WORTHY: Yarriambiack Shire mayor Graeme Massey congratulates citizen of the year Michael Woods.
Lachie Stewart.
Australia Day: Community-first focus in Yarriambiack
27 January 2021
Rupanyup’s Michael Woods and Warracknabeal’s Lachie Stewart won recognition for their achievements and contributions to the community at Yarriambiack Shire Australia Day ceremonies yesterday.
Mr Woods, citizen of the year, has been an active member of Rupanyup’s historical society, consultative committee, Men’s Shed and agricultural and pastoral society as well as Dunmunkle Sump Oilers and Wheatlands Agricultural Machinery Museum.
Mayor Graeme Massey said Mr Woods had been instrumental in preserving local history as owner-curator of Woods’ Farming and Heritage Museum at Rupanyup.
Mr Woods, along with his late brother John, built the museum up to the ‘nationally significant collection’ it has been for nearly 40 years.
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The museum is an iconic tourist attraction bringing hundreds of visitors to Rupanyup each year.
“Mr Woods is a very deserving award winner,” Cr Massey said.
“With a lifetime of volunteering across many community groups, Mr Woods is a quiet achiever. His time, vision, expertise and financial investment to the Woods museum is insurmountable.
“The Woods museum has significantly contributed to the local tourism industry and is an important legacy for the Rup-
anyup community and the wider region.”
Cr Massey said young citizen of the year, Lachie Stewart, was a natural-born leader with a keen desire to give back to his community.
Lachie dedicates his time to helping others and has volunteered for the Active After School Communities Program and coached juniors in basketball, tennis and golf.
Lachie Stewart.
As a footballer, Lachie won a spot in the Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy program and played in the 2017 V-Line Cup.
He was voted captain by his peers and coach in both under-14 and under-17 competitions.
His school achievements include being nominated as school captain at Warracknabeal Secondary College in years six, 11 and 12.
Lachie participated in year-nine advanced leadership and summit leadership camps, as well as RDA and JUMP programs, providing horse-riding and basketball experience to special development school students.
Lachie has been awarded honour certificates for studies, the senior school sport award and School Sportsman of the Year.
He completed year 12 in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and after university wants to come back to the region with a degree and give back to the community he is proud to call home.
“Lachie is an impressive young person who has achieved so much in his 18 years,” Cr Massey said.
“A dedicated volunteer, Lachie has taken every opportunity to gain new skills and experience that will help him succeed in both his professional and personal pursuits.”
