The winners of the 2021 Australia Day awards were announced at ceremonies across Greater Shepparton today.

Camuran Albanoi was announced as the overall Greater Shepparton Citizen of the Year, with Natalie Dobbyn named Greater Shepparton Young Citizen of the Year and the Quarry Chorus, winning the Greater Shepparton Community Event of the Year.

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Councillor Kim O’Keeffe congratulated all award recipients and acknowledged the outstanding contributions they have made to Greater Shepparton.

“It was wonderful to be able to acknowledge and celebrate our community and nation after a challenging year, we have many individuals in our region who continue to make Greater Shepparton proud, and it was fantastic to be able to honour them in the way of an Australia Day award,” Cr O’Keeffe said.

"Thank you to those who took the time to submit a nomination to recognise their fellow citizens, it is fantastic to see both individuals and groups doing great things for their community and it is important that we recognise and celebrate them.”

Awards were presented in Arcadia, Shepparton, Dookie, Mooroopna, Murchison and Tatura and the Greater Shepparton Citizen, Young Citizen and Community Event of the Year were chosen from these regional winners.

See below a list of all award winners from the day, as well as individual profiles on each recipient.

Winners

Winner Profiles

Shepparton

Citizen of the Year – Camuran Albanoi (Overall Greater Shepparton Citizen of the Year)

Camuran has devoted countless years to multicultural harmony and diversity, and his passion for promoting cohesion and social inclusiveness in the community has been instrumental in the success of multiple Harmony Day Celebrations in Shepparton. Camuran has also devoted himself to social movement for mental health, driving de-stigmatisation, acceptance, inclusion, and participation in the community, with positive outcomes for people with mental health issues.
As community development coordinator and co-founder of Voices for Harmony, Camuran has inspired others in the community through his task oriented approach, leadership skills, passion, innovation and dedication. 
Camuran has also actively contributed to raising significant sums for the GV Health/Oncology Appeal and Camp Quality Foundation and has been recognised for his voluntary contribution as Chair to Parkside Neighbourhood Renewal Project.

Community Event of the Year - Quarry Chorus (Overall Greater Shepparton Community Event of the Year)

The Quarry Chorus was the highlight of the Shepparton Festival in March 2020. Held in a uniquely spectacular venue; an outdoor red-cliff amphitheatre below the Milky Way; the free community event left more than 600 audience members feeling awestruck. Under Creative Director Jaimie Lea, the event celebrated who we are collectively in Shepparton and fostered the development of a shared identity. The event encouraged social cohesion and harmony by inviting community members from a variety of backgrounds to actively partake in the community choir – with choristers attending a series of rehearsals, culminating in a final performance with over 100 greater Shepparton residents participating. The legacy of this event will carry on beyond just the event date, with the inclusive community choir continuing to grow, and be ready for performances in 2021 and beyond.

Young Citizen of the Year – Alana Cook

Alana volunteers her time at St Vincent’s Charity Shop where she provides assistance in all aspects of the shops operations. She is also a regular plasma donor to the blood bank which contributes to saving lives.
Alana is the civic participation champion and also takes on leadership roles at the Youth Foyer where she encourages other students to get involved with community events and assists staff in planning events held at the Foyer such as Wear it Purple Day, which strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people. Alana also organised and encouraged staff and students to donate to Share the Dignity Charity.

Senior Citizen of the Year – John Painter

John has been volunteering at ONEFM for close to ten years, first beginning while he was still teaching and then after he retired he increased his commitment to the station volunteering his time for up to 5 days a week. During this time he has helped promote many of the services that are available in Greater Shepparton as well as promoting not for profit organisations and fundraising appeals.
He also provides the community with vital information in emergencies such as the bushfires and the Covid-19 Pandemic.
He is a selfless individual who loves contributing and helping the community where ever possible.

Sports Award – Michael Clarke

Michael has more than 30 years’ experience in Zen Do Kai martial arts and has achieved the title of Kyoshi which is a 6th degree black belt. He has been training students since the early 90s and continues to do so. He is also the head instructor for Bob Jane Martial Arts in Muay Thai for Victoria.
Michael has been running children’s classes in both Zen Do Kai and Muay Thai as well as women’s only classes in in different styles and for self-protection. He also includes socially disadvantaged youths in his programs.
Michaels has been an inspiration and support to many in the community particularly young men and women teaching them respect for themselves and others, his support has helped many people gain self-confidence and a positive attitude. Michael also participates in charity work such as providing training for Zaide’s kick-a-thon.

Mooroopna

Citizen of the Year – Cath Birkett

Cath is an exceptional member of the Mooroopna community. In her contribution to Bone Marrow Research, Cath has not only given countless years and hours to raising money for the research, she has also been involved in creating the first Bone Marrow Register in the Goulburn Valley area.
Cath also dedicates her time to support Guiding in Australia, travelling throughout Victoria to share life learning skills both inside the home and outside in the workforce. Receiving the Wattle Award for her contributions, Cath's services have impacted, directly and indirectly on the lives and development of a large number of girls participating in Guiding in Victoria.

Young Citizen of the Year - Natalie Dobbyn (Overall Greater Shepparton Young Citizen of the Year)

Natalie has demonstrated excellent leadership skills while volunteering with the Mooroopna Fire Brigade over the last 10 years, becoming a lieutenant at such a young age. She is well respected among her peers, inspiring other females to join the brigade and encouraging younger members to better themselves.

Dookie

Citizen of the Year - Leiticia Harmer

Leiticia is always willing to help anyone in the community when the need arises. During Covid-19 restrictions, Leiticia rallied the community for support and arranged for deliveries of groceries to Dookie, servicing more than 70 people with fruit, vegetables, bread and meat.
Leiticia is also a member of Lifestyle Dookie, Dookie Tennis Club, and on the Committee for Dookie Memorial Hall and Dookie Arts.

Senior Citizen of the Year - John Milligan

John provides assistance to various community organisations with electronic material, particularly with the use of public address systems. John gives freely of his time and expertise to assist others, providing advice and physical installation when required. Always good humoured, John continues to promote Dookie to his wide circle of friends, and is actively involved in both the Dookie Men's Shed and the Dookie Film Group.

Community Event of the Year - Dookie Delivery Team during COVID19

The Dookie Delivery Team consists of several local suppliers and community members. The team organised food to be delivered to Dookie on a weekly basis for the residents of Dookie during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The service this group provided to the community assisted many to reduce or remove the risk of transferring Covid-19 around the community.

Murchison

Citizen of the Year - Bruce Smith

Bruce is an extremely competent and capable Secretary, President and committee member of many Murchison service and sporting organisations and he is a very highly respected member of the Murchison community.
His willingness to help and ability to get the job done well, along with his cool, calm demeanour, friendly, no-fuss attitude and his smiling face all contribute to the success of many Murchison community activities.
Bruce moved to Murchison around 2007. Although not born and bred here, he is extremely passionate about all aspects of Murchison and is keen to work tirelessly to improve and build on its development for locals and visitors alike.

Young Citizen of the Year Award - Bree McLarty

During the height of Covid-19 restrictions, Bree made a garden in the front of her home with decorated wooden spoons, inviting others to add their own contributions into the 'Spoon Island'. The garden was designed to spread public happiness and community joy to those walking past. Bree's work encouraged the community to get out and be active, and inspired others to also create their own spoons to add to the community.

Tatura

Citizen of the Year - Kaye Watson

Kaye is being recognised for her outstanding and endless work as a volunteer photographer and historian in the Tatura Community.
Kaye is a quiet, selfless person, accommodating of all requests from the community. She is very encouraging and assists others who show an interest in photography, giving freely of her knowledge and pursuits.  In this way, she is highly regarded in the community and sets a wonderful example for other community members and volunteers to emulate.
She is involved in the Tatura and District Historical Society; Tatura Hospital Auxiliary; Rodney Arts Society; GV Tree Group and Saint Andrew's Presbyterian Church.

Community Event of the Year - Rodney CWA – Bush Fire Relief Stalls

After the devastating Corryong/Tintaldra Bushfires in early 2020, the Rodney CWA ladies rallied to assist their sister branch in Tintaldra. Through a  street stall they raised much needed funds that assisted in providing local vouch to those affected by the fires. The event not only directly benefited those most in need, but also injected funds back into struggling local businesses. 
The Rodney CWA Branch is the only Branch in the Goulburn Valley West to have both a senior and junior branch and the only branch to have a life member.

Arcadia

Citizen of the Year - Ineka Berkama

Ineka is happy to give her time to the community, being actively involved in tree planting days, supporting CFA Sunday Markets and the annual Neighbourhood Christmas Party. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Ineka's business the Little Gourmet Food Company, provided beautiful meals to both Shepparton Food Link and Shepparton Food Share to distribute to the community. Ineka also delivered meals to an elderly local resident during the lockdown period so that he did not need to prepare meals or go out shopping.