2025 Moyne Community Awards winners announced

Published on 24 January 2025

A community volunteer, a young rural community advocate and a community-run family festival have been named as the winners of the annual Moyne Community Awards.

Port Fairy’s Margaret Whitehead has been named Citizen of the Year, Timothy Reesink from Garvoc is the Young Citizen of The Year and Koroit’s Picnic in the Paddock is the Community Event of the Year.

Mayor of Moyne Shire Cr Karen Foster said each recipient has made significant contributions to their communities and were deserving winners.

“Margaret has made an incredible contribution to our community through her 32 years of volunteering at the Port Fairy Folk Festival, involvement with multiple other community groups, and public service as the shire’s first female councillor and Mayor,” Cr Foster said.

“Timothy advocates for rural communities, youth empowerment, and faith-based leadership. An active member of the Garvoc CFA brigade, he also provides leadership in his role as the head of Youth inC at Warrnambool Presbyterian Church.

“The Picnic in the Paddock might only be in its third year, but it has already become a favourite day out in the area. The volunteer organisers aim to provide the Koroit and surrounding community an opportunity to socially connect and have good fun, and we think they have achieved this beautifully.”

Cr Foster said she was proud to be able to recognise the people and events who make a significant contribution to life of the community.

“These types of awards are so important to showcase the exceptional efforts people make day-in-day out to make our communities great places to live,” she said.

“It’s important we recognise those contributions, so people know what they do is important and appreciated.

“I congratulate each of our winners and thank them for their efforts to make Moyne Shire an even better place to live.”

The Moyne Community Awards will be presented on Sunday 26 January 2025 at Port Fairy’s Fiddlers Green from 10.30am following a citizenship ceremony to welcome seven new citizens. The event will also feature the presentation of the Port Fairy Belfast Lions Club’s James O’Neill award and a free sausage sizzle from 9am.