General News
28 January, 2025
Celebrating the local heroes in Dunolly
Locals gathered at Gordon Gardens in Dunolly to celebrate Australia Day and present the town’s citizen of the year awards.
The event had a free barbecue cooked by the Dunolly Fire Brigade, with food and drinks supplied by Maryborough Woolworths, resident Angela Ang as guest speaker and live music performed throughout the day.
Suzy Anderson organised this year’s event, she said it’s an important occasion for all Dunolly locals to gather together.
“It’s good to celebrate the interactiveness of all of our local people, there are people here being awarded today, recognised from their personal interactions to their service to the community, today we will be honouring them,” she said.
A posthumous Dunolly Citizen of the Year was awarded to Mike Hiley for over 20 years of volunteering in local community organisations such as the Dunolly Neighbourhood Centre, The Welcome Record and founding the Golden Triangle Archers.
His award was presented to his wife Sharon Hiley, who said he always loved doing what he did.
“He had been working at the Neighbourhood Centre since 2001, he taught workshops out of his own shed and people would come home with what they made, he also encouraged a lot of women to get into woodwork,” she said.
“I was overwhelmed, but he loved doing what he did. He would have been humbled and surprised by this award but I think he deserved it.”
Dean Liddicoat was awarded Dunolly Young Citizen of the Year for his role in representing the Laanecoorie Dunolly Cricket Club, and his involvement at local Anzac Day services.
Dean was very thankful that he was nominated for the award.
“It feels like I’ve been known by so many people, I feel really proud,” he said.
“I think it’s fun, that’s why I like to be with all of my clubs.”
The Goldfields Music Club was awarded Dunolly’s Community Group of the Year following the success of last year’s street festival Vibes On Broadway, an event that showcased various local musicians and community groups that was enjoyed by locals and visitors.
Goldfields Music Club member Kez Youngblood said she hopes Dunolly can continue to enjoy the festival in the future.
“Everybody has a passion and we are all here as part of music and to encourage people to be able to express themselves at all levels. It has become a family to a lot of people, and we want to keep that continuing. It has certainly been a way of showcasing Dunolly, and we can hope this grows even bigger for the community,” she said.