Twenty-nine new citizens have been officially welcomed to the shire, while local groups and residents have also been recognised for outstanding contributions to the community.
A Council event combining a formal citizenship ceremony and the annual Australia Day Awards was held at Kyneton Town Hall this morning, with award categories reflecting Council's Community Vision:
- Connecting Communities Award: An individual or group who has made a significant contribution to community life either through physical connections such as trails, paths, open spaces or other infrastructure that enables the community to connect and participate, or social connections that ensure people have access to services and which create a sense of community and belonging.
- Healthy People and Healthy Environment Award: Awarded to a group or individual who has made a significant contribution to promoting healthy lifestyles for all ages and abilities such as supporting mental health, recreation, community safety or arts and culture, or promotes protection of the natural environment such as biodiversity, climate change and waste reduction.
- Business and Tourism Award: Awarded to a group or individual who has demonstrated a significant achievement or ongoing community contribution to the economic vitality of the shire, including tourism, agribusiness, small business and local employment.
- Citizen of the Year: An individual who has made a significant contribution to the community in the past year or has demonstrated community service over a period of time.
Award winners
More information about each of the winners is available via the links below.
- Connecting Communities Award: Romsey Ecotherapy Park Committee
- Healthy People and Healthy Environment Award: Woodend Masters Football Club and Friends of Daly Nature Reserve (joint winners)
- Business and Tourism Award: Matthew Barry, Woodend
- Citizen of the Year: Sue Anderson, Gisborne
Quotes attributable to Mayor Annette Death, Macedon Ranges Shire Council:
"Council extends a very warm welcome to all of our newest Australian citizens who have chosen the Macedon Ranges as the place to complete their citizenship journey. We wish them all good health and happiness in the years to come."
"I'd like to congratulate recipients of Australia Day Awards and thank them for their outstanding contributions to our community. We could not achieve everything we do without the amazing efforts of those in our community who give so much and do not ask for reward in return."
