The Advertiser recognises January 26 is not a day of celebration for all Australians. 
January 26 is a day of mourning for many, and a day to mark the survival of ongoing traditions and cultures of our First Nations people.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Dja Dja Wurrung People, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

It’s no secret the Central Goldfields Shire is home to dedicated, community-minded people, with the contributions of two residents and one community event recognised during yesterday’s Australia Day celebrations.

Hundreds of residents turned out to see long-time resident Tony Macer named the Central Goldfields Shire’s Citizen of the Year during yesterday’s event in Maryborough in recognition of his ongoing commitment to the community.

A teacher in Maryborough for over 30 years, Tony was the organiser of the Climate Action Rally which attracted over 250 residents, has contributed significantly to the development of the Central Goldfields Climate Action Plan and was instrumental in obtaining solar panels for the Maryborough Community House. 

He also played a key role in Climate Conversation Month held in October and is leading the Goldfields Renewable Energy Group, while also being a driving force behind establishing the Maryborough Volunteer Resource Centre — an organisation which helps channel prospective volunteers across the shire to appropriate organisations. 

Accepting the award on Thursday, Tony dedicated the accolade to local volunteer and friend, the late Phil Hurse. 

“It’s a great honour to receive this award and I’d like to accept it on behalf of all our volunteers,” he said. 

“We have a fantastic army of volunteers in our community and I’d particularly like to dedicate this award to a volunteer we sadly lost recently, a very good friend of mine, Phil Hurse. 

“Phil did his formal volunteering with CFA and was president of school councils in Carisbrook and Maryborough. He was a remarkable person and who would just turn up and help.” 

Tony said volunteering is about building a better community and bringing meaning to individual’s lives. 

“There are two sides to volunteering, there’s the benefit to the community which we absolutely need but the other side of that is the personal benefit,” he said. 

“I know for me, I get that social connection and sense of meaning to your life that helps make the shire a better place to live in. 

“Through volunteering you pick up a heap of different skills, you meet the most amazing people that we have heaps of in this community and that’s something we don’t acknowledge enough.” 

The shire’s Young Citizen of the Year award was presented to Hannah Lanfranchi, who at the age of just 17 has already begun to leave her mark on the community. 

A student at Highview College, Hannah’s contribution to the community includes being part of the team at Priceline Maryborough and her involvement with Girl Guides spanning a decade, where she’s had a positive impact on her peers. Actively participating with local sporting clubs, Hannah’s involvement in the community also sees her volunteer with St Vinnies and St Augustine’s Primary School’s breakfast program. 

Hannah has received numerous academic, studentship and attendance awards at school, several scholarships, the GRACE Award, Peak Achievement Awards through Girl Guides and recognition of her service through organisations including Zonta and Rotary. 

Humbled by being named Young Citizen of the Year, Hannah said it was an award she never expected to receive. 

“It didn’t even cross my mind that I might receive this, it was someone who was involved with Guides who nominated me and it was a real surprise to get it,” she said. 

“When it comes to community you always get out more than you put in — you get to meet so many wonderful people and experience so many things you otherwise wouldn’t. 

“To anyone out there wondering if they should be more active in the community, I definitely recommend it because it’s so worth it.” 

It came as no surprise to residents yesterday that the Dunolly Gold Rush Festival received Community Award of the Year. 

Returning to Dunolly in October last year after a 16-year hiatus, the event was brought together by Dunolly District Inc (DDI) residents and local businesses. 

The core aim of the revived festival was to put smiles back on people’s faces, celebrate the town’s gold rush heritage and stimulate the economy, with the event attracting some 1500 people to Dunolly on the day. 

The event featured selfies in period costumes at the historic courthouse, exhibitions of historic engines, vintage cars and revival of gold rush era activities like gold panning, the popular ‘Hold the Gold’ endurance challenge, free music, and jumping castles. 

DDI president Rod Stuart extended the organising committee’s thanks to council and the community for their support of the event. 

“Our local Flynn Ward councillor Liesbeth Long really pushed us to get the event going again and supported us greatly,” he said. 

“I always want to thank our outgoing president Brian Phillips who put in a power of work to make the event the success it is and all of the committee for their efforts. 

“The community of Dunolly is great, it’s a great place to live in, work in and play in and the support for the event was great.”

During celebrations in Maryborough, babies born in 2022 received medallions while books were presented to four-year-old children starting kindergarten this year. 

Central Goldfields Shire mayor Grace La Vella congratulated the award recipients, and thanked them for their service to the community. 

“Congratulations to our Australia Day award winners and to all nominees, this is a great achievement,” she said.

“Thank you to all of our volunteers across the Central Goldfields Shire who give up their time and energy so generously.”