2020 winners
Citizen of The Year Award - Nicole Dwyer
The Citizen of the Year Award acknowledges outstanding service and contribution over a number of years given by an individual to their local community.
A well-known and respected member of the Port Fairy community, Nicole Dwyer’s ongoing passion and commitment has had a huge impact on local sports and community life.
From Surf Life Saving, to Netball, to her involvement in the local bank and primary school, Nicole is an inspiration and role model to others in the local community.
Taking charge as coordinator of Nippers at the Port Fairy Life Saving Club in 2016, Nicole was instrumental in introducing improvements that led to Nipper participant numbers more than doubling in two seasons, from 220 to 480, making it one of the largest Nipper programs in Victoria. In 2018, Nicole coordinated the Nippers Victoria Carnival where Port Fairy hosted 1500 nippers. Nicole won the Victorian Surf Life Saving Nipper Coordinator of the Year Award, is a life member of the Port Fairy Surf Life Saving Club and represents the Club in the Ladies Master Surf Boat crew in state and national titles.
Nicole has also been involved in the local netball scene for many years, and has played over 350 games of A Grade netball. A Life Member of both Port Fairy Football Netball Club and the Hampden Football Netball League, Nicole has coached senior netball, been an active committee member, and been involved in the development of junior players through the Net Set Go program.
The passion and commitment Nicole shows for sports, also resonates in her community roles. She is a founding member of the Port fairy and District Community Bank (Bendigo Bank), a member of the Port Fairy Consolidated School Parents and Friends Committee and initiated the Sport in Port program, to assist pre-teen girls on nutrition mindfulness and bullying.
Nicole’s passion and enthusiasm is a great example of what it means to be an outstanding community member and Moyne Shire’s Citizen of the Year!
YoungCitizen of The Year Award -Jackson Boyden
The Young Citizen of the Year Award acknowledges outstanding service and contribution given by an individual (under the age of 30) to their local community.
Jackson Boyden has shown himself to be a true young leader in Moyne Shire, involved in many aspects of the Mortlake community and acting as a voice for local young people.
Jackson has been an active member of the Moyne Shire Youth Council for three years, contributing to the development of the 2018-23 Mortlake Community Plan and working on projects such as the Purnim 150th celebrations that saw over 400 people join together to celebrate the town’s history.
Jackson has also contributed to the Mortlake and Community Development Committee, helping promote youth interests such as the Mortlake Skate Park and other works at Tea Tree Lake. He also presented at Moyne Shire’s 2019 Community Capital Works Presentation on the importance of including younger people in community planning and project development.
Along with his Youth Council representation, Jackson has achieved numerous accolades for both his sporting and academic achievements.
An age group champion for swimming, athletics and cross country for both Mortlake College and the Mid-West Complex, Jackson showed that he could reach sporting glory while also achieving academic excellence in the fields of mathematics, performing arts and science. He was also awarded the CWA Citizenship Award for an outstanding contribution to the school and community.
A passionate contributor and volunteer, Jackson Boyden has highlighted the contribution young people can make to their community, while being an inspiration and role model to others around them.
Community Event of the Year - Winter Weekends
The Community Event of the Year Award is presented to the person or group who has staged the most outstanding local community event during the year.
Shorter days and cooler nights once meant a lull in business and tourism number in Port Fairy, then came the Winter Weekends Festival.
With close to 150 individual events spread over four weekends throughout June and July, the Festival continues to grow, with 2019 the biggest yet in the Festival’s 13-year history.
Being part of Port Fairy Tourism Association, the Winter Weekend Festival aims to help boost tourism and local engagement to support local retailers and accommodation providers during the quieter, off-peak season.
The Festival Committee works tirelessly throughout the year, coordinating with local community groups and organisations, to deliver an extensive program that caters to a wide variety of audiences, and all age groups.
With art installations and photography exhibitions, markets and workshops, the highlight for many visitors is the much anticipated Dachshund Dash that attracts more than 2,000 spectators from all over the country.
Other standout events have included bathing many of Port Fairy’s historic buildings in coloured lights as part of an illuminated installation, a ghost tales walk in the town’s cemetery, and the Winter Solstice Dawn Swim for those willing to brave the early morning chills.
Supported by eager locals and many interstate visitors, the Festival has continued to achieve its aim to boost tourism and community engagement in the winter months. A true homage to the spirit of Port Fairy, its community and the many great offerings of the local region.