CITIZEN OF THE YEAR... Shepparton Search and Rescue vice-president, Michael D'Elia has been part of many deployments, involved with the Road Crash Rescue Helicopter crew and was heavily involved in recent floods. He also assists young veterans in the community and provides excellent customer service as administrator of the Veterans Fruit Bowl website. Photo: Greater Shepparton City Council
RECIPIENTS of the 2023 Australia Day Awards were presented at ceremonies across Greater Shepparton last Thursday.
Shepparton Search and Rescue vice-president, Michael D’Elia, was announced as the overall Greater Shepparton Citizen of the Year.
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR… Shepparton Search and Rescue vice-president, Michael D’Elia has been part of many deployments, involved with the Road Crash Rescue Helicopter crew and was heavily involved in recent floods. He also assists young veterans in the community and provides excellent customer service as administrator of the Veterans Fruit Bowl website. Photo: Greater Shepparton City Council
Kathleen Treacy was Mooroopna and Greater Shepparton’s Senior Citizen of the Year, Elise Boyer was the winner of the Greater Shepparton and Tatura’s Australia Day Sports Award, while Denni Bathman was named Young Citizen of the Year for Greater Shepparton and Murchison.
Mayor, Cr Shane Sali, congratulated each of the award recipients and acknowledged the contributions that have each made to our region, saying, “We are lucky to have so many residents who continue to make meaningful and important changes to Greater Shepparton. It is great to be able to acknowledge their achievements through the Australia Day Awards.”
SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR… Kathleen Treacy is president of Rodney Park Village Residents Committee and volunteers at Mooroopna Place, where she organises events, provides one-on-one support through cooking meals, doing welfare checks in the village and being a voice for residents. During the flood, Kath coordinated and arranged material and practical assistance for people at Rodney Park. Prior to joining the Shepparton Villages community, Kath taught at St Mary’s PS and was a strong member of St Mary’s Church. Photo: Greater Shepparton City Council
2023 AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD RECIPIENTS
OVERALL GREATER SHEPPARTON
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Michael D’Elia
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Denni Bathman
SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Kathleen Treacy
AUSTRALIA DAY SPORT AWARD: Elsie Boyer
SHEPPARTON
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Michael D’Elia
SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Judith Longley
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Cassidy Ahmet
TATURA
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: John Lowe
SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Thelma Wood
SPORTS AWARD: Elsie Boyer
DOOKIE
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Suzie Hall
SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Joy Sims
MURCHISON
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Gordon Newton
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Denni Bathman
SPORTS AWARD: Aaron Niglia
COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR: Lizzie’s Legacy
MOOROOPNA
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Neville Musgrove
SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Kathleen Treacy
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR… Denni Bathman is a keen member of the Murchison & District Historical Society and fulfilled a wide range of tasks for the Murchison Meteorite 30 year anniversary. While attending Murchison PS, she attended DP Jones Nursing Home and the heritage centre. She exceeds at school and in May 2022, was awarded the Young Volunteer of the Year Award. She has gained work experience with a local politician in Parliament House in Melbourne and is also a member of the Greater Shepparton Young Champion Youth Committee, and a keen ambassador for Murchison. Photo: Kelly Carmody/Rainbow Images
