Australia Day Awards

Berrigan Shire Council held the annual Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony on Friday, January 26 at 9:30am. 

Berrigan played host this year, with the awards held at: Apex Park Berrigan (Cobram Street, Berrigan).   


 

See previous years winners below:

2024 Citizen of the Year

Syd Dudley
Syd is highly regarded as a prominent member of the Finley Community.
He has worked tirelessly to champion over many voluntary and health advocacy roles for several decades.

Syd as chair of Finley Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC), has led and contributed to a unique intergrated health care model for his region.
This model incorporates Primary care, 3 aged care levels, and Finley Hospital and health services.

Syd is passionate and committed to the welfare of his community. He networks in the community to find any issues that need addressing and invites and listens and values input and contribution of all people. This is all to enable better health outcomes.
Syd led a team at Finley Regional Care who attracted General Practitioners (GP) to Finley. He then was integral in helping welcome them to transition into our local community. Those same GP’s have remained here in Finley settled for now over a decade.

Syd has been founding member of Finley Local Health Advisory Committee after being on Finley/Tocumwal Local Health Advisory Committee- combined, he saw the need for his local community to have their own committee.
This committee is vital in advocating for their community , involvement in planning and priority goal setting, evaluate of strategic and service planning and supporting local health service. To provide health literacy and important knowledge of the community and their needs. Syd inspiringly leads the committee of a diverse background of individuals. He allows each member to provide feedback, supports individuals, encourages participation and values opinions and input.

Syd has been working tirelessly on the planning for the Finley Hospital Redevelopment.
He has contributed to and facilitated a community consultation and feedback on the Finley Hospital Clinical Service Plan. The clinical service plan has been an integral resource and used for the Finley Hospital Redevelopment planning rebuild.
Syd has been a pivotal and persistently working over many years to advocate for improvements to Finley Hospital.

Syd has volunteered over the past 30 years, in numerous organisations. He has always volunteered his time freely, to ensure improved health facilities and better health services for our community. His purpose and dedication is to solely give back to the community to ensure continuity of services in his beloved home town.

 

Image (16).jpg

2024 Young Citizen of the Year

Madison McDiarmid

Madison continuously strives not only to make a difference in her school community but within our local community.

At only 17 years old she has already achieved many personal goals, received a number of awards and has a positive influence on our community members both young and old. Her positive and happy outlook on life is infectious and she brightens the day of the people she interacts with.
Madison's diligence has led to achievements in both academics and sports:

  • Elected as School Captain for 2024 at Cobram Anglican Grammar School.
  • Voted as House Captain in 2023 at Cobram Anglican Grammar School.
  • Awarded Dux of Year Ten in 2022 at Cobram Anglican Grammar School.
  • Rotary Club of Cobram Academic Scholarship in 2022. The recipient of this award is a student who uphold the core values of service, diversity, integrity and leadership.
  • Completed Certificate III in Sports & Recreation through AFL Sports Ready Program whilst undertaking a traineeship with Skillzone.

Madison also runs the On-Track Program for Under 6 & Under 7 athletes at Barooga Little Athletics Club. Her role at Barooga Little Athletics is both voluntary and focused on developing junior athletes skills and talent, which she thoroughly enjoys.

Image (15).jpg

2024 Sportsperson of the Year

Casey Chandler

Casey Chandler is an exceptional young person who excels in all sports. At only 14 years old, she is competing at the highest level in golf, AFLW and dance. Her golfing ability, in particular, is second to none, often outclassing and out-driving people more than twice her age.

Casey is an extraordinary role model for young people and her relaxed nature and carefree attitude is a testament to her upbringing and education.

All of Casey's work and sporting achievements are voluntary. As a 14- year-old, she relies heavily on parents to fund her sporting activities and travel expenses. Casey also volunteers to wash golf carts at the Cobram-Barooga Golf Club in her spare time.

Casey also actively encourages other juniors, especially females to participate in golf.

Image (13).jpg

2024 Sports Team of the Year

Berrigan Netball Club Under 17’s Team

The dedication and teamwork shown by the Berrigan U17’s Netball team is truly commendable.
Their commitment to both playing and supporting the club reflects the spirit of community and sportsmanship.

With the club looking like not putting forward a U17’s team, girls from the U15’s team stepped up and committed themselves to the season playing against older, more experienced teams. For a group of girls who have been primarily playing together since netsetgo, it was amazing to see them come together and excel every single week.

They worked hard and trained hard to make sure they kept near the top and made their way to the grand final.

The girls not only worked hard playing multiple grades of netball each week but supported their club by helping setup and pack up the courts, volunteering to help in the canteen and offering to umpire, score and timekeep other games.

Small sporting clubs don’t survive long without amazing support and these girls are definitely the future of our club. With Berrigan Netball Club in the hands of these girls, the future is looking bright.Image (14).jpg

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award

Sophie O'Donnell

The Duke of Edinburgh Award has three Levels including Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each Level is made up of four Sections which include Physical Recreation, Skills, Voluntary Service, and an Adventurous Journey.

To achieve each Level of the Award, you will need to meet the requirements of each Section as they are set out by your Award Level.

Congratulations Sophie.

Image (11).jpg