The 2024 Australia Day Awards will not progress due to lack of community support and nominations in previous years. Council will instead celebrate community contribution through a series of National Volunteer Week events, to be held across National Volunteer Week, 20-26 May 2024. Planning is well underway for 2024 events to be held throughout the municipality.
If you have questions about this change, please contact Wellington Shire Council's Wellington Centre Support Officer on 1300 366 244 or email enquiries@wellington.vic.gov.au.
Wellington Shire Council's Australia Day Awards recognise and honour the outstanding achievement by individuals and groups in our community.
Past recipients have received awards in the following categories:
Please find a list of past recipients listed below. Note - as of 2023, Council has not conducted Australia Day Awards due to lack of support and nominations from the community.
2022: Ray Akers
2021: Kate Mirams
2020: Michael Page
2019: Laurie Smyth
2018: Steve Pendrick
2017: Mark Thorpe
2016: Andrew Bedggood
2015: David Harrington
2014: Peter Donovan
2013: Jim Feltis
2012: Peter Vranek
2011: Jessie Walker
2010: Pat Cameron
2009: Stan Alcock and Dr Ali Khan
2008: Ian Kennedy
2007: Gillian Mayhew
2006: Maureen Beha
2005: Ronald Hewitt
2004: Ben Davies
2003: Heather Stewart
2002: Not Awarded
2001: Louise Dugan
*In 2004 a Wellington Special Award for Exceptional Service to the Heyfield Community was presented to Vern Scott.
2022: Archie Towers
2021: Not Awarded
2020: Alex Nicholls
2019: Tilly Korbman
2018: Thomas Crosbie
2017: Wyatt Kilgower
2016: Sarah Jeffery
2015: Benji Scarfo
2014: John Molden
2013: Not Awarded
2012: Nellie Hunt
2011: Thomas Haymes
2010: Melissa Taylor
2009: Anita Heath
2008: Amanda Read
2007: Narelle Hahn
2006: Victoria Triantafyllou
2005: Laura Moore
2004: Michael Bruns and Anna Melville
2003: Steven Richards
2002: Not Awarded
2001: Fional Clyne and Crystal Davies
2022: The Junior Hive
2021: A Better Life for Foster Kids
2020: Sale City Band
2019: Stratford Victoria Sister Cities Committee
2018: Sale to Sea Inc.
2017: Sale Central Rotary Club
2016: Lake Glenmaggie Community Representative Group Inc.
2015: Rosedale Chamber of Commerce
2014: The Five Star Project
2013: Heyfield Community Resource Centre
2012: Not Awarded
2011: Yarram Secondary College 'Emergency Expo'
2010: Helga's Project for Kids and Wurruk Harmony Group
2009: Woodside and District Football Netball Club
2008: Sale Cancer Council Unit
2007: Sale Baptist Church Youth Group
2006: Kingsway Community Care
2005: Not Awarded
2004: Central Gippsland Branch of the RSPCA
2003: Maffra Rotary Club
2002: Not Awarded
2001: Not Awarded
2022: Not Awarded
2021: Not Awarded
2020: Annual Primary School Twilight Soccer Tournament
2019: Yarram Centenary of Flight Airshow
2018: Heyfield Food and Wine Festival
2017: Seaspray Centenary Celebrations
2016: Stratford - Saluting our Heritage (Stratford Cemetery Trust)
2015: Gippsland Vehicle Collection's Tenth Birthday Celebrations
2014: Gippsland Branch of the Mountain Cattleman's Association of Victoria
2013: Dancing with our Stars
2012: International Winter Festival
2011: St. Thomas Primary School
2010: Lions International District Convention - Hosted by Stratford Lions Club
2009: Wellington 'Relay for Life' Event
2008: Werna Lidi Festival
2007: Gippsland Vehicle Collection Grand Opening
2006: Wellington 'Relay for Life' Event
2005: Not Awarded
2004: Stratford Victoria Sister Cities
2003: Stratford Shakespeare Association
2002: Not Awarded
2001: Not Awarded
*In 2004 a Specialised Event of the Year was awarded to the Heyfield and District Vintage Machinery Group, the 9th National Historical Machinery Association Rally - Heyfield.
2022: Ben Davies
2021: Cathy Cook