said.
“This is a way of giving back for those deserving – they don’t expect it, but they are nominated because people want to thank them for what they do.
“There are a lot of people who do voluntary work and there’s a lot people we would like to thank, but hopefully in time we’ll be able to thank everyone who deserves it.”
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