General News
24 November, 2022
Locals honoured in volunteer awards
LONG-TERM volunteer Janine Box has taken out an accolade in the Wannon Sport and Volunteer Awards.
LONG-TERM volunteer Janine Box has taken out an accolade in the Wannon Sport and Volunteer Awards.
Member for Wannon Dan Tehan announced the award recipients at a ceremony in Warrnambool last week.
Ms Box from Purrumbete was presented an award under the Long Term Commitment to Community Service category.
She was recognised for her volunteering efforts with the Camperdown Horse Trials and Heytesbury Horse Trials, where she bakes and prepares meals, snacks for riders, guests, and ensures the cross-country course is safe and inviting for both horse and rider.
In addition, she has purchased decorations and even grown flowers to decorate thejumps with.
Ms Box was commended for giving so much of her time to whatever is needed around these two events, which is very much appreciatedby all.
Mercy Regional College’s clay target shooting team took out an award in the Team Achievement – Secondary School category.
The Mercy Regional College clay target shooting team won the Victorian Clay Target Association school regional shoot in Noorat against tough competition from Hamilton, Ballarat, and Warrnambool.
They went on to place second at the State School Championships, where they shot exceptionally.
Camperdown College’s lawn bowls team also received an award in the Team Achievement – Secondary School category.
Camperdown College competed in the team event at the SSV Lawn Bowls State Championship.
The boys won the regional event in Ararat and earned the opportunity to compete at the state competition in Melbourne.
The four boys had a wonderful day, winning their pool matches and finals to be crowned the senior boys state champions.
Throughout the tournament, the team showed leadership and sportsmanship, continually celebrating the success of other teams and their own, which spectators and staff noted.
Mr Tehan was pleased to be able to hold the awards with last year’s held via video.
“The awards honour an exceptional group of volunteers and sportspeople and the contribution that they make in our local community,” he said.
“The sport awards acknowledge Wannon athletes and individuals for their outstanding achievements or commitment to sport.
“This year we are celebrating the wonderful success of our younger athletes with 10 awards and three awards recognising club stalwarts.”
Guest speaker Clyde Sefton inspired attendees with his passion and success as a road racing cyclist.
He won silver at the Munich Olympics in 1972 and gold at the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch in 1974.
As one of the giants of Australian cycling, “efficiency and results were what his rivals remember him for, some even jokingly called him ‘Jack,’ as in ‘I’m all right Jack’.”
The volunteer awards recognise and celebrate the individuals or groups who have inspired others and enriched their local community through their contributions.
Mr Tehan said the “volunteer awards bring me immense joy as we celebrate our wonderful volunteers and publicly acknowledge, thank, and celebrate them for their selfless service”.
“Our volunteers serve in so many different capacities from helping local sporting teams, to responding to natural disasters, such as the recent floods, to helping our charities or helping our most disadvantaged,” he said.
“Their contribution helps build and shape our local communities and make Wannon an incredibly special place to live.”
Joining Mr Tehan as guest speaker for the volunteer awards was Madi Bennett.
Ms Bennett has made a significant contribution in raising awareness of Huntington’s disease, a rare and inherited neurological degenerative condition.
She sits on the volunteer committee for Huntington’s Victoria and helps to raise vital funds for research and is instrumental in continuing to raise awareness of the disease.
