Moorabool’s most dedicated volunteers and community legends were celebrated at the 2026 Australia Day Awards, held at Bacchus Marsh Public Hall on Monday 26 January.
The annual awards recognise individuals and organisations who make outstanding contributions to Moorabool’s community through leadership, volunteering and community spirit and were presented to recipients by Moorabool’s mayor Steve Venditti-Taylor.
Long-time Bacchus Marsh local Peter Shilton was named Moorabool’s 2026 citizen of the year, in recognition of decades of service across a wide range of community organisations.
A former veterinarian and local business owner, Mr Shilton is currently chairman of the Pentland Hills Landcare Group and an active member of Moorabool’s Rotary Club.
He has chaired the Rotary Art Show for many years and is a familiar sight at community events, whether cooking sausages at Rotary barbecues or playing saxophone in the Rotary band. Since retiring, he has continued to volunteer extensively and is widely respected for his humble, hands-on approach and dedication to helping others.
“I’m accepting this award on behalf of members of the Rotary Club,” Mr Shilton said.
“The Rotary Club does so much for the community. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the people who made this possible, especially my wife Helen.”
The Community Event of the Year award went to Big Freeze in the Marsh 2025, a major fundraising event held each May at Maddingley Park in support of FightMND.
The event is organised by Anne Phyland and brings together hundreds of familiar faces from the community for a day of icy slides, football games and fundraising.
In 2025, the event raised an impressive $58,000 and attracted hundreds of spectators.
“It’s a privilege and an honour,” Mrs Phyland said of the award.
“This is a cause we’ve taken on with a passion because I believe no one should ever have to go through a diagnosis without hope.”
A Mayoral award was presented to Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics Centre (BMLAC) in recognition of its outstanding fundraising efforts for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
In March last year, the centre ran a five-hour Relaython at Masons Lane Reserve, challenging their little athletes to keep a relay baton moving continuously from 7am right through to noon.
The event raised over $9430, with participants completing 227 laps, the equivalent of 90.8 kilometres. Despite being one of the smaller sporting clubs in the shire, with 263 registered athletes, BMLAC was awarded the Royal Children’s Hospital Largest Centre Donation by Little Athletics Victoria.
Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics President Sandra Ibrahim and Secretary Gina Vasquez accepted the award on behalf of the sporting club.
“We are completely honoured to receive this Mayoral Award today,” Ms Ibrahim said.
“We’d love to have more support this year and get even more people involved,” Ms Vasquez said.
