The winners of the Macedon Ranges Community Awards 2025 have been officially announced, with inspiring individuals and groups recognised for their contributions to the shire.
Held at the Kyneton Town Hall on Thursday 22 May in National Volunteer Week, the event celebrated outstanding efforts across eight award categories, as part of a newly consolidated format combining the former awards in January and Youth Awards in September into one flagship celebration.
Nominees were put forward by the community through a public process earlier this year, then assessed by a panel and scored according to three weighted criteria relating to impact to the community, alignment to Council goals and equity of recognition.
Mayor Dom Bonanno congratulated all the nominees and award recipients, saying the night highlighted the strength and heart of the Macedon Ranges.
"These awards are a testament to the incredible people who passionately and consistently make our shire a better place. Their stories reflect a community that values compassion, connection, and contribution," he said.
"Volunteers are not paid, not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless. Congratulations to all the winners in each of the categories, but also more broadly to all the nominees and those who took the time to nominate them."
The awards acknowledge a wide range of achievements, from grassroots environmental initiatives and inclusive arts programs to youth leadership and community sport.
The evening also served as a reminder of the essential role of volunteers and changemakers across the shire – people who continue to lead with generosity, creativity, and care.
The winners and their categories were:
Youth Leadership Award: Emily Danister
This award is presented to individuals or groups aged 12-25 who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, advocacy, or service to youth in the Macedon Ranges.
Emily was recognised for her volunteering to support local single mothers, younger students in dance and with local Aboriginal leaders in caring for Country. Bonnie Saunders was also nominated for her notable advocacy and achievements in gender equality in trades and vocational training.
Young Citizen of the Year Award: Aidan Hunter
This award is presented to a young person aged 12-25 who has made a significant contribution to their community and demonstrates community service in the Macedon Ranges.
Aidan was recognised for his contributions towards scouting with 1st Gisborne Scout Group, volunteering with Bullengarook CFA and his cadet achievements. Julia Stockdale, also a member of 1st Gisborne Scout Group, was nominated for her contribution towards supporting younger children in scouting activities, sporting club involvement and volunteering.
Contribution to the Environment Award: Vince Mulkerin
This award is presented to an individual or group who has made a significant contribution in the areas of protection of the natural environment, such as biodiversity, climate change and waste reduction.
Vince was nominated for his work with the Riddells Creek Cool Changes project. Donna Coutts was also nominated in recognition of her leadership of the GROW Festival of Regenerative Food and Farming.
Contribution to Community Arts Award: Macedon Ranges Accessible Arts Inc.
This award is presented to an individual or group who has made a significant contribution to community in the areas of arts and culture.
Macedon Ranges Accessible Arts Inc is an outstanding example of inclusive community arts in action. Since its founding in 2022, MRAAI has worked to increase access to the arts for people living with disability, neurodivergent individuals, and LGBTQIA+ artists in regional Victoria.
Contribution to Sports and Wellbeing Award: Kyneton Women's Football Club
This award is presented to an individual or club who has made a significant contribution to community in the areas of sports and wellbeing.
Kyneton Women's Football Club prioritises holistic wellbeing through leadership development, mental health advocacy, and partnerships with organisations like Proud2Play, and Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health. Their proactive work in creating inclusive spaces – particularly for women, LGBTIQA+ people, First Nations groups and those from diverse backgrounds – demonstrates courage and innovation in community sport.
Kyneton Obedience Dog Club was also nominated for its contribution to social connection through dog walking and training.
Inclusive Communities Award: Birds of a Feather program at Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health
This award is presented to an individual or group whose work promotes harmony and understanding of others and has made a significant contribution to helping to build a more inclusive community in the Macedon Ranges.
Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health's Birds of a Feather Program was recognised for its work in improving social connectedness and equity for older LGBTIQA+ people in the community.
Other nominees included Lesleigh McCloy, nominated in recognition of her work with Council's Social Support and Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme programs; and Lynne Margret, nominated in recognition of her work with the Gisborne Foodbank and teaching English through the Australia Migrant English Program.
Community Event of the Year Award: Kyneton Agricultural Show
This award is presented to an individual or group for the most outstanding community event of the year that involved significant community organisation, participation and attendance, resulting in a substantial impact across the shire.
This popular award category saw the Kyneton Agricultural Show deemed a worthy winner, alongside fellow nominees Donna Coutts (GROW Festival of Regenerative Food and Farming); Gisborne and District Lions Club (Gisborne Festival); Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health (Puppy Pride); the Veg Action Group, of the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group (Edgy Veg Awards); Vince Mulkerin (Riddells Creek Enviro-Energy Expo); and the Woodend Farmers' Market, of the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group.
Citizen of the Year Award: Greg Snart
This award is presented to an individual of any age who has made an extraordinary contribution to the Macedon Ranges community and has demonstrated community service over many years.
Greg was recognised for his advocacy for community fire safety and emergency response, municipal fire planning and youth mental health. Other nominees included:
- Dr Annamarie Perlesz, in recognition of her advocacy and support of women, women's health, older members of the community and her leadership with the Zonta Club of Kyneton
- Gillian Metz, in recognition of her leadership in Emergency Response through the Riddells Creek CFA
- Lulu Cockram, in recognition of her contribution through Macedon Ranges Red Cross Emergency Services and Woodend Rotary
- Simon Hayward, in recognition of his contribution to community safety and emergency response as Captain of Bullengarook CFA.
View a photo gallery of some of the proceedings and winners below:
NB: A photo of Community Event of the Year winners, Kyneton Agricultural Show, is still to come and should be up soon. Absent on the night was the winner of the Contribution to the Environment Award, Vince Mulkerin, and the winner of the Contribution to Community Arts Award, Macedon Ranges Accessible Arts Inc.
