2016 Australia Day awardees honoured
Published on 26 January 2016
Mildura Rural City Council has announced the recipients of its 2016 Australia Day Awards at today’s celebrations at the Nowingi Place.
Mayor Glenn Milne presented the Awards to the winners in the three categories during the official ceremony this morning.
“I am thrilled to announce Frank McCormick is our Citizen of the Year, Indi Clarke as Young Citizen of the Year and the Patchewollock Music Festival is the Community Event of the Year,” Cr Milne said.
While the reasons for their final selection are unique, the recipients of Mildura Rural City Council’s 2016 Australia Day Awards have all made significant contributions to our community and to the growth of our region.
Citizen of the Year – Frank McCormick
Mr McCormick’s dedication to our local community spans more than 60 years, having moved to Mildura in 1954 and purchasing a local newsagency. From that time he has been a member of a wide range of organisations, clubs and sporting and social groups, volunteering his time for the betterment of the district.
“It’s wonderful to see someone like Mr McCormick receive recognition in this manner,” Cr Milne said. “His volunteer and charity work has crossed so many areas and certainly hasn’t been limited to just one cause or one area needing support.
“Not only has he supported a number of local and national charities, Mr McCormick has even established his own charity – Stamps for Charity – which involves sourcing, restoring and selling old stamps to collectors, with the profits then donated to local groups.”
“With a resume of community and volunteer work so extensive it’s amazing he even has time to sleep, Mr McCormick is certainly a worth winner.”
Young Citizen of the Year – Indi Clarke
As an emerging leader in our local Indigenous community, Indi Clarke’s achievements over the past few years have proven to be hugely significant for local Aboriginal youth. His quiet commitment to raising awareness about Indigenous Youth issues and issues affecting the Aboriginal community as a whole, has seen Indi become a role model for all.
“From his work with MDAS as a Youth and Community Engagement Officer, as a convenor and facilitator of the Koorie Youth Network and his participation in the Northern Mallee Leaders program and the local NAIDOC Committee, Indi certainly has gone above and beyond in his endeavours to make a difference, not just within the Indigenous community, but for all,” Cr Milne said. “He has been instrumental in the establishment of an Aboriginal Youth Leadership Academy and a traditional Aboriginal dance group and also encourages broad participation in local sporting groups, setting an example through his own involvement.
“Indi’s leadership has been recognised outside our region as well, being nominated for the prestigious Ricci Marks Youth Award in 2015 which acknowledges outstanding Aboriginal youth across Victoria and being a member of the Department of Human & Health Services Youth Reference Group which helps to formulate policy and guide decision making at a state level.”
His willingness to help others be the best they can be, his positivity and dedication to his culture and community are just some of the wonderful reasons Indi was selected for this award.
Community Event of the Year – Patchewollock Music Festival
Some of the very best community events occur in our outlying communities and the Patchewollock Music Festival is a great example of how our dedicated residents in our rural areas pull together to create a sense of community.
“The Patchewollock Music Festival uses music, poetry and storytelling to bring the sometimes isolated residents of both Mildura Rural City Council and surrounding Shires together for a weekend of socialising, conversations and fun,” Cr Milne said.
“The enthusiastic committee, made up of volunteers from eight Mallee Track towns including Ouyen, Walpeup and Underbool, worked together to promote the event not just to locals, but also to visitors who come from far and wide to the Mallee. With over 1000 people attending the 2015 event, many visitors stayed to experience the wider Mallee region.
“From camp oven cooking challenges, to dog trails, art and sculpture exhibitions, cultural education, children’s activities and of course musicians, poets and performers, this event was a showcase of rural and regional life.”
The innovative, community drive event has grown to a three day event, giving this important corner of our municipality a wonderful social, cultural and economic boost each year.
Cr Milne congratulated all recipients of the 2016 Australia Day Awards, as well as those who were nominated for their outstanding contributions to our community.
“I really want to also thank everyone who took the time to nominate people and events for these awards. You all put so much effort into the applications and it shows the respect you have for these people and the difference their contributions have made to the lives of so many.”
ENDS