From left: Casey’s nonresident of the year Lisa Benn, Senior Citizen of the Year Beryl Maddern, Citizen of the Year Robyn Garbutt, Reverend Paul Creasey accepting the Community Event of the Year prize awarded to the Cranbourne Car Show, Casey mayor Kevin Bradford, Community Event winner Greg Kaye and Young Citizen of the Year Shannon Barnes.CASEY’S southern residents had much to cheer about at the annual Citizens of the Year Awards on Australia Day.
A muchloved Guide leader, a young achiever, a highly respected art teacher and a dedicated volunteer were all recognised for their tireless contribution to the Casey community.
The Citizens of the Year and Community Event of the Year Awards saw Cranbourne North resident Robyn Garbutt named the City of Casey’s Citizen of the Year while Cranbourne grandmother Beryl Maddern was awarded Senior Citizen of the Year.
The popular Cranbourne Car and Bike Show took the title of Community Event of the Year from a list of eight entries.
Narre Warren student Shannon Barnes was awarded Young Citizen of the Year from a list of 10 nominees and Berwick Secondary College art teacher and Drouin resident Lisa Benn was named the city’s NonResident of the Year.
Ten Casey students were also presented with the annual City of Casey Australia Day Study Tour Awards.
Mrs Garbutt said this was one of the first times in her life she had found herself speechless and she was tremendously honoured by the award.
Mrs Garbutt has volunteered with the Cranbourne Guides for more than 20 years, organising activities for girls in Casey and helping Guides Victoria run camps that support environmental sustainability.
She also instigated the establishment of Campbell (Cranbourne) Trefoil Guild, which undertakes practical works that contribute to charities, and is also a member of the Red Cross, Cancer Council, Craig Nursing Home and Phillip Island Nature Reserve.
Casey’s Senior Citizen of the Year Beryl Maddern said she had enjoyed every single minute of her past 50 years as a volunteer and had made some lovely friends and met some beautiful people along the way.
At last Thursday’s official ceremony she was described as a dedicated volunteer at many levels and a very charitable and familyorientated person.
The Cranbourne resident is an active member of the Anglican Church and a volunteer for the Tooradin Anglican Church’s Bazaar and has made hampers for various causes for more than five decades.
Last year the Cranbourne resident made 100 Christmas cakes and the former Tooradin Scouts leader is also a mentor for young volunteers.
The 2005 Cranbourne Car and Bike Show attracted about 15,000 people when it was held at Lawson Poole Reserve in March.
In its fifth year, the free event catered to people of all ages and interests, featuring displays, community stalls, entertainment from local bands and a car boot sale.
More than 30 trophies were awarded to the 500 cars and 200 motor bikes that were entered into the competition.
Organiser Paul Creasey said it was an honour to be named winner of the Community Event and looked forward to this year’s show.
Young Citizen of the Year Shannon Barnes was nominated by her teacher and Casey councillor Wayne Smith in recognition of her contribution to the broader community while studying at Eumemmerring College Fountain Gate Campus.
Ms Barnes is known as a quiet achiever and general all rounder and has been treasurer of her school representative council, a peer support leader and mediator and a college representative and speaker at ceremonies including Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and school assemblies.
Nonresident of the Year Lisa Benn said she was totally overwhelmed and deeply honoured by the award.
Teacher Ms Benn’s work within the wider community was described as inspirational and she was recognised for being active in the Berwick Secondary College (BSC) community and for her environmental projects and work as a teacher and artist.
In 2003 the volunteer environment coordinator formed the Environment Committee at BSC and initiated the Waste Wise Program with the college becoming Waste Wise Accredited within six months and a 2005 finalist in the Proud Schools Award.
Ms Benn introduced recycling at BSC saving the school $10,000 a year, and obtained a City of Casey Conservation and Initiative Grant for water tank and plants.
