Tuesday, 18 February 2025

Yarra Ranges community awards

Bridget VALLENCE (Evelyn) (13:25): The Yarra Ranges community awards on Australia Day celebrated some outstanding contributions of volunteers in our community. Harry Moyle and Sue Thompson were jointly awarded the Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award – two people who have had a great impact in our local community. Harry dedicated almost three decades to volunteering his financial expertise to Caladenia Dementia Care in Mooroolbark and was instrumental in developing Caladenia’s organisational direction and financial governance. Sue Thompson is a keen historian and local advocate, instrumental in forming the Lilydale museum – now the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum – ensuring local artefacts and photographs can be preserved for future generations. The community leadership award was presented to Eddie Tichelaar for his tireless and much-valued efforts supporting the Montrose community in a variety of ways, including through the township group and as a liaison for the road infrastructure upgrades, as a 45-year CFA volunteer firefighter and as an historian at the Montrose community cottage. Community Group of the Year Award was awarded to Holy Fools, with Neal Taylor and his dedicated team of volunteers hosting weekly community lunches and providing support packages to people experiencing homelessness. Environmental Achiever of the Year Debbie Shaw and Young Citizen of the Year Jarvis Lewis-James were recognised for their tremendous work in turning around the fortunes of Candlebark Community Nursery in Mooroolbark, with Debbie transforming the organisation by growing volunteer numbers and propagating indigenous plant species and Jarvis supporting bushland planting days along the Warburton trail, amongst other things. Congratulations all.