General News
30 January, 2026
Carisbrook’s contributors celebrated
Carisbrook's Australia Day honoured locals and their contribution to the town's community.
The severity of Monday’s heat may have forced Carisbrook’s Australia Day ceremony indoors, but that didn’t stop attendees from honouring the achievements of hardworking locals.
As onlookers sat through several formalities made possible by Carisbrook Lions Club’s Kushal Khamar, Jefferson Hoober and George Nagy, the day was hosted by Tony Macer, with an address and Acknowledgement of Country done by Central Goldfields Shire deputy mayor Anna de Villiers.
The event took place inside Carisbrook Recreation Reserve’s clubrooms as Carisbrook Lions Club members Mr Nagy, Mr Hoober and Dale Volk, as well as Australia Day ambassador Harry Brindley and Member for Ripon Martha Haylett, spoke throughout the morning.
For the first honour, Jenni Newton-Farrelly was crowned the Jack O’Connor Mayor of the Day Award.
Dr Newton-Farrelly was recognised for her contributions to the Maryborough Garden Club and Carisbrook Historical Society, as well as the research and restoration of her historic Bucknall Street property.
Linda Pickering, Greg Butler and Sheree Lendon all took home this year’s Tilly Aston Achievement Awards.
Following years of contributions to the schools her children attended, followed by the Baringhup CFA, Ms Pickering was commended for her extensive community involvement over many years.
To this day, Ms Pickering still regularly volunteers with the Eddington and Dunolly Uniting Op Shop and is heavily involved with the Maryborough District Garden Club and The Carisbrook Mercury.
Former premiership player and volunteer coach, Mr Butler was recognised for his contribution to local sport, such as manning the gates and the Carisbrook Football Netball Club canteen.
He was also acknowledged for the efforts of him and his wife to establish a women’s program at the Carisbrook Football Netball Club.
In a moving speech, Mr Butler credited the township of Carisbrook and its football club for providing a welcoming place for his younger self.
“We have a strong community and I’m proud to be part of that, and to give something back that guided me when I’d come to play here,” he said.
“I live in Maryborough, but I don’t claim that. I tell everyone that asks where I’m from, ‘I live in Carisbrook’.”
Mr Butler’s emotional speech stunned the congregation and brought some listeners to tears.
“I do what I do for the longevity of our club, our town, our community,” he said.
“I want to pay back and show the young kids that play here what volunteering is about, what the club’s life is about, and why people should be involved.”
The final Tilly Aston Achievement Award was presented to Ms Lendon, a long-time volunteer who has spent countless hours with the Carisbrook Primary School council and put mammoth efforts into several Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League games.
The day’s formalities were then concluded with the formal induction of six new Carisbrook Lions Club members.
Bill Gourlay, Debra Templer-Long, Sally Turton, Logon Minter and Leanne and Kelvin Parker each expressed a desire to join Lions, all sponsored by Carisbrook Lions members.
All took an oath of service to abide by Lions’ assignments and become not only part of a local club, but an international organisation.
Ms Haylett commended the award recipients and the broader Carisbrook community, encouraging attendees to greet unfamiliar faces in the crowd and share each other’s Australian stories.
“I do want to acknowledge the Carisbrook Lions Club and all of the volunteer groups that make up this community ... there are so many that make up this town,” she said.
“What we have experienced in this room is what Australia Day is all about. The local heroes and volunteers, like Linda, Greg, Sheree, Jenni and Harry, thank you so much for every single thing you do.
“Carisbrook is a really special community, it just does so much and punches above its weight and has so many amazing people in it.”