JANUARY 30, 2018 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
John Bentley with a eucalyptus dolichorhyncha at the Botanical Gardens Melton. (Marco De Luca)
Bentley’s botanic work recognised
Scout Corey Williams is Moorabool’s young citizen of the year. (Marco De Luca)
Honour for Corey By Esther Lauaki Bacchus Marsh teen Corey Williams is preparing himself for a bright future. The 14-year-old was named Moorabool council Young Citizen of the Year on Australia Day. Corey was handed down the honour in recognition of his service to the community through scouting where he “demonstrated compassion and generosity of time and spirit”. Mayor Paul Tatchell said Corey was a role model for other young people. “Corey’s involvement with Bacchus Marsh Scout Group over the past eight years has served to demonstrate to other young people in the group the value of participation, opportunities for leadership, and the rewards, both personal
and community, of serving others,” Cr Tatchell said. Corey said he was surprised and excited to receive the award. “I’ve been involved in Scouts since I was six years old,” he said. “It’s been awesome I’ve been able to go on Australia-wide jamborees and statewide camps as a Scout leader. Scouting has given me so many experiences and opportunities that I’ve really enjoyed. “I love the adventure and all the activities, getting to try new things and you meet people from all around the world.” As a young leader in his group Corey has been able to guide his peers along their scouting journey. “I do feel like the younger cubs look up to me
and I want to set a good example for them,” he said. For now, the Bacchus Marsh College student is tackling year 10 this year – but he has big plans for the future. “I want to do an apprenticeship as a diesel mechanic and … join the Special Task and Rescue brigade in the Australian Police force.” Corey also volunteered with others to run the local Blue Light disco, has become involved with council’s youth advisory group and FReeza in running and supporting the annual FReeza pool party, YouthFest and the Zombie Walk held in October. Black Nite Black Lite event won Community Event of the Year, Delwyn Leggatt was named Citizen of the Year and the Mayoral Award went to Zachary McCarthy.
John Bentley knows that good things take time, dedication and a lot of care. The Friends of Melton Botanic Gardens president was named the municipality’s Citizen of the Year on Australia Day in recognition of his service to the community. The council’s community achievement awards recognised the contributions by individuals, groups and projects in Melton over the past year. Mr Bentley said that the award came as a surprise. “I’m humbled and privileged to receive the award,” he said. Mr Bentley has led the group from the day the botanical garden’s initiative began in 2005. “I saw an ad in the community notices section of the local paper in February 2004 saying there was a meeting of the Friends of the Melton Botanic that night,” he said. “I thought that sounds like a really great idea to have a botanic garden in Melton so went along to the meeting and I have been involved ever since. “There is wonderful team of people with a diverse range of skills and experience to volunteer and work with in the Friends of the Melton Botanic Garden.” He encouraged the people of Melton to join the project which he said has “put Melton on the gardening map” by its success. “I have spent most of my life working in the education sector in secondary education including Melton Technical School, now Staughton College, RMIT, TAFE and at Victoria University. “Education creates opportunity and this is why I encourage people to take part in the work to be done at the gardens.” Other awards recipients included Linking Melton South (Community Project of the Year), Sharie May Castillo (Young Citizen of the Year) Jane Sultana (Woman of the Year) and Lesley Jenner (Access and Inclusion Leader of the Year). Esther Lauaki
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