Community news
www.gippslandtimes.com.au
Nominations open for Australia Day Awards
The 2021 Australia Day Award winners, COVID Hero Cathy Cook, Citizen of the Year Kate Mirams and Group of the Year representative Heather Baird from A Better Life for Foster Kids, with Wellington Shire Council Mayor Cr Garry Stephens.
IT’S time to begin thinking about a person, event or group which is making a positive difference to the community, for recognition in the 2022 Australia Day Awards. Wellington Shire Council will this year seek the help of organisations and individuals to approach their own communities for nominations. Groups are encouraged to consider champions within their own communities who are going the extra mile and deserve acknowledgement. This might be someone who is too humble to seek recognition, or who does not realise they are an inspiration or help to others. For the second year, the Event of the Year category has been suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing the cancellation of most events. The COVID Hero award, which was introduced
in 2021 to recognise those who stepped up to work on the frontline during the pandemic, will remain as a category for the 2022 awards. Wellington Shire Council mayor Garry Stephens called on the many community groups and individuals across the municipality to nominate people who had been making a contribution to improve the lives of others around them. “It’s a great opportunity to nominate the unsung champions for the amazing work they are doing in Wellington,” he said. “There are countless people in our community working tirelessly without recognition, and many of us might not see this work going on. “Here’s your chance to say thank you to them and acknowledge their contribution.” Nominations are now open, and are being sought in the following four categories: Citizen of the Year: People aged 25 years or older who have made a significant contribution during the year or given outstanding service to the Wellington community over a number of years; Young Citizen of the Year: Those aged 24 years or younger who have made a significant contribution during the year or given outstanding service to the Wellington community over a number of years; Community Group of the Year: A group that has made a significant sustained contribution to the Wellington community; and COVID Hero: a person who has worked on the frontline at a time when COVID-19 has been threatening. The Australia Day Awards cover contributions made across a range of fields, including the arts, business, charity, education, the environment, health, mentoring, philanthropy, science, social welfare, sport and more. They recognise people who make a positive difference to the vibrancy of the municipality and improve the lives of Wellington residents. Winners of the 2021 Australia Day Awards were Citizen of the Year Kate Mirams from Newry, COVID Hero Cathy Cook from Yarram and Community Group of the Year A Better Life for Foster Kids. People can visit wellington.vic.gov.au/ausdayawards to nominate someone before Sunday, October 31.
The CWA Craft Shop in Sale has some unique handcrafted items which make excellent gifts.
CWA shop sales support local community groups
BECAUSE of community spending, the CWA Craft Shop has been able to support five local organisations with donations this year — Sale CFA, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, A Better Life for Foster Kids, St John Ambulance and Travellers Aid. The Sale CWA has paused its collection of bottle tops at present, as the Envision Employment Services bottle top collection program is put on hold. Envision’s initial goal of one million caps collected and saved from landfill was smashed, and the non-profit organisation now estimates it has more than 10 million caps. The CWA has thanked the community for its support. Depending on COVID restrictions, the CWA Craft Shop at 67d Macarthur St, Sale, is open Fridays from 10am until 3pm. People are welcome to pop in to shop and have a chat.
Cake stall this Saturday
Page 14 – Times-Spectator, Tuesday, 12 October, 2021
THE Country Women’s Association Cobains branch will host a cake stall at the CWA Shop at 67d Macarthur St, Sale, this Saturday. Organisers said the group’s fundraising had been limited by the pandemic, and encouraged people to support the group to give to those less fortunate. The sale will be held from 9am until 1.30pm, or until sold out.
