Wednesday, 20 March 2024

Mansfield community achievements

Cindy McLEISH (Eildon) (09:44): Mansfield is a strong, vibrant and inclusive community that bats well above its weight in so many different areas. In the last couple of weeks it has hosted a number of incredibly well attended community events and many of the locals have received significant awards and well-deserved recognition.

Congratulations to Mel Kirley from the Mansfield Hunting and Fishing shop, who organised the Mansfield outdoor expo. The expo attracted an enormous crowd, with over 8000 visitors and more than 50 stalls, and was an absolute winner for local traders and exhibitors. Congratulations to Karen Pirie and the organisers of the Mansfield pottery festival, which included the Poets of Pottery exhibition, potters market and workshops. Congratulations to the organising committee of the Merrijig Rodeo, another sold-out event. The event continues to do well every year.

Local paramedic Jason Learmonth was a joint winner of the WorkSafe Health and Safety Representative of the Year for his work on ambulance driver fatigue in regional and rural areas. Local ag tech company AirAgri, owned by James and Paul Diamond, was awarded the Commitment to Workplace Health and Safety on a Farm WorkSafe award. Local golfer 87-year-old Perrin Gooding at Mansfield Golf Club scored a hole in one for the first time in 33 years. And the congratulations are not limited to adults. Local student 11-year-old Lara Hempenstall in December last year had a big hair chop, raising over $5000 for charity. Mansfield does so well. I am so proud to be their member.