Community

New community award winners announced

On Monday May 15, the new Bass Coast community awards were announced.

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Published May 18, 2023

New community award winners announced — Winners of the 2023 Bass Coast Community Awards, announced at an event on Monday at the RACV Resort in Inverloch, with Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan.

On Monday May 15, the new Bass Coast community awards were announced, in a special ceremony at the RACV Resort in Inverloch.

The awards, timed to coincide with National Volunteer Week, celebrated and honoured the true spirit and heart of our region.

Council said the new format was eagerly embraced by the community with strong nominations for all four categories: Environment and Sustainability; Community Group; Next Generation Leader; and Community Leader.

Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan, said all nominees were outstanding examples of the individuals and groups who provide the passion, enthusiasm and community-spirit which make Bass Coast a great place to live.

“The new Bass Coast Community Awards celebrate the very best of Bass Coast life, which provides potent inspiration for the rest of us to aspire to,’’ Cr Whelan said.

“Every person nominated does what they do because they love it. They do not do it for public recognition, which makes recognising them at the Bass Coast Community Awards VIP presentation evening even more special.”

Cr Whelan congratulated and thanked all nominees and winners – and everyone who selected them – for helping make the new Bass Coast Community Awards a tremendous success. He said the council looks forward to welcoming nominations for the 2024 awards!

The 2023 Bass Coast Community Awards winners are:

Environment and Sustainability Award: Paul Speirs, Archies Creek Reforestation Group.
Community Group Award: Wonthaggi Boxing Club Inc.
Next Generation Leader Award: Liam Marangio, Cape Paterson Surf Life Saving Club.
Community Leader Award: Catherine Watson, Save Western Port Woodlands.

Twenty-nine people or groups were nominated across the four categories.

Congratulations to all the 2023 Bass Coast Community Awards nominees, who made this brand-new program possible.

Award winners

Environment and Sustainability Award: Paul Speirs

Paul encapsulates what it means to be a true environmental sustainability leader.

Paul has lived in Bass Coast for over 30 years now and has dedicated a large portion of his life to volunteering for Landcare. Paul moved from Melbourne to Archies Creek to start a family, while also becoming a Riparian re-vegetator.

Paul inspired his neighbours to start the Archies Creek Reforestation Group in the early 90s. Since then, the group has planted more than 200,000 plants in their local area. On Paul's and five of his neighbouring properties they have planted an incredible 100-metre wide Biolink.

Community Group Award: Wonthaggi Boxing Club Inc

In 2017, committee members of the Wonthaggi Boxing Club approached Council because they saw an opportunity to utilise the old, abandoned CFA building in Watt Street Wonthaggi as the next home for the boxing club. At this time, the premises had been vandalised inside and was very untidy outside.

After receiving permission to lease the building, and with financial assistance and support from the state government and Council, the new location was turned into a boxing gym. Wonthaggi Boxing Club then also encouraged the building to be used by the local YMCA as their Youth Hub space which was then followed by local school groups.

This facility is an amazing example of a fantastic collaboration between innovative community groups.

Next Generation Leader Award: Liam Marangio

Liam has shown remarkable leadership and represents the future of our community.

The 19-year-old is a passionate member of the Cape Paterson Surf Lifesaving Club with more than 250 hours of patrolling and has helped save many lives. Liam has also shown himself to be extremely adept at garnering energy around the club, encouraging more and more people to become involved in providing valuable lifesaving services.

Joining the Club’s committee in the last year, Liam has already made a mark by personifying 'actions speak louder than words'. The passionate local has already achieved the highest award in volunteer lifesaving, the Gold Medallion.

Community Leader Award: Catherine Watson

Catherine is inspiring locals to stand up and fight to save the Western Port Woodlands. A vital community resource for Bass Coast residents and visitors, the woodlands is the last remnant block of coastal forest in the Shire.

Catherine created the group’s new name, Save the Western Port Woodlands, and has a quiet way of marshalling local groups. Catherine established Bass Coast Post, which for more than a decade has provided a platform for local people to write and discuss ideas.

Catherine has been quietly active in leading the conservation group, including advocacy, garnering public support through social media and co-ordinating gatherings to promote the cause. Catherine has also convened meetings, including the important Meet the Candidates Forum held before the Victorian election in 2022.

Catherine has an extensive list of people with expertise relating to the woodlands, who she cajoles into leading walks for anyone keen to learn more.

Nominees

Congratulations to all the 2023 Bass Coast Community Awards nominees, who made this brand-new program possible.

Community Group Award