Citizen of the Year
Rosanna Colli
Consider the last time someone was caring or compassionate towards you. How does it make you feel?
For most, feelings of connectedness and happiness follow these warm gestures. A simple act of kindness and care can make all the difference to someone’s day, week or year.
When a person has been treated with kindness and consideration, they are more likely to treat others in the same way. In this sense a kind gesture is responsible for creating a ripple effect touching more than we might anticipate.
Rosanna Colli has used her quiet determination in this way to support many people she has touched over decades. No is clearly not in her D.N.A. If Rosanna is unable to help, she will always try to find someone who can.
Rosanna has worked tirelessly for the Lord Mayors Fundraising Committee in Melbourne over many years to enable monies raised to be shared amongst the homeless and many other charities supported by the committee. The Alanna and Madeline Foundation have had Rosanna’s commitment for many years, prepared to do what is needed to change the culture of bullying in schools and the Community.
In the Gippsland Community Rosanna can always be relied on to help in any way possible while still running her business, personal lifE, Rotary Centenary House, Ronald McDonald House Charities. Barrier Breakers, Sponsoring the Moe Australia Day Awards for the last decade, Carols by Candlelight in the Community, Sponsoring the Fashions on the Field at theme for many years. Organising a Christmas Charity dinners in Morwell and always available to support in any other way possible the Filipino and Italian community.
Rosanna has never faulted with her belief to help those in need and is a true quiet achiever.
Young Citizen of the Year
Tessa Jenkins
Tessa Jenkins epitomizes the aspirational values of an Australian young Citizen of the Year through her significant contribution to Latrobe City as well the broader community beyond her local area.
In a voluntary capacity, Tessa has actively sought to influence positive outcomes for youth, and those with a disability, in the Latrobe region by nominating for various board and representative positions with both local and state-wide organisations to ensure the voice of youth is represented and young people with disability.
Tessa has made a considerable commitment in the support of the Girl Guides Victoria movement and continues to attend regular Girl Guides events, as a member of the Olave group, and encourages participation in a social group for adult girl guides.
Tessa is employed with Latrobe Community Health Services (LCHS) Local Area Coordination Service who have partnered with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to deliver the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Tess’s role is in admin and she holds our Youth portfolio where she is actively involved in mentoring youth with disability.
Raising community awareness about youth with disability around inclusion and participation of Youth in community and mainstream services. Tess walks her talk and is a youth ambassador within the organisation for those with a disability.
Tessa is also a participant of the NDIS, due to her personal circumstances, but she considers herself fortunate to be able to encourage others and act as a representative for those with a disability.
Tessa is a role model for all youth to aspire to with significant personal and community achievements to date as well as her goals for the future.
Community Event of the Year
2018 Latrobe City Maltese Festa
The 2018 Maltese Festa was a three-day event held in Latrobe City on Friday 16th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th February 2018. This ethnic event engaged the community through fun and celebration. It showcased our area experientially by having about 10 busses of people coming from Melbourne.
The launch of the Maltese Museum in Morwell, which is the first in Australia, occurred during this event. There were over 10,000 people who attended the festa, many visitors stayed overnight to attend this event.
On the first day, her Excellency Joanna Pisani, the Consul-General for Malta opened the festival at a civic reception held in Kernot Hall. The unveiling of the Maltese Luzzu (restored 18 foot boat) occurred on Day one. The main festival on the second day included various performers including Destiny (a local band), Elvis impersonator, school children performing Maltese dances, Maltese food and drink, antique cars, museum displays, petting zoo and much more. There were two stages, one indoors and another outdoors of Kernot Hall.
Following this event in and around Kernot Hall, there was a soccer game at the Pegasus Soccer Club where it was Maltese vs. the rest of the world.
Day three occurred at the Latrobe Valley Maltese Community Centre which was open to the public. There was a BBQ for the many volunteers and helpers from the community who helped in this festival.
Community Service of the Year
Bruce McMaster
In 2015, after many different venues in Morwell the Historical Society purchased the old Masonic Lodge at 12 Hazelwood Road, Morwell for $250,000. Bruce, the President, had been instrumental in obtaining loan funding from members to buy this property.
Bruce has demonstrated outstanding leadership in welding together a diverse group of people into a formidable committee of management. Leading by example, Bruce is very much a hands-on person, who with the help of willing and able volunteers has completed the following projects to date:
- Converting the male only toilet to cater for ladies and the disables
- Ramp for disabled access at the side door
- Removed sections of the raided floors to provide a uniform level\installed a concrete foundation for the compactus storage system
- Erected the large compactus
- Modified other display and storage areas
- Build a mezzanine floor again to increase storage space
- Installed new office spaces and a special filing cabinet room
As the Society’s friendly archivist Bruce is constantly on call providing access to records and information to the general public and most days will find Bruce actively involved either at the ‘Lodge’ or elsewhere on Society business.
In addition to planning, coordinating and executing the above projects as well as being advised, and directed, at times, by this Committee, Bruce spends time cataloguing and engaging with the many visitors to the ‘Lodge’.
Bruce McMaster has given the Society an incredible 45 years plus of volunteer service and we have no hesitation in nominating Bruce for the 2019 Australia Day Community Service Award.
Adult Citizen of the Year
Alarna Bell
Alarna is a make-up artist who, although owns her fulltime business, takes time to help out the community by volunteering her time to visit local terminally ill patients and elderly, where she pampers them with hair and make-up so that they may feel good about themselves during a difficult period in their lives. She also does the make up for local school events such as the Trafalgar High School concert production and the Baringa Special School Debutante Ball.
Alarna also works with young sick children and cancer patients and their mums at the Royal Children’s Hospital, providing free hair and make-up sessions purely to help put a smile on their face. She donates make-up to the local ballet schools and teaches the mothers how to apply the make-up to their children for their concert performances.
If all this is not enough, Alarna empowers VCAL students at the local TAFE colleges with inspirational talks to let them know how important a good education is and has also been asked to speak at young women in business forums.
Alarna also donated a large amount of essential toiletry items to tsunami victims in Bali and visited orphanages with women from the Miss Universe Contest
Adult Citizen of the Year
Dr Carole Broxham
Dr Carole Broxham is the CEO of Moe Life Skills. She is very supportive and encouraging to all the participants that go to Moe Life Skills. She attends conferences and takes part in activities in the field and tell us what is happening in the local and wider community for people with disabilities. We, the students think she is awesome and deserves this award.
Carole has had extensive experience in the disability field training future professional carers and support workers at TAFE. She has been the CEO at Moe Life Skills for ten years providing direct support to staff, families and students who are part of part of the organisation, As well as liaising with the wider community. Carole has a Masters in Psychology which has been of great value to the team and members of Moe Life Skills.
She also has a background as a receptionist / vet nurse at Moe Vet Centre. As part of this role she looked after sick, injured animals, and animals requiring welfare aid.
Event of the Year
2018 EDI Festival – United Muslim Sisters of Latrobe Valley (UMSLV)
United Muslin Sister of Latrobe Valley (UMSLV) organised an Eid Festival on 1 July 2018. This festival was to celebrate the end of Ramadan with the wider community.
The event provided the wider community an insight into Muslim cultural practices and provided a safe place in which people’s questions can be answered.
The United Muslim Sisters of Latrobe Valley has organised an Eid festival for the past 5 years, this brings together people to share in celebration of the event.
Edi Festival is a way to create social cohesion between the Muslim community and the wider Gippsland community. Our EID Festival is well attended not just by local residents but also by the people from our region
Event of the Year
2018 Good Vibes festival – Lifeline Gippsland
The Good Vibes festival held at the AGL Loy Yang Latrobe Community Sound-shell was aptly named, with a resounding atmosphere of community celebration, mateship and camaraderie. The event successfully promoted the R U OK? Message of the importance of checking in with friends, family and community members to ensure that are safe and supported. This was facilitated through discussion, to local community support services that were present on the day and the distribution of resources.
Local up and coming artist Mel Pollard, Kwasi, Phobe Trinidad and Wolf and Willow performed on the day and reinforced the message that staying connected and having meaningful conversations is something we can all do. An inspirations Q&A with Paralympian Sam Brahman (OAM) discussing his lived experience of losing a friend and team mate to suicide further highlighted the importance of asking R U OK?
A mouth-watering range of local food traders offered delicious food, and there was a variety of local makers selling their wares. To ensure full community participation there was a free BBQ and lots of free activities for kids; including two jumping castles, a petting zoo, face painting, balloon animals and even temporary tattoos.
A free bus service operated on the day from Toongabbie, Glengarry, Churchill, Morwell and Moe. It is estimated that in excess of 6000 people were in attendance on the day.
Overwhelming positive feedback was received on the day and since then on social media, with many asking for this to be an annual event.
Latrobe City Award – Eventof the Year 2018 Summer Nights Festival – Traralgon Chambers of Commerce Inc Summer Nights Festival has over 100 local businesses/Organisations an opportunity to show case their business. Over 1000 people attended with patrons contributing over $30,000 to the local economy.
Despite the weather, patrons enjoyed the activities, showed great community spirit in touch times and allowed all to enjoy the beautify of our Victory Park and town.
Traralgon Chamber of Commerce has over 100 members made up of Traralgon Business people. They help influence local government, industry and commerce. After 2 years of holding the event mid-town, the event outgrew this site and was mover to Victory Park. This allowed the event to grown the exhibitors and patrons attending. The money raised from this event has led to greater financial commitment to local community and other events.
Community Service of the Year
Gippsland Ethnic Communities Council
The Gippsland Ethnic Communities Council (GECC) is not-for profit multicultural organisation that was incorporated on 4th December 2001. The aim of the organisation is to encourage understanding, develop goodwill and promote harmony within our culturally diverse community. This organization is run entirely by volunteers from different ethnic groups who are active in many projects in the community.
Over the past decade, include the Gippsland Multicultural Festival, Parliament of World Regions event, many forum, training and seminars, flag raising events and many more for the benefit of the community.
Members of the committee actively participate and contribute to many organisations and committees in Latrobe City, Victoria and Australia to keep informed and connected, and to bring opportunity back into our local community. With current projects lined up for the next few years, it continues to serve the community as it is doing and in the past
Community Service of the Year
Jeff & Carmel Gniel
Jeff and Carmel Gniel have been selfless volunteers to the Morwell and regional sporting community for over 25 years.
Jeff’s volunteer work spans local football, cricket and netball. Starting In 1993 at the Morwell Youth Club junior football organisation he spent his first season as the goal umpire in the Under 10 games. Over a 10-year period he then spent 8 years as Club President and team coach for the Youth Club.
His wife Carmel ran the canteen over this time it which meant Jeff and Carmel were at home games from 7am to start the day with re-stocking the canteen.
In 1996, Jeff began assisting the Morwell Senior Football Club in the afternoons, running drinks to players. From 2005, Jeff had a full-time role working as a trainer for all the football and netball age groups - strapping, massaging, running and treating injuries across 4 grades of football and 6 grades of netball.
Jeff has been head curator at the Morwell Cricket Club for 12 years; helped coach Junior players and spent 4 years as Vice President of the Cricket Club.
Jeff and Carmel continue to work tirelessly for the Football/Netball Club and Cricket Club with the reward for their ongoing commitment - new friendships with young players and long lasting friendships with other club volunteers.
Like Jeff, wife Carmel went to Morwell Football Netball Club after the juniors where she has been the canteen coordinator since 2005, which also entails Gippsland Power Sunday games.
This year the Morwell Football Netball Club hosted the Gippsland League finals and despite no Morwell teams competing, again Jeff and Carmel were on duty all day doing a wide range of activities to make it a successful sporting experience for all.
Community Service of the Year
Lifeline Gippsland
Lifeline Gippsland is committed to their purpose of supporting people in Gippsland to be resilient and suicide-safe. To achieve this, their volunteer Crisis Support Workers support the 24/7 crisis support line, 13 11 14. They are unflinching in their support of our community in times of crisis, including the Black Saturday Fires and other critical events in our region.
They are passionate about upstream interventions to ensure that those with whom they work are better resourced to deal with a crisis before it may arise. This year they launched the ‘Mind the Valley’ project, which provided community members with education and practical tools to empower them to ask friends, families and their community ‘R U O K?’ and to respond when the answer is “no”. This has been achieved through their ‘Friends of Lifeline’ volunteers in the community who have been trained to facilitate the sessions and who have linked them in with their existing networks.
It is their belief that a well-resourced community is a safer community, and they deliver a wide range of training to the community, including, but not limited to, Mental Health First Aid, ASIST, domestic violence response training specifically tailored to community need.
As they look back as to whether they have been true and faithful to those who were with Life Line Gippsland in the beginning, they can say with pride that they have played their part. They will, however, count themselves as successful the day that they are no longer required.
Community Service of the Year
Our Kinda Country
This year was the 9th annual ‘Light the Night’ organised and hosted for the Leukaemia Foundation. Donations to them from ‘Our Kinda Country’ have totalled over forty-eight thousand dollars in this time.
Our Kinda country also hosted an annual event for the Royal Children’s Hospital this year and saw the eighth time this event was held. We have raised funds for the CFA Bushfire Relief, Flood Relief, Volunteer Costal Patrol and many others. We organised and distributed over eight thousand plants to households following the Black Saturday Fires.
Our group has worked with Advance Morwell, REH Cork Club, Traralgon Lions, Newborough CFA, Callignee Hall, CFA Callignee and Leukaemia Foundation.
We are a not for profit organisation that runs an open mic club on the first and third Fridays of the months. This is a byo alcohol event a Country supper to share and is open of all ages and abilities.