Recipients of the 2007 Holt Australia Day Awards, including local firefighters who were honoured on Australia Day for their recent work fighting bushfires. Volunteers are pictured with Holt MP Anthony Byrne, centre.MORE than 20 local volunteers and organisations have been honoured for symbolising what it means to be Australian.
The 2007 Holt Australia Day Awards were presented to 20 volunteers and six community organisations for their contribution to the community.
Holt MP Anthony Byrne said the awards, presented at Betula Reserve in Doveton last Friday, recognised the spirit and commitment of local volunteers who, through their service, strengthened the community and country.
“We received a fantastic response calling for nominations from a huge variety of community organisations,” Mr Byrne said.
“Our selection committee had a very difficult task selecting the award recipients.
“The people that we honour today symbolise what it means to be Australian.
“Their generosity in the large amount of time they give to their community, in a typically understated way, cannot be measured.”
The awards also recognised the efforts of local CFA staff and volunteers who, in addition to their services locally, have been travelling as part of CFA strike teams to the recent bushfires burning around the state.
“This commitment from staff and hundreds of volunteers, which saves lives and houses, from all brigades in the area, deserves to be recognised by us here today,” Mr Byrne said.
Recipients of this year’s awards were: Vitolio Aia for services to the Holy Family Church, Susan Bergman for services to the arts community and BATS Theatre Company, Anne Brown for services to the Kings Swim Centre, Gary Brown for services to major Doveton events and Neighbourhood Renewal Community initiatives, Margaret Fairhurst for services to the 7th Doveton Scouts Group and major Doveton events and organisations, Terri Fallows for services to the Neighbourhood Renewal Project in Doveton and Eumemmerring, Jenni Hunter for services to BATS Theatre Company, Judy Martin for services to the Andrews Centre, Shirlene Dawn Nadarajah for service to the Brownies and Girl Guides Association, Glenda Novotny for services to the Windmill Theatre Company, Connie Newman for services to the Doveton Library and Doveton Eumemmerring Community, Derbis and Rachela Pequeno for services to the Italo Spanish Club and annual Christmas lights display in Endeavour Hills, Ed Price for services to the Cranbourne Community Theatre and local vocal group Just Harmony, Ken Ritter for services to Meals on Wheels and the Narre Warren Op Shop, George Stephens for services to the Cranbourne Lions Club and Cranbourne Lions Concert Band, Venice Taweel for services to the Melkite Catholic Eparchy in Hampton Park, James Ter for services to the Sudanese Community and broader work in fostering connections with the wider community, Neil and Tammey Tiley for services to the Doveton Neighbourhood Learning Centre, Doveton North Primary school and community events, Berwick Opportunity Shop for services to the community and major fundraising initiatives for local organisations, and Cranbourne, Hallam, Hampton Park, Narre Warren and Narre Warren North Fire Brigades for services to the community and their assistance in attending the devastating bushfires across Victoria in recent weeks.
