Kyabram Citizen of the Year in 1991: Kyabram Free Press managing editor Ian Purdey was named the winner of the community award 32 years ago. He is with children Tim, Gemma, Celia and Allison, along with wife Julie.
Kyabram, Tongala, Girgarre and Stanhope communities will name their leading citizens and community groups for 2022 at Australia Day ceremonies tomorrow (January 26).
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Kyabram will be first cab off the rank on a busy schedule which includes seven ceremonies in the Kyabram area and several others within the boundaries of the Campaspe Shire.
The John Pillley Reserve event will start at 8am, while the Girgarre event starts at 8.30am and Stanhope award winners will be recognised at 9.30am.
Tongala’s ceremony starts at 11am, while Kyvalley is hosting a barbecue lunch from 12.15pm and Wyuna has an evening event at 6.30pm.
The Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Group of the Year awards have a significant history in the Campaspe Shire, carrying on from the history which began with the leading identities of the former shires of Kyabram, Rochester and Deakin being recognised by the local government authority.
Sports stars have been recognised through the years for their outstanding on-field results, while the names of community leaders who have gone above and beyond to contribute to their towns are on an impressive list of names.
The Free Press camera will be aiming to bring you the results from half a dozen of the Campaspe Shire events, which stretch from Lockington to Wyuna and Echuca to Stanhope, starting first thing in the morning and ending with evening barbecues at the Wyuna and Koyuga halls.
Amid the national debate about what date Australia Day should be recognised, there will also be a series of “new’’ Australians receiving their citizenship paperwork.
In Kyabram area alone there are people from half a dozen different nationalities involved in the Echuca ceremony.
Inside next week’s edition will be all the winners and the stories of their extraordinary contributions to their communities.
Tongala Australia Day awards 2010: Claire Keating, Jordan Souter and Bev Williams were recognised for their community and sporting achievements 13 years ago at the Tongala ceremony.
AUSTRALIA DAY IN CAMPASPE SHIRE
Echuca-Moama 7am-10am
At Hopwood Gardens with awards presentation and Welcome to Country by Uncle Rick Ronnan.
Rochester 7am-8.30am
Lions Club and Australia Day committee hosting event at Rochester Lions Park.
Kyabram 8am-10am
At John Pilley Reserve at Kyabram Fauna Park, with entertainment and awards presentation.
Girgarre 8.30am-10.30am
At the memorial hall for a barbecue breakfast and music.
Stanhope 9.30am
At Stanhope Community Hall, with flag raising at McEwen Place and guest speakers.
Tongala 11am
At Tongala Public Hall with awards presentation and barbecue lunch.
Rushworth at noon
At Rushworth Village Green with live entertainment and awards presentation.
Kyvalley 12.15pm-1.15pm
At Community Park, co-ordinated by the Kyvalley Swimming Club, with the pool open from noon until 3pm.
Koyuga 5pm-9pm
At the memorial hall with indoor and outdoor games, along with the annual yabby races.
Wyuna 6.30pm
At the memorial hall, with a flag raising ceremony and community barbecue.
Still going strong: Win Crilly's presence in Allan St, behind a card table with Henley Friends raffle tickets, is almost as assured as a summer heat wave in Kyabram. She was named the Kyabram Citizen of the Year in 1992, celebrating the award with her family.
Junior Citizen of the Year: Former Kyabram Free Press journalist Matt McMaster-Smith won the Junior Citizen of the Year in 1990, sharing the honour with his mother Leonie and grandmother Joyce.
Thirty three years ago: Robert, Kay and Peter Dawson, and husband Bob, shared the moment with Tongala's Nance Dawson when she won the Citizen of the Year award in 1990. Bob only recently celebrated his 102nd birthday and still lives in Tongala.
Dual winner: Sue Meeking (centre) with her family Luke, Erin, Ross and Kara (Ryan was absent) after winning both the Kyabram and Campaspe shire Citizen of the Year awards in 2009.
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