Wednesday, 18 February 2026

 Cindy McLEISH (Eildon) (09:50): Australia Day provides an opportunity for us to celebrate the achievements of wonderful community members both locally but also through the Australia Day awards. Gordon Simpson of Alexandra was recognised for his roles in the CFA and tourism. Not one to seek the limelight, Gus gets the connection between a thriving local community and tourism. He has been the backbone of so many events – truck shows, fishing, rodeos – and as a business operator, he is always there to support the town in so many ways. Graeme Robb at Thornton is another quiet lifetime achiever. Committed to emergency services, he was a volunteer ambulance officer and an ambulance community officer at Eildon for almost 50 years, and he spent longer at the CFA, where he commenced in 1966. Geoff Penny from Terip Terip – this is bittersweet – received a gong for his long-time CFA involvement and his local work with the cemetery and young farmers at the same time as his community was decimated by the fires. Cr Jim Child’s love and commitment for the Upper Yarra is evident. For decades he has advocated for services in that area. It is inspiring to see the community hub members within the Murrindindi shire spearheading recovery post bushfires. They are the boots on the ground, organising and sorting donations and working with external services. It is all about fencing at the moment, and I urge the government to support these communities by helping fund coordinators who are working voluntarily.