2021 Winners
Citation – Moyne Shire Citizen of the Year Elizabeth Moore
The Citizen of the Year Award acknowledges outstanding service and contribution over a number of years given by individuals to their local community.
Elizabeth Beverley Moore – fondly known as ‘Bev’ – is a highly respected member of the Garvoc community, whose commitment has had a lasting impact on many lives.
From her various volunteering and fundraising activities, to her research into recovering lost graves and family records, Bev’s enduring devotion is not only an inspiration to others – her compassion has enhanced the lives of many in the Garvoc community.
Motivated by a love of history, Bev has been instrumental in retrieving family records and unmarked graves that were destroyed by the 1983 fires. A long-standing member of the Garvoc Cemetery Trust, Bev dedicated a significant amount of her own time and effort, delving into the archives to help identify the names of lost community members and reconstruct local history.
The care and devotion Bev shows for her fellow community members is reflected in her various volunteer and committee roles. Bev is a member of the Garvoc District Residents group and the Garvoc Cemetery Trust, a librarian at Warrnambool Family History Group and also helped establish the Garvoc Residents Past and Present Memorial Board.
Bev is an original member of The Rubber Band, a music group that has raised thousands of dollars for South West Healthcare at the Port Fairy Folk Festival over the past thirty years. In 1995, Bev researched the history of the Panmure Primary School for the 125th anniversary and assisted with the 150th celebrations in February 2020.
Mother to nine children, 23 grandchildren and four great grandchildren, community involvement has been a core part of Bev’s life. Armed with a big heart and a willingness to roll up her sleeves and help others, Bev also assists with organising the local Royal Children’s Hospital auction, helping to raise more than $11,000 each year for the appeal.
A modest matriarch in the Garvoc community, Bev certainly doesn’t do this for the praise or recognition. She simply wants to help make a difference to the lives of those around her. This devotion and compassion makes Bev a great example of what it means to be an outstanding community member and Moyne Shire’s Citizen of the Year for 2021.
Citation – Moyne Shire Community Event of the Year Sungold Field Days
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.
Created as an opportunity for farmers to meet and learn from new developments in the dairy industry, Sungold Field Days has evolved to become one of Victoria’s premier agriculture events.
The Field Days have grown since its first event almost 40 years ago, now hosting over 200 exhibitors, and attended by many visitors, eager to explore the latest technology and machinery available to farmers.
Whilst the coronavirus pandemic has hampered this year’s event, organisers anticipated an even bigger turnout for 2021, as the Field Days continues to grow and attract more local, national and international exhibitors.
Each year, the Event Committee works tirelessly to deliver an extensive program that caters to many sectors of the community and farming industry. No one was more disappointed when the event was cancelled this year, than Chairman Tony Rea who has been a part of the Field Days since its inception in 1981.
The Sungold Field Days Committee aims to not only inspire dairy farmers and cattle breeders, but also highlight the importance of the industry locally and nationally, and bring people together – a great place to do business and connect with the community.
Held over three days at what’s now known as Saputo Dairy Australia, the Sungold Field Days showcase the latest advancements in agriculture technology and machinery. There’s something for all ages with a range of exhibits on show including cooking demonstrations, wood chopping, food and live music.
Just as the industry has experienced growth and adjustments over recent years, so too have the Sungold Field Days changed and evolved to continue to deliver a successful event, in a fun and engaging way.
Eagerly supported by many local farmers and residents, the Field Days have continued to inspire and attract a wide audience. A credit to the event’s committee members, each with genuine experience and expertise in their field, that work together to present an exciting event that is integral to our agricultural industry.
Citation – Moyne Shire Young Citizen of the Year Stephenee Hines
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.
Advocating and acting as a voice for young local people, Stephenee continually shows strong and empathetic leadership qualities in her school environment and the broader community.
Experiencing barriers and interruptions to her education were a challenge for Stephenee at first, but she has channelled her adverse experiences into helping others in similar situations.
As a proud and passionate indigenous woman, Stephenee has been a valuable driver for the Brauer College Kakay Group – aimed at supporting and inspiring young indigenous women in connecting to their culture and heritage.
Stephenee has shown a commitment towards advocating for positive change in her role in Moyne Shire’s first Youth Parliament team, and her involvement in the writing of a bill to improve regional road quality and safety.
As runner-up in the Moyne Shire Youth Awards, Stephenee was nominated for her resilience, responsibility and passion, and for her outstanding contribution towards educating and supporting other young indigenous women and overcoming adverse situations.
Striving towards a career in parliament, Stephenee reached out to the only indigenous woman in parliament – Shadow Minister for Preventing Family Violence, Linda Burney, and engaged in an hour-long mentoring session during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Along with her Youth Council representation, Stephenee has promoted and acknowledged her heritage as leader of the Brauer College Reconciliation Action Team, leader and mentor of the Kakay Group, providing Acknowledgement of Country at school assemblies and helping to deliver programs and activities during NAIDOC and Reconciliation Week. An outstanding contribution to the school and indigenous community.
Stephenee attributes her committment and passion to her supporters – her teachers, staff and fellow students at Brauer College, and has been elected as school captain for 2021. Her aim is to support and influence others to achieve their goals and believes the only thing holding us back is ourselves.
Stephenee speaks fondly of her community and is proud of the sense of belonging she feels amongst others in the Woolsthorpe community. She is a testament to the contribution young people can make to their community, while being an inspiration and role model to others around them.