‘Tireless’ work for communities

Harrow resident Josie Sangster is West Wimmera shire’s Australia Day citizen of the year.

Mrs Sangster will receive the award at an Australia Day event at Harrow tomorrow.

Elyssa Hausler of Edenhope was named young citizen of the year while the Trakmaster Off-Road Caravan Club Gathering in Kaniva was named event of the year and Kaniva Playgroup was named community group of the year.

Mrs Sangster is responsible for many fundraising ideas in Harrow and district, which has supported a diverse group of projects for the hall, Johnny Mullagh Park and Harrow Bush Nursing Centre.

She has helped organise concerts, events, an art show and helicopter flights and has spent hours sewing curtains for the hall.

Mayor Tim Meyer said Mrs Sangster was a deserving recipient of the award.

“She is involved in the Harrow Discovery Centre and brings a lot of attention to the area with her ability to excite people with stories of the town’s cricket history,” he said.

“She has a passion for telling and promoting this story and realises it’s potential to bring thousands of tourists to the West Wimmera shire.

“Through her work, she has co-ordinated the return of important artefacts and culturally important artworks to the district.”

Miss Hausler is involved in the both the Edenhope Pastoral and Agricultural Society and the Goroke Agricultural and Pastoral Society as a committee member.

She is a steward at the Edenhope Show and assists other stewards with the senior cookery section.

Cr Meyer said Miss Hausler also volunteered her time teaching older community members modern technology, as well as volunteering with meals-on-wheels.

Miss Hausler won the state’s ‘junior rural ambassador award’ in 2021. She is involved with Henley on Lake Wallace, Girl Guides, Edenhope-Apsley Football and Netball Club and Kowree Tennis Association.

Trakmaster Off-Road Caravan Club’s annual gathering attracted 200 people to Kaniva and injected about $66,000 into the community.

Cr Meyer said all winners made ‘enormous’ contributions to the shire.

“Our shire would not function without the work of all of these tireless volunteers, who put so much time and effort into making our communities great,” he said.

“Both our citizen of the year and young citizen of the year volunteer with many different groups and organisations, and the Kaniva Playgroup is run entirely by dedicated volunteers.”

Award recipients will receive a framed certificate and lapel pin.