Wednesday, 4 February 2026

 Martha HAYLETT (Ripon) (10:02): Last Monday I joined the Maryborough and Carisbrook communities for their Australia Day celebrations. Today we saw 13 proud locals become Australian citizens and dozens of new babies celebrated with medallions. Across Ripon so many incredible local heroes and groups were honoured with Australia Day awards. I would like to congratulate each and every one of them. In Central Goldfields shire, congratulations to Citizen of the Year Nick Weaver, Young Citizen of the Year Harriet Thoroughgood and Community Award of the Year the Goldfields Community Festival. In the Pyrenees shire, congratulations to joint citizens of the year Jane Graham and Ben Curnow, Young Citizen of the Year Felicity Rentsch and community Event of the Year Beaufort CWA’s Anzac Day field of poppies. In the Northern Grampians shire, congratulations to joint citizens of the year Len and Bev Reid, young citizens of the year Isobel Green, Zarleya Hutchinson and Maria Taylor and Senior Citizen of the Year Des Richards. In the Loddon shire, congratulations to Citizen of the Year Robyn Vella and Young Citizen of the Year Oscar Holt. In Ararat, congratulations to joint citizens of the year Judy Price and Lisa Heard, Young Citizen of the Year Peta Chaplin, Community Leader of the Year Robert Keith and Volunteer of the Year Ararat Cemetery Trust. In the Golden Plains shire, congratulations to joint senior community heroes of the year Gerda Ross and her late great husband Dennis Ross and joint Community Group Award winner the Linton Emergency Food Relief Pantry. Each of these individuals and groups contribute so much to our region, and I am immensely proud of all of them.