Benjamin Millar
Residents who help make Melton a wonderful place to be are being recognised this Australia Day via the City of Melton Community Achievement Awards.
The awards, to be presented during the council’s Australia Day event at The Willows Historical Park this Tuesday, celebrate the outstanding contribution of people who have made a positive and lasting impact in the Melton area.
Melton mayor Cr Kathy Majdlik said the awards are a time to reflect on local achievements and contributions by people who go above and beyond in giving their time to worthy pursuits.
“To stand out among what was an impressive field of nominees is quite a feat,” she said.
“It always makes me so proud to see what our local residents are achieving and contributing to the community and it’s a pleasure to recognise their efforts as leaders and volunteers.”
Annette Butterworth has been named the 2021 Citizen of the Year for her extensive volunteer work with local community, parent and preschool groups over many years.
Ms Butterworth served on the committee of management for the Melton Uniting Pre-School and as Treasurer for Rotary Club Caroline Springs, where she championed the development of the BusyFeet Melton program in 2013.
BusyFeet Melton is a weekly dance and movement program for children with disabilities that provides a safe and fun space for children to grow and develop.
At just 19 years of age, Lauchlan Wright is the Young Citizen of the Year for his dedication to keeping the community safe as a member of the Caroline Springs Fire Brigade.
He also supports the annual Christmas brigade and runs programs educating the community on fire safety.
Mr Wright won the CFA Encouragement Award in 2020 for his efforts during the devastating
2019/2020 bushfires.
Prabha Shrestha is the Gender Equity Leader of the Year in recognition of her work on women’s empowerment.
A member of the Nepalese community in the City of Melton, she is vice president of Didi Bahini Samaj Victoria, a women-led organisation committed to gender equality.
Zoe Attard , senior head coach at Specialist Hoops Basketball, is the Access and Inclusion Leader of the Year for her work making a difference to the lives of people living with disability.
Ehab Hadaya is the Intercultural Engagement Leader of the Year for actively supporting the local Iraqi Assyrian community and other newly arrived community members.
Ehab was instrumental in supporting the activities of the Iraqi group that meets in Caroline Springs and actively distributing COVID-19 related updates throughout 2020.
