Australia Day Awards highlight local achievements
Published on 26 January 2024
Mildura Rural City Council’s 2024 Australia Day Award recipients have been announced, acknowledging the outstanding achievements residents and community groups make within our region.
This year’s Australia Day Award winners are:
Citizen of the Year
Kevin Willersdorf
Young Citizen of the Year
Jackson Mugenzi
Community Event or Project of the Year
AMES Multicultural Cup Soccer Tournament
Mayor Liam Wood presented the Awards at the Mildura Australia Day event at Nowingi Place today.
“The Australia Day Awards are not only among the most prestigious awards we can present to our community, they’re also a powerful way to acknowledge and honour the achievements of those whose contributions may otherwise go unnoticed,” he said.
“Our community thrives on the contributions of its residents and these awards allow us to highlight these amazing individuals and groups that shape our region.
“Congratulations to the winners and nominees and thank you for continuing to go above and beyond for others.”
Citizen of the Year
Kevin Willersdorf
Kevin has dedicated countless years to volunteer work within the Murrayville community and has had extensive involvement across numerous sporting clubs, emergency services and community groups that reflect a lifetime of commitment. Kevin’s achievements include:
- A Life Member of the Murrayville Basketball Club after playing for numerous years, serving as Secretary for three years, President for 10 years, Association President for five years and Association Committee Member for 12 years.
- Held several roles within the Murrayville Football Club, contributing as a long-term player, Committee member for seven years, Secretary for five years, Association Southern Mallee Committee Member for seven years, and Association Southern Mallee Vice President for four years, as well as a Trainer and Team Manager.
- Long-term player at the Murrayville Lawn Bowls Club where he has served as a Committee Member since 2008, Secretary and Association Committee member for over 12 years, Association Secretary for two years, and Lawn Bowls Association and Country Week representative for 25 years.
Kevin’s other contributions include:
- National Medal Recipient for 45 years of Service within the Murrayville Country Fire Association (CFA)
- National Medal Recipient for 40 years of Service within the Murrayville State Emergency Service (SES), served as Inaugural Secretary five years and Controller from 2012 to the present
- Served on the Murrayville Public Hall Committee for eight years, including five years as President
- South Australian Hospital Board representative for eight years
- Served as the Victorian Farmers Federation’s Murrayville Branch President for 15 years to the present
- Committee Member at Landcare for 30 years to the present and Secretary for eight years.
- Committee Member for eight years and President for six years at Neighbourhood Watch
- Committee Member for 15 years and President for six years at the Murrayville Community College Council
- Committee Member from 2019 to the present at the Murrayville Liaison Committee.
Young Citizen of the Year
Jackson Mugenzi
Jackson arrived in Mildura as a refugee from Rwanda in 2018. Despite facing many challenges throughout his life, he has accomplished significant achievements personally and academically in a short amount of time and has become a role model and leader in the Mildura community through his contributions at Youth Council.
His outstanding achievements include:
- Completed various certificates and a Diploma of Community Service
- Commenced a Bachelor of Social Work at La Trobe University, Mildura
- Works multiple jobs to support not only himself but his family in Africa
- Volunteering with Mildura English Language Centre and Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council (SMECC), leading to employment in multiple roles at BUPA Aged Care, the Christie Centre, Language Loop and Sunraysia Community Health Services
- SMECC Youth Worker and Youth Homework Club Coordinator
His dedication, involvement with families and engagement with outer organisations has culminated in his Homework Club being shortlisted for the 2023 My Education Awards as an Outstanding Out-of-School-Hours Learning Support Program Newcomer.
Jackson also plays an important role within the Burundian and Congolese communities, offering support around domestic violence, and assistance with filling out forms and citizenship advice.
Community Event or Project of the Year
Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES) Multicultural Cup Soccer Tournament
In partnership with Football Federation Sunraysia, Mildura English Language Learning Centre and Mildura Rural City Council, the AMES Multicultural Cup aims to nurture social cohesion and build connections between diverse communities and the broader community.
Held over two days in October last year, the tournament saw 10 teams representing 120 players and 150 spectators come together to celebrate sport and multiculturalism.
The event also promotes AMES not-for-profit education, training and settlement programs which are aimed at supporting newly arrived migrants and finding pathways to education and employment.
The tournament has introduced many newcomers to the local mainstream soccer competition and has helped to forge links between diverse communities living in Mildura.
It also highlights the cultural richness and diverse talents people from diverse backgrounds bring to the Sunraysia community.
ENDS