Yarriambiack Shire Council is proud to announce the winners of the 2021 Australia Day awards.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year awards recognise the achievements and contributions made to the local community and wider region.
Yarriambiack Shire Council Citizen of the Year was awarded to Michael Wood of Rupanyup.
Mr Wood has been an active member of Rupanyup's Historical Society, Consultative Committee, Mens Shed, A & P Society as well as the Dunmunkle Sump oilers and the Wheatlands Agricultural Machinery Museum.
Mr Wood has been instrumental in the preservation of local history as the owner/curator of Wood's Farming and Heritage Museum in Rupanyup.
Mr Wood, along with his late brother John, has built the Wood's Museum up to the nationally significant collection it is for nearly 40 years.
The Museum is an iconic tourist attraction that brings hundreds of visitors to Rupanyup each year.
Yarriambiack Shire Council Mayor Graeme Massey said Mr Wood is a very deserving award winner.
"With a lifetime of volunteering across many community groups, Mr Wood is a quiet achiever," Cr Massey said.
"His time vision, expertise and financial investment to the Wood's Museum is insurmountable. The Wood's Museum has significantly contributed to the local tourism industry and is an important legacy for the Rupanyup community and the wider region."
Young Citizen of the Year
Yarriambiack Shire Council Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Lachie Stewart of Warracknabeal.
Lachie is a natural born leader with a keen desire to give back to his community.
With awards in both school and sport over many years, Lachie dedicates his time helping others.
Lachie has volunteered in the Active After School Communities Program and has coached basketball, tennis and golf to junior players.
As a footballer, Lachie was selected in the Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy and played in the 2017 V/Line Cup. He was voted in as captain by his peers and coach in both the Under 14 and Under 17 competition.
READ MORE:
His school achievements include nominated as School Captain in Years 6, 11 and 12.
He participated in the Year 9 Advance Leadership and Summit Leadership camps, as well as the Riding for the Disabled program and JUMP Program, providing experiences of horse riding and basketball to the Special Development School students.
Lachie has been awarded honour certificates for studies, the Senior School Sport Award and School Sportsman of the Year. Lachie completed Year 12 in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and after university wants to come back to the region with a degree and give back to the community in which he is proud to call home.
"Lachie is an impressive young person who has achieved so much in his 18 years," Cr Massey said.
"A dedicated volunteer, Lachie has taken every opportunity to gain new skills and experience that will help him succeed in both his professional and personal pursuits."
Did you know you can receive updates straight to your inbox? To make sure you're up-to-date with news from across the region, sign up below.