Tatura’s Australia Day celebrations highlighted the heart of the town — its people.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
From volunteers to sports stars, the event showcased those who make the community stronger, kinder and more connected.
This year, Citizens of the Year were John Sullivan, Judy Forster, and Declan Tyson, recognised for outstanding contributions to the district.
Cam Scorey was honoured for charity work in organising the Community Event of the Year, while sports award winners Matthew Rennie, Tanner Miller, and Dianne Downie also made a lasting impact on the sporting communities they are involved with.
Australia Day Committee chairman Alex Ranson said it was an incredible celebration overall, with all award recipients showing enormous dedication to excellence.
He also noted that the volunteers form the backbone of the event and deserve recognition for their efforts.
Here is what Alex had to say about the celebrations and the event, followed by a Q&A with a couple of the award winners.
Contributed by Alex Ranson
Every year, Kaye Watson attends in a voluntary capacity with her camera to record the event and Robin Sharp, after being away from his bagpipes for some time due to illness, readily agreed to pipe in the flag when asked.
Peter Reid walks the main street, delivering flags to the business houses and asking them to advertise the brochure in their windows, while Cindy Doherty, our singer, volunteers each year to add a happy note to the proceedings.
Vince Vincitorio, a member of the RSL and 2025 Senior Citizen Awardee, stepped up to carry the flag in the absence of the Military Cadets, and despite the tight deadline after Christmas, Rodney Printers prints the program each year, and it is always on time.
The Lions Club does a fantastic job cooking and providing sausages and bacon and egg rolls for the 300-plus guests and the CWA supports the Committee in the kitchen.
The work behind-the-scenes often goes unnoticed.
Secretary Rob Cruickshank, treasurer Glenys Eberle, and councillor and MC Rod Schubert all play important roles in the smooth running and success of the day.
And let us not forget the passionate, hard work of the Australia Day Committee, which each year welcomes the challenge of improving on the previous year’s success.
It could not happen without the support and donations of local businesses and clubs, so thank you to all involved.
Our guest speakers, where possible, are past residents of Tatura who have gone on to achieve great things in their careers, and this year was no exception with Dom Bagnato.
Dom began his apprenticeship in clothing design with Tony Causcelli Jean Factory back in the ’60s-’70s. He now makes suits for the world’s rich and famous.
There is no doubt the secret to the success of our Australia Day is the community spirit that exists within the town.
Tanner Miller - Junior Sports Award of the Year (under-18)
How did it feel to win the Junior Sports Award for Greater Shepparton?
It felt great, it was a real privilege.
Did you celebrate the award in any special way?
We went and got cold rock ice-cream with my family then I went home to relax.
What does a typical week look like for you with training, games, school, and other commitments?
My weeks are pretty full-on at the moment. On Monday nights I have Deb training, although normally that would be Bushrangers training. Tuesdays are spent at cricket training with the Tatura Cricket Club, before heading to Wangaratta on Wednesdays for Bushrangers training.
Thursdays see me back in Tatura for more cricket training, and every second Friday I’m in Wangaratta again for Bushrangers. On Friday nights I also play under-16s junior cricket for Tatura.
Saturday is game day for Tatura A-Grade cricket, and if there’s any energy left by Sunday, I’ll try to squeeze in a round of golf.
During the week I balance it all with school and a school-based apprenticeship, working Mondays and Wednesdays as well.
Who or what inspires you to keep improving as a footballer and teammate?
The people around me and my close mates and family.
What has been the proudest moment in your football journey so far?
Winning a game with Tatura under-18s after 1194 days, and also making my senior debut last year.
How do you balance sport with school and other activities?
Ummm I don’t really. I just wait for school to be over so I can focus on my sport!
You’ve represented the Murray Bushrangers and now selected for the 2026 Under-18s – what are your goals for the future in football?
Just to play the best footy I can and make sure I enjoy it.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank for supporting you along the way?
My family, my friends and the Tat footy club and the Tat cricket club for all the opportunities.
Off the field, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Playing golf and going swimming.
How do you hope to inspire or support other young athletes in Tatura?
To help them in any way possible and to help them to enjoy their footy.
Matthew Rennie - Sports Award of the Year
How did it feel to win the Sports Award for Tatura, and what was that moment like for you?
Winning the Sports Award for Tatura was an incredibly proud and humbling moment.
To be recognised by a community that has supported me for so long meant a lot to me. I didn’t really expect it, and it will be something I’ll always remember.
Did you celebrate the award in any special way?
The Australia Day ceremony was the celebration for me and my family and it was good to catch up with people I haven’t seen in a while.
What does life look like for you at the moment – your routine, work, sport, and other commitments?
Life is pretty busy at the moment. Three days a week I am up at 4am heading down to Melbourne for a football training session (American football through Prokick) in the morning, and then I’ll head home to work at the Tatura pool, which I’m working at almost every day.
Fitting in gym and recovery every day is also just as important to me and can be a bit of a challenge, but I enjoy my structure and like to stay organised.
Who or what inspires you to keep striving in sport and in life?
My biggest inspiration in sport and in life is my Dad. Growing up, I’ve always watched how hard he’s worked and how committed he’s been to everything he does.
He’s shown me that success doesn’t come overnight — it comes from turning up every day, putting in the effort, and staying patient even when things are tough.
Seeing how his hard work has paid off over time has really shaped my mindset. Whenever training gets hard or things don’t go my way, I think about him, and it pushes me to keep going and give my best.
What has been the biggest challenge or proudest moment in your sporting journey so far?
My proudest sporting moment so far would have to be winning the Abikhair Medal. I was surprised I won it and I felt proud to represent the Tatura Football Club after a long season. It was good to be rewarded for the hard work and dedication that I put in.
Also big thanks to the team, coaches and supporters that year for making it enjoyable and helping me along the way.
What are your plans or goals for the next few years in sport and beyond?
My goal is to continue improving and pushing myself to the next level in sport, I am hoping to move oversees and play College Football in America, this has been my main focus for about a year now.
Also, focusing on personal growth outside of this. Continue learning and developing in the things I enjoy and see where that takes me.
How do you balance your sporting commitments with school, work, or other responsibilities?
Try to stay organised, prioritising what is important and always making sure I have time to rest and recover when needed.
It has become a little easier since finishing my Degree in Myotherapy so now that study is out the way. I can practise and just focus on work and sport.
Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you reach this point?
All my previous football coaches, teammates and the Tatura community for always supporting me and encouraging me to push to the next levels.
The Tatura CFA has been a big part of my life and sport career. Some of the best people to be around and always willing to help out when needed.
Also, my close friends and family, who are willing to help me in any way they can and always make sure I’m focused and pushing myself to be the best version of me that I can be.
Outside of sport, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
At the moment I don’t really do much else. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and going out camping and fishing.
How do you hope to give back to the Tatura community or inspire others through your achievements?
I hope I can give back by being a positive role model and showing others that hard work and dedication can pay off.
If I can inspire even one person to chase their goals, that would mean a lot to me.