By BRIDGET COOK
THERE was a strong sense of community spirit in the air on Sunday as the 2014 Holt Australia Day Awards were presented.
A special ceremony was held at the Hampton Park Australia Day event, where 45 people from across Casey were presented with awards.
Holt MP Anthony Byrne presented the awards to the group of worthy recipients for their ongoing contribution to the Casey community.
“Australia Day is a wonderful day when we can recognise those people who contribute to the community and make our community a better place,” he said.
“I congratulate all those receiving a Holt Australia Day Award for their exemplary community spirit and endless hours of volunteer work making our community a better and safer place to live.
“These people do not get the same accolades as other famous people but in their own quiet Australian way they do tremendous work in giving their precious time to make other people’s lives better.”
One of the people recognised included Joan Graham, who has provided a home for more than 300 children in her 40 years as a foster carer.
Also among the award recipients was Keith Pimblett, who was instrumental in the development of a Trade Training Centre at Hallam Secondary College to allow students to access vocational education while still at school.
Another notable recipient was Marianne Dawes, who is a wildlife carer and rescuer, specialising in kangaroos by rescuing them and caring for their orphans.
The Holt Australia Day Awards Recipients: Alfred Goldburg, Father Elias Matta, Neville Worthington, Helen Appleman, Sean Balfour, Thomas Barnes, Keith Barrot, Calvin Bell, Roland Blaschak, Colin Booth, Rebekah Booth, Johnathan Clarke, Simon Dewar, Savio Gonsalvez, Steve Chapman, Marianne Dawes, Luke DeLutiis, Mehmet Salih Dogan, Keith Edwards, Bryce Eishold, Joan Graham, Joan Green, Mary Haigh, Rosemary Hutchins, Julie Johnstone, Mary Jonker, Mark Jouvelet, Sriyani La’Brooy, Peter O’Hagan, Christine Gladwell, Eileen Hillis, Louise MacDonald, Shaun Petrie, Keith Pimblett, Brian Regan, Sadiq Sarwari, Carolyn Scott, Colin Smith, Lima Stanikzai, Oliver Thomson, Sharon Thomson, Slobadan Todic, Shelly Peluso, Eda Vistac, Noorullah Noori (Posthumous Award), Carols by Twilight – Casey City Church, Painting with Parkinsons.
