By Brendan Rees
The 2018 Holt Australia Day Awards were presented at the Day of Nations celebrations in Hampton Park today, with a large crowd of families and friends turning out to support the recipients.
Federal Member for Holt Anthony Byrne honoured 27 outstanding individuals and seven local organisations for their contribution to our community on Australia Day.
Many in the crowd waved their Australia flags as they cheered on their unsung heroes.
During his speech, Mr Bryne said the Australia Day Awards was an opportunity for the community to recognise those who contributed their time and energy to do valuable volunteer work.
“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 celebrities in the media but in their own quiet Australian way they do tremendous work and make other people’s lives better,” said Mr Byrne.
The Australia Day Awards were an opportunity to recognise people like Aaron Grant who has volunteered tirelessly on the committee for Cranbourne Public Hall.
Mr Grant said he was absolutely wrapped to be presented an award.
“I love what I do around the community and the fact people acknowledge it, makes me more determined to continue”.
Star News Person on the Year Pastor Phil Cayzer and his wife Norma also received an award for their role in the Cranbourne community, particularly for reaching out to Work for the Dole participants when they set up Pixel Play Centre and Café.
Also amongst the award recipients was Pastor Kerrigan La-Brooy of the Gethsemane Church.
Pastor La-Brooy started up a food drive, making available bread, fresh fruits and vegetables to feed the underprivileged in the Casey Area.
He also hosted his own Carols by Candlelight concert at Hillcrest Christian College in Berwick.
“To all who have supported my ministry through Gethsemane Church and Gethsemane Charity, this recognition is as much yours as it is mine,” he said.
All award recipients were presented with a certificate, an Australian flag and a small Australian native plant courtesy of the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne.
Star News photographer Rob Carew went along to the excitement to capture some of the day’s excitment.
The 2018 Holt Australia Day Award recipients were:
Aaron Grant
Carol Bosward & Sandra Rotunno
Casey Garba
Christopher Klepacz
Pastor Decal Nono
Ellie Blackburn
Elyse Cumine
Heather Triffett
Hispana Ventana – Spanish Window
Jean-Marie Jean-Pierre
John Cooper
John Foy
Josh & Eden Carell
Julie Cini
Karen Alsop
Pastor Keith Vethaak
Pastor Kerrigan La-Brooy
Lyn & Barry Leeds
Mary-Ann Spencer
National Servicemen’s Association Australia – South East Sub Branch
Pastor Phil & Pastor Norma Cayzer
Cranbourne – Narre Warren Relay for Life
Ruth Crofts
South East Melbourne Vietnamese Associations Council
Southern Masters Cycling Club
Star News Group
Sue Owen
Tammie McKill
Tareq Bakhtani
Zoe Panagiotopoulos
