Achievers' day in the spotlight

Events which successfully brought the public together and helped raise funds and spirits in the region's many towns were also recognised with Community Event of the Year Awards.

Buloke Shire Council celebrated three winners this year.

Pam Wallace of Wycheproof was named Citizen of the Year for her dedication to sports and various organisations in Wycheproof including her involvement with the Evening Fellowship.

Mrs Wallace was the first female secretary of the Wycheproof Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and helped with catering for Wycheproof Murdoch House and fundraising events for East Wimmera Health Service.

Mikaela Christie of Birchip was named Young Citizen of the Year for her involvement with various school and extra-curricula activities including helping choreograph the school's performance for the Rock Eisteddfod challenge last year.

A year nine student at Birchip P-12 College, she is also president of Birchip Youth Group, member of the Buloke Shire Youth Advisory Panel and volunteers in the kitchen for the Uniting Church, Birchip Friends of the Library art show and sporting events.

The 2008 Victorian Women on Farm Gathering - Back to Basics at Berriwillock was named Community Event of the Year.

The citation for the event labelled it a `resounding success' which produced long-lasting outcomes for the township by strengthening social networks and helping people manage large projects.

Northern Grampians Shire Council awarded winners from its Stawell and Kara Kara wards.

Stawell ward winners were Joyce Matheson, Australia Day Citizen; Raising Dust, Australia Day Young Citizen; Lights and Sirens Ball, Community Event of the Year.

Kara Kara ward winners were Joan Williams, Australia Day Citizen; Matthew Goode, Australia Day Young Citizen; North Central St Arnaud Relay for Life, Community Event of the Year.

Hindmarsh Shire Council award winners were John Boehm of Dimboola, Australia Day Ambassador; and Meagan Pohlner of Dimboola, Australia Day Youth of the Year.

Yarriambiack Shire award winners were Bev Wall of Woomelang, Citizen of the Year; Jake Taylor of Rupanyup, Young Citizen of the Year; Y-Fest, Event of the Year.

Rupanyup award recipients were Barry Baker, Citizen of the Year; and Matthew Weidemann, Young Achiever of the Year.

Minyip Citizen of the Year was John Niewand, OAM. William Munro received the Pat Walsh Young Achiever Award for success in education, sport and community activities.

West Wimmera Shire Council Citizenship Award went to William `Jack' Cooney of Goroke. The award for best event went to Edenhope Lions Club for the Annual Convention of 2001 V2 District of Lions.

Ararat Rural City Council's Young Citizen of the Year was Simon Menz, Citizen of the Year was Dorothy Konig, Community Event of the Year was the Opportunity for Renewal event, and Community Fundraising Event of the Year was the Lake Bolac and District DNA Ball which raised $101,500 for the Ballarat Cancer Research Centre.

Tiffany McKnight accepted the Southern Grampians Shire Community Event of the Year award on behalf of the Dunkeld Workgroup for the Great Victorian Bike Ride stop-over in Dunkeld.

Mrs McKnight said the group consisted of 10 representatives of community groups and businesses, and they raised more than $10,000 for the community from the event.

Horsham Rural City Council award winners were Brian Murray, Citizen of the Year; Gervaise Christie, Young Citizen of the Year; Horsham Arts Council production of Cats, Community Event of the Year; Infant Memorial Garden launch, Highly Commended Community Event.