Australia Day Award winners

Published on 23 January 2019

Australia Day flags.jpg

Horsham Rural City Council has announced its Australia Day Award winners for 2019.   The awards will be presented during Australia Day celebrations at Sawyer Park in Horsham.

Mayor Mark Radford said Jeff Pekin and Maree Thompson had been named as joined 2019 Citizens of the Year.

“Both Jeff and Maree have made a significant contributions to the community over many, many years.  They have demonstrated strong community involvement and are well respected amongst a wide community,” he said.

Jeff Pekin has undertaken services with the following organisations:

  • Chairperson for the Wimmera Sports Assembly
  • Past President and life member of the Horsham Table Tennis Association
  • Conducts after school table tennis programs
  • Volunteer to coach the Access All Abilities participants, and Horsham Rockets who competed in the Tri State Games
  • Organised many working bees for people who are ill or suffering hardship

Maree Thompson has undertaken services with the following organisations:

  • Actively involved with the Horsham Lawn Tennis
  • Life Member of the Pimpinio Football Netball Club
  • Volunteers her time to assist with junior tennis and netball teams competitions
  • Undertaken the Junior Team Manager roles for interleague tournaments
  • Tireless volunteer for Horsham’s Meals on Wheels

Sebastian Dalgleish has been selected as Young Citizen of the Year. 

“Sebastian is an enthusiastic young person with a genuine interest in assisting others.   He has an interest in volunteering for his community and demonstrates strong leadership skills and encourage others to strive to do their best,” Cr Radford said.

Sebastian Dalgleish served in the following organisations:

  • Actively involved in Relay for Life for over 10 years and is a member of the Relay for Life Youth Committee
  • Inspiring member of the National Youth Halogen Leadership Group in assisting and achieving Care pack for the homeless
  • Vice Caption in 2018 for St Brigid’s College
  • Represented his school at the Darwin Defenders and Remembrance Day ceremonies
  • 2018 undertaken volunteer work in small remote villages in Cambodia
  • Umpired at School Sport Australia National Championships in 2016 & 2017
  • Recognised as a leading football umpire and is a member of the VFL Rookie Squad
  • Awarded the Wimmera Sports Assembly, Sport Star of the Year in 2017

Cr Radford said that the Community Event of the Year had been awarded to the Horsham Motorcycle Club and its Committee for the excellent success of the 2018 World Junior MX Championships.  This has been possible due to the many volunteers that assisted with the delivery of this first and biggest major World Junior MX Championship event in Australia of which the event attracted 24 participating countries.

“Congratulations goes to all community members involved with the most outstanding community event for 2018 being the World Junior MX Championship,” he said.

Australia Day awards recognise and honour individuals and groups who have made an outstanding contribution to our local community. 

“These awards are an integral part of our Australia Day celebrations and I congratulate all of our award recipients and nominees.  There are so many outstanding people in our community doing a great job to make our city a better place to live and it important that we celebrate their achievements,” Cr Radford said.

Cr Radford encouraged residents to join in Australia Day celebrations on Saturday, 26 January 2019 throughout the municipality. 

“Celebrations in Horsham will kick off with a free barbeque breakfast at 7am followed by official proceedings from 8am. 

During the proceedings there will be the Australia Day Address by Ambassador Matthew Albert (see profile attached), a flag raising ceremony, the National Anthem, an Australian children’s story and other entertainment.  A highlight of the event will be an Australian Citizenship Ceremony, where residents will pledge their commitment to our great nation and embrace the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship,” Cr Radford said.

Cr Radford said that Australia Day is a special day for all Australians to come together and celebrate our community and what we love about the country we call home.  I encourage all Australians, new and old, by birth or by choice, to join in Horsham’s Australia Day events and celebrate our great nation,” he said.

Other Australia Day Ceremonies in Horsham Rural City:

Brimpaen - Brimpaen Hall

Country breakfast 8am
Official Ceremony 9am

  • Guest Speaker – Eh Doh Soe Hserhei from Myanmar Burma  
  • Flag raising ceremony

Natimuk – In front of Natimuk Community Centre

Official Ceremony 11am

  • Australia Day Address – Ambassador Matthew Albert
  • Flag raising ceremony
  • Entertainment by Natimuk Brass Band and Voices of the Wimmera
  • BBQ lunch to follow the ceremony

Dadswells Bridge – Dadswells Bridge Hall

Official Ceremony 11am

  • Guest Speaker – Janet Witham of Halls Gap Historical Society 
  • Flag raising ceremony
  • Refreshments provided
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