By JESSE GRAHAM
THE Dandenong Ranges had its fair share of winners in last weekend’s Australia Day awards, with a primary school student and caring community member taking out accolades.
The Patch Primary School student, 10-year-old Georgia Grimmer received the Ken McIntosh Memorial Award for Young Environmental Achiever of the Year, while Monbulk’s Judy Thornburn received a certificate of recognition in the council’s 26 January ceremony.
Georgia received her award for her commitment in improving her school’s wildlife habitats, through leading teams to restore a fern gully and helping to remove and control weeds.
The young environmental stalwart has brought many other students with her on a crusade to protect the natural environment and has become the student spokesperson for her school’s environmental work.
Her enthusiastic work earned her an award in the Yarra Ranges Council’s Australia Day Awards, which was held at Yarra Glen Memorial Hall on the Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Ms Thornburn was recognised for her work with the Monbulk Care Network and its care shop, which she has been part of for years.
She has been an instrumental force in organising the group’s Christmas hampers, which help up to 70 local families, and co-ordinates support and information services.
Her genuine concern and willingness to help others were recognised by the council in the awards, which Yarra Ranges mayor Fiona McAllister said celebrated only a few of the amazing people in the area.
“I’d like to think that, while we celebrate all of our amazing people throughout the year, Australia Day gives the chance to give out some specific awards to celebrate and acknowledge a few of the really special people who put in so much to make a difference in our community,” she said.
Cr McAllister said that she had one thing left to say to the award recipients – thank you.
“Thank you all for the wonderful contribution you make to the community – it wouldn’t be the community we have if it wasn’t for people like you.”
