2024 Community Award recipients

Recognises a person of any age that has made an outstanding contribution and/or given outstanding service to the Nillumbik community.

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.

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.

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.

Recognises a young person up to the age of 25 years who has made an outstanding contribution and/or given outstanding service to the Nillumbik community.

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.

Recognises artists, creatives, collectives, or cultural practitioners who have made exceptional contributions to fostering a thriving, interconnected, diverse, inclusive, and resilient creative community. 

Also recognises the invaluable efforts of local community members, groups, societies, and professionals who have actively contributed to preserving and promoting arts, culture, and/or heritage. 

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.

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.

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.

Recognises demonstrated commitment towards progressing reconciliation in Nillumbik through community programs, events, initiatives and/or the fostering of 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.