Nillumbik Community Awards

This award recognises a person of any age who has made an outstanding contribution over the past year and/or given outstanding service to the Nillumbik community over a number of years.

2024 Winner

Warwick Leeson OAM

Warwick has represented the Shire of Nillumbik as a Councillor and Mayor and continues to actively serve various communities of the Shire with dedication and enthusiasm. The range of community groups that Warwick is associated with is astonishingly diverse, and his dedication is always directed towards making communities stronger, healthier, more resilient and engaged. Warwick’s keen enthusiasm and strong leadership are a source of inspiration to all with whom he engages.

2024 Finalists

Ross Clark

Ross is a quiet achiever. His many years of volunteer service show that he loves helping those who need a helping hand. Ross is sharp-witted and has a dry sense of humour. He takes notice of the people around him and loves a chat. His friendliness and ability to listen create openings to offer practical help. Consequently, many young L2P Drivers, shed members and community members have received Ross’ help.

John Fecondo

John is a Nillumbik community member who has made a significant impact on the Banyule Nillumbik Local Learning and Employment Network, as a Board Member and a volunteer in several of our programs. John is also an active member of several other community organisations and committees, reflecting his genuine care and support of his local community and the people in it.

Neville and Cathy Mears

Neville and Cathy have been long-serving administrators of the Diamond Valley Tennis Association (DVTA). Through their committed drive and focus over a 35-year period, the DVTA has grown to become a very successful tennis competition. Their efforts enable more than 1,500 participants (men, women and children) to play tennis competitions each year in the local community. Neville and Cathy are retiring from their role as administrators in 2024. They will be missed in this capacity.

Charlotte Pratt

Charlotte has dedicated her time to supporting families with multiple births, understanding the unique challenges they face, including health, emotional and social isolation risks. Each week, she spends around two hours with twin babies, engaging them in songs, play and developmental activities. Her gentle, calm and curiosity-led approach has significantly impacted the children’s growth, boosting their confidence and social skills.

Beyond her direct work with the children, Charlotte’s support has also provided parents with much-needed respite and the opportunity to manage essential tasks, contributing positively to their mental wellbeing. Through her ongoing commitment, Charlotte has supported numerous families over the years, embodying the spirit of community care and making a lasting difference in the lives of those she assists.

Ross Taylor

Ross is a local grandfather who has been volunteering with Big Group Hug since 2020. He's the team leader of the equipment section and supervises the checking, cleaning, and safety requirements of hundreds of prams, cots, bassinets and, very importantly, car seats and capsules donated second-hand to Big Group Hug. He goes to the warehouse weekly and tests and tags precious equipment (sterilizers, vaporizers, etc) at home to ensure they are safe for recipients.

Gemma Whyte

For more than 40 years, Gemma has been deeply engaged with the community, starting as a primary school teacher in the area and even returning during the pandemic to assist at Kangaroo Ground Primary School. It’s heart warming to see former students and their families fondly recognise her wherever she goes. Gemma has also been a dedicated member of the Eltham Lions Club for eight years, serving as treasurer, secretary and membership chair, despite stepping back due to Parkinson’s disease. She now continues her support as the club's Facebook coordinator. Additionally, Gemma has been a steadfast volunteer at the Brotherhood of St Laurence op shop in Eltham where she volunteers twice a week, becoming a beloved figure among locals who often visit just to chat with her. Her car is always filled with donations for the op shop, showcasing her unwavering commitment to the community.

This award recognises a Nillumbik community group or not-for-profit organisation that has made an outstanding contribution for the benefit of the Nillumbik community, its residents, and/or environment over the past year.

2024 Winner

Lions Club of Eltham

The Lions Club of Eltham is a small but very vibrant service group with only 13 members. They are involved with everything from assisting other groups in running events to running a myriad of events themselves. They provide financial support for individuals and groups in the area and assist individuals in times of need. They are always looking forward to the next event or need, rarely looking back. They are the glue that helps hold the community together.

2024 High Commendation

Rotary Club of Eltham

The Rotary Club of Eltham is a community service club of 58 men and women of all ages from diverse backgrounds. The club is an active and inclusive group of people committed to:

• supporting those in need through community projects
• working with a wide range of other local community groups
• supporting our youth through personal development programs
• protecting our natural environment
• organising family-friendly community events.

2024 Finalists

Allwood Neighbourhood House

Allwood Neighbourhood House is located in Hurstbridge and is the only incorporated Neighbourhood House in Nillumbik. Allwood creates opportunities for community engagement and participation by providing educational, social, arts and wellbeing programs with a strong focus on sustainability and protecting the environment. In the last three years, Allwood has undergone a significant period of change. Staff and dedicated volunteers have transformed Allwood House into a vibrant hub of community programs, workshops, activities and events.

Australian Breastfeeding Association Diamond Valley Group

The Australian Breastfeeding Association Diamond Valley Group provides information and support to local families and health professionals to help new families meet their breastfeeding goals. They run local group meetings, breastfeeding classes, provide breast pump hire and attend local festivals to provide feeding and changing facilities. Increasing breastfeeding rates in the community improves health outcomes for mother and baby and has a positive environmental impact by reducing waste and carbon footprint.

Connected St Andrews core group

The Connected St Andrews core group of volunteers comprises 10 local leaders who have together shown extraordinary commitment to building a more connected St Andrews and surrounds, with the aim of being better prepared for future emergencies. These leaders represent local organisations, including the school, Men's Shed, CFA, tennis club and Wadambuk St Andrews Community Centre. Connected St Andrews has led the delivery of a fantastic range of high-quality local community projects and events.

Diamond Valley Community Support Volunteer Hub

The Hub was established in May 2020 and provides links for supporting and connecting volunteers and Volunteering Involving Organisations across the council areas of Nillumbik and Banyule. The Hub lists available volunteer roles, matching volunteers to positions, and providing relevant training resources. The Volunteers Hub is managed by Diamond Valley Community Support Inc.

This award recognises an exceptional young person up to the age of 25 who has made an outstanding contribution and/or given outstanding service to the Nillumbik community over the past year.

2024 Winner

Bethany Woodman

Inspiring and tireless, 24 year old Bethany embodies selflessness and dedication as a midwife and Research CFA volunteer firefighter, Junior CFA leader, and CFA social media co-runner. From battling blazes to nurturing new life, she's a beacon of hope. Consistently steadfast, her commitment never wavers, always poised to lend a helping hand. With each local CFA planned burn she attends, she ensures community safety. Bethany's multifaceted service is truly inspiring and deserving of recognition.

2024 High Commendation

Mikayla Mountney

Mikayla is a 25 year old Greensborough resident who attends Araluen. Through a disability support worker, she has begun visiting preschool children at Story House Early Learning in Diamond Creek each week since February. Interacting with Mikayla is not only fun for the kids but also teaches them the importance of inclusion, accessibility and kindness.

2024 Finalist

Hansikaa Sharma

Hansikaa spearheaded 'Christmas Cheers', a project that revolutionised the holiday experience for residents at Aurrum Plenty Aged Care. Through personalised handmade Christmas cards, she showcased creative leadership, touching hearts with her artistic flair. Each card blended beauty and emotion, fostering connections beyond words. Hansikaa's initiative transformed into a profound artistic exchange, bridging generations and eliciting heartfelt responses. Her endeavour underscores the transformative power of creativity in fostering emotional connections and enhancing community spirit.

Artists, creatives, collectives or cultural practitioners who have contributed to and championed the development of a thriving, interconnected, diverse, inclusive and resilient creative community.

2024 Winner

Pat Reynolds

Without Pat Reynolds, St Andrews wouldn’t be the wonderful place it is today. Her contribution to the community, township and local environment is second-to-none. She’s the instigator and champion of numerous projects, which many enjoy immensely. Because of Pat, we have a beautiful, usable community hall, complete with an AV system, a nature walking trail, a film society, artistic educational signage, and indigenous vegetation landscaping for St Andrews market, hall and community centre.

2024 Finalists

Diamond Valley Singers

Diamond Valley Singers is a community group based in Diamond Creek. Established in 1985, they are about to celebrate their 40th anniversary of making music in the community next year. Their diverse programs include choral works, musical theatre productions and youth shows. The group welcomes members with varied musical tastes and encourages diversity, with involvement in various roles, from performing onstage to behind-the-scenes, including production management, lighting, sound, crew, scenic artists, makeup and costuming.

Eltham Jazz, Food & Wine Festival Committee

The Eltham Jazz, Food, and Wine Festival Committee celebrated their 25-year anniversary event in 2024. The Festival is a premier cultural event for the Shire, and in 2019 it was ranked as one of the World’s Top 20 Jazz Festivals by American Express Essentials. The Committee of 10 dedicated volunteers is committed to providing an event for visitors to enjoy great live music and food on offer and soak up the wonderful atmosphere of Nillumbik.

Mary-Lou Pittard

Mary-Lou is a professional ceramic artist who resides and works in Eltham. She has led several public art installations in the Shire, is an active supporter of the arts, and is the President and member of the Nillumbik Open Studio program. Her contribution to the community has been significant for over 25 years. Of note is Mary-Lou's important work with young school children, sharing and teaching them her passion for the arts.

Recognises a significant contribution to advance the rights of all people regardless of age, gender, ability or background while creating meaningful change aligned to Council’s Access, Equity and Inclusion Policy(PDF, 844KB) and identified priority groups.

2024 Winner

Phil Petersen

Phil has made a remarkable impact as a mentor to James, a young man with Batten's Disease, a condition that has left him with almost complete vision loss and other significant disabilities. Despite the challenges, Phil stepped up when James, who had long dreamed of becoming a carpenter, sought help in pursuing his passion. Phil began mentoring him in wood crafting, meeting weekly at James' home in Kangaroo Ground. Through Phil's unwavering support, James learned to safely handle tools and create beautiful wooden items, including a native cherry hardwood fork and spoon. Phil’s dedication not only helped James realise his dream but also boosted his confidence and sense of purpose. Now, James regularly attends the Men's Shed, continues his mentorship with Phil, and is even planning to start a small business. Phil's extraordinary mentorship has transformed what once seemed an impossible dream into a life-changing reality for James.

2024 Finalists

Elise Halton

Elise has made an incredible effort in conceptualising, planning and delivering three outstanding International Women’s Day events held annually in Panton Hill. Elise brings her strength as a women’s advocate and natural connector to the forefront, with these events celebrating women’s skills, contributions and strengths in an inclusive and enjoyable format.

Jennifer Johnsen

Jennifer has been pivotal in community empowerment in Nillumbik. Initially aiding Messy Play Day, she progressed to Marketing and Events Coordinator, revamping promotions and establishing new playgroups. Advocating for ASD awareness, she expanded Messy Play Days and introduced sensory-friendly events, all selling out. Jennifer then joined Eltham South Preschool's committee, organising fundraisers. She shifted focus to mental health, volunteering with Lifeline. Recently, she joined Imagine Re-Evolution, helping at-risk teenagers grow practical skills.

Recognises significant contributions to enhancing Nillumbik’s environment and/or to taking climate action. This includes those who undertake, lead, support or inspire others to take action in areas such as biodiversity, waste, water, transport, energy or any other area that enhances local sustainability or environmental outcomes.

2024 Winner

Boomerang Bags Nillumbik

Boomerang Bags Nillumbik consists of approximately 15 members who attend the Hurstbridge Community Hub each Tuesday to sew sustainable bags for the community with a mission to eliminate plastic bags. Since 2017, they have made recycled fabric bags for local businesses and participants in Nillumbik programs, including citizenship ceremonies, Nillumbik Leaders, Place Shapers, Carer’s Collective, and the State Government e-waste initiative. They also work with schools and local children through educational programs around sustainability.

2024 Finalists

Great Tree Collective

The Great Tree Collective is comprised of artistic community members working together in response to the impacts of climate change and the ongoing effects of logging. The collective uses the process of eco-printing upcycled woollen blankets and is creating a life-size (80+ metre) Mountain Ash tree to honour and build awareness of the critically threatened Mountain Ash ecosystem and the importance of protecting large old native habitat trees in the landscape.

Katrina Naish

Katrina Naish continues to provide new initiatives through her business, A Fitting Connection, to help the wider community reduce, reuse and recycle textiles. In the last year, she has organised collection bins that have diverted more than 10,000kg of waste, run more than 160 upcycling programs, and set up a Creative Community Space that is home to a resource recovery centre for craft and fabric supplies.

Tanya Sharma

Tanya has been proactive in environmental advocacy, petitioning the Nillumbik Shire Council to address the dangers of cigarette butt litter. She champions the installation of dedicated bins in parks, shopping centres, and schools, fostering a cleaner, safer community. Tanya's initiative underscores her commendable commitment to environmental stewardship and community wellbeing, promoting sustainability through responsible waste disposal.

Recognises demonstrated commitment towards progressing reconciliation in Nillumbik through community programs, events, initiatives and/or fostering meaningful partnerships with First Nations people.

2024 Winner

Research Junior Football Club

Research Junior Football Club (RJFC) is an inclusive, family-oriented, and successful club offering teams for local kids from Under 9s to Under 18s. RJFC provides an Auskick program for younger kids to develop their skills before playing competitively. RJFC is welcoming and inclusive for the local community. RJFC is a juniors-only club, solely focusing on the development of kids with an outstanding football program in a diverse, fun, safe and family-friendly environment.

2024 Finalist

David Kerrigan

David has been a volunteer at Allwood Neighbourhood House for three years. During this time, he has supported the organisation and the local community by learning and sharing the history of Hurstbridge and surrounds, supporting events, activities and workshops, and more recently becoming the Vice President of Allwood's Committee of Governance. David has a friendly, welcoming and inclusive approach to all he does. He is passionate about community, history and is dedicated to Reconciliation, learning and sharing.