Australia Day Awards

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The annual Baw Baw Shire Australia Day Awards ceremony honours and acknowledges individuals and groups who have made a noteworthy contribution during the current year and/or given outstanding service to the local community over a number of years. 

Congratulations to our 2024 Australia Day Award Recipients!

Click here to learn more about our 2024 award recipients, or use the drop down box below.

Citizen of the Year - Nikki Cadzow

Australia-Day-Awards-2024_Citizen_of_the_Year_NikkiCadzow.jpgL to R: Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Cr Annemarie McCabe, Citizen of the year Nikki Cadzow, Cr Keith Cook, Deputy Mayor Cr Tricia Jones.

Jindivick stalwart Nikki Cadzow has been crowned Baw Baw Shire Council’s 2024 Australia Day Citizen of the Year.  

Nikki was awarded the honour in recognition of more than 20 years of tireless service and volunteering around Jindivick. 

Involved in the local primary school, progress association, hall committee, Girl Guides, the Jindivick Country Market and often the sole organiser of the Jindivick Anzac Day commemoration and Australia Day celebrations, Nikki is highly regarded by fellow Jindivick locals and is the soul of the small Baw Baw community.  

Young Citizen of the Year - Ella Duncan

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L to R: Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Cr Annemarie McCabe, Young Citizen of the year Ella Duncan, Deputy Mayor Cr Tricia Jones, Deputy Mayor Cr Tricia Jones, Cr Keith Cook.

Local youth girls football team Vice-Captain Ella Duncan is a beaming light of positivity for her teammates, and anyone who meets her. 

Nominated for her encouraging nature and for being a positive role model, Ella was also a school leader and volunteers at Abbey Gardens Aged Care. 

Community Organisation of the Year - Aberfeldy Track Historic Touring Route maintained by West Gippsland Inc

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L to R: Cr Keith Cook, Mayor Annemarie McCabe, Simon Carter, Rudi Paoletti, Andrew Giles, Hayden Irvine, Deputy Mayor Cr Tricia Jones.

The West Gippsland Relic Mining & Heritage Protection Incorporation is a one-of-a-kind organisation in Gippsland. 

Self-funded, relying on membership and donations, this group have made a significant contribution to Gippsland and north-east Victoria through their work with assisting to maintain the Aberfeldie Track four-wheel drive touring route.  

The West Gippsland Relic Mining & Heritage Protection Incorporation work alongside the community, government departments and other local community groups to help preserve the history of the local area, while also bringing significant economic benefit to surrounding towns by creating tourist attractions.  

Community Event of the Year – Baw Baw Biggest Blokes BBQ

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L to R: Cr Keith Cook, Mayor Annemarie McCabe, Michael Blackwood, Craig Debnam, Andrew Schreyer, Jamie Power, Rachael Newton, Michael Grogan, Dean Addison, Deputy Mayor Tricia Jones.

Run entirely by volunteers and established in 2012, Baw Baw's Biggest Ever Blokes BBQ has now raised more than $1.7 million in the Baw Baw region, as the committee seeks to heighten prostate cancer awareness and other health initiatives.

They raise much needed funds to encourage early testing and reduce prostate cancer-related deaths in the West Gippsland region. Funds raised are distributed both locally to support the West Gippsland community and nationally to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

The Biggest Blokes BBQ also supports the provision of first aid and mental health awareness training to local schools and community groups, including Baw Baw Live4Life.  

Medallion Award - Gippsland Pride Initiative

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L to R: Cr Keith Cook, Caitlin Grigsby, Daniel Bryen, Mayor Annemarie McCabe, Cr Tricia Jones. 

The Gippsland Pride Initiative Inc established in 2019, is the LGBTQIA+ Charity for Gippsland. This group was awarded for their work in advocating and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community in Gippsland.

Medallion Award - Gippsland Groovers Club

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L to R: Cr Keith Cook, Mayor Annemarie McCabe, Glenn Van Dord, Deputy Mayor Tricia Jones.

The Gippsland Groovers Club was awarded for their work in supporting people with a disability. The dance club gives people living with a disability an opportunity to enjoy themselves in a safe, happy, and fun environment.

Medallion Award - Tetoora Road Community Care and Volunteers

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L to R: Cr Keith Cook, Mayor Annemarie McCabe, Alan Tatlow, Ann Bullen, Wayne Notman, Rob East, Peter King, Barb Shone, Deputy Mayor Tricia Jones.

The centre’s volunteers have been awarded for their tireless work in getting the centre to where it is today. A completely refurbished hall and grounds with the support of the various community members.

Medallion Award - Laurie Collins

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L to R: Mayor Annemarie McCabe, Laurie Collins, Deputy Mayor Tricia Jones, Cr Keith Cook.

Laurie was awarded for his dedication to sharing his skills and time with the local community. Laurie offers his Gallery in Jindivick for monthly exhibitions. He also regularly shares his skills and knowledge in metal work with those keen to learn, including and particularly people living with a disability.

Medallion Award - Debbie Brown

 

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L to R: Mayor Annemarie McCabe, Laurie Collins, Deputy Mayor Tricia Jones, Cr Keith Cook.

Debbie Brown was awarded for her commitment to the Longwarry Food Bank. As well as organising the delivery of hampers each time the bank is open as well as the dry goods, Debbie arranges for people to cook meals to accompany the goods.

Medallion Award - Alan Tatlow

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L to R: Deputy Mayor Tricia Jones, Alan Tatlow, Mayor Annemarie McCabe, Cr Keith Cook.

Alan was awarded for his time and commitment to various volunteer roles in Baw Baw. Through music therapy, Alan brings joy to many, in particular those in local aged care facilities, and to residents in Alzheimer’s wards.

Alan, in addition to his musical contributions, has served as a volunteer in various local organisations, including Rotary.

Medallion Award - Scott Goldman

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L to R: Deputy Mayor Tricia Jones, Cr Keith Cook, Scott Goldman, Mayor Annemarie McCabe.

Scott Goldman was awarded for his deep commitment to youth development. Respected in sports and church, he bridges faith and sporting engagement, guiding transformative youth initiatives.


Thank you to all community members who made a nomination for the 2024 awards.

Nominations for the 2025 awards will open in October/November 2024.

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive an Australia Day Award the following criteria must be met:

  • All individuals must be Australian Citizens.
  • Nominees for Baw Baw Shire Council’s Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year must be a resident of Baw Baw Shire.
  • Nominations for the Community Group of the Year must be a registered not for profit organisation in Baw Baw Shire and have provided the community service primarily in Baw Baw Shire.
  • Events nominated for Community Event of the Year must have been held within the Shire and be able to demonstrate they are organised by a not-for-profit group or organisation.
  • Only one person may be nominated per nomination form.
  • No self-nominations will be accepted. However, group self-nominations are accepted.

Award Categories and Nomination Guidelines

Citizen of the Year

Recipient is someone who has demonstrated through their hard work and dedication that they:

  • provide a significant contribution to the community in the current year or over a number of years;
  • demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and/or are a role model for their community members or organisations, or;
  • excel in one of the areas of arts or culture, sport and recreation, business, the environment or community service.

Young Citizen of the Year

Recipient is someone who:

  • must be 25 years of age or under on 26 January of the year in question; and
  • demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and/or are a role model for their community members or organisations or;
  • has either made a noteworthy contribution during the current year and/or has given outstanding service for the local community over a number of years.

Community Organisation of the Year

An organisation or group that:

  • has performed outstanding community service to the local community, either during the current year and/or given outstanding service to the local community over a number of years;
  • has demonstrated that they meet a community need or priority and has provided exceptional service to the community; and
  • operates within the municipality.

Community Event of the Year

Recipient is an organisation or group which:

  • has staged a noteworthy community event within the Shire during the past year; and
  • demonstrates that they are a community event and a not for profit organisation or group.

Assessment

Recipients will be selected by a panel consisting of the Mayor, Councillors and Council Officers. The panel will consider all eligible entries against the assessment criteria and select the most outstanding nominee in each category.

Awards Ceremony

Award recipients will be notified in December and publicly announced at the annual Baw Baw Shire Council Australia Day Awards ceremony in January 2024.

Date: Wednesday 24 January

Time: Doors open at 6pm, for a 6.30pm start

Venue: Fountain Room, West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul. 

Submit a Nomination

Now that you've read all the important information, it's time to submit your nomination. Use the link below to access the nomination form.

Submit a Nomination

Have questions?

We’re here to help! For more information about the Baw Baw Shire Australia Day Awards, please contact Council’s Community Events Team on 1300 229 229 or by email at events@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au