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    CONGRATULATIONS: Ararat Rural City 2021 Australia Day award winners celebrate their accolades. Pictured, from left, are resilience award recipients from Pinnacle Inc. Julie McDougall and chief executive Kathryn Clayton, citizen of the year Howard Hutchinson, mayor Jo Armstrong, young citizen of the year Zachary Nunan, Ararat council chief executive Tim Harrison and local business of the year representative, Willaura Bakery’s Peter Sporton.
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    AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS: Balbir and Gurwinder Kaur made an affirmation while becoming Australian citizens at yesterday’s ceremony.

Australia Day: Strength and empathy key in Ararat awards

Ararat Rural City mayor Jo Armstrong has congratulated residents who demonstrated ‘outstanding contributions to their community’ throughout the past year.

Cr Armstrong presented four Australia Day awards at a ceremony in Ararat yesterday.

Howard Hutchison won citizen of the year, with Zachary Nunan named young citizen of the year.

Cr Armstrong said this year’s award recipients had a wide range of achievements. 



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Mr Hutchison has been heavily involved in the Uniting Church of Australia, Ararat, and has led various committees, including one overseeing the annual church fete, which raises a significant amount of money for social welfare activities.

He also helped establish and continues to operate an emergency relief program for the rural city.

Cr Armstrong said Mr Hutchison was well known throughout the municipality for his empathetic nature and helping people in need, showing respect without judgement. 

“Young citizen of the year, Zac Nunan has opened his own business at just 18 years old. ‘Trading with Zac’ has become a place for our young locals to socialise, and an opportunity for Zac to support his peers through providing them employment,” she said. 

“Other recipients are already well-established staples of the community. 

“These community members and groups have made the most out of a difficult year, going to strenuous lengths to provide for the community, and help those who needed it.” 

Disability services provider Pinnacle Inc won a resilience award for its adaptation to continue providing for the community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘Contributing, reliable and welcoming’ Willaura Bakery collected a local business of the year gong for providing for and connecting community through trying times.

“The recipients chosen for the 2021 awards all have displayed strength and empathy through a very challenging year,” Cr Armstrong said.

“I would like to commend all those who were nominated for the awards and thank the people who took the time to nominate them. You have given council some very difficult decisions to make.” 

The municipality also welcomed two new Australian citizens yesterday, with Balbir and Gurwinder Kaur making the citizenship affirmation. 

Ararat chief executive Tim Harrison said although this year’s Australia Day ceremony had been affected by COVID-19 restrictions, he was pleased it was able to incorporate usual traditions.

“Thank you to the Lions Club of Ararat for the great breakfast barbecue again this year,” he said.

“Thank you also to the Ararat City Band, who were able to come together for the ceremony, sounding as great as ever, even though they have not been able to practise together for a large portion of the past year.

“Finally, a thank you to all who came to the Australia Day ceremony, whether it was at Alexandra Community Centre, Lake Bolac Complex or Moyston Hall. 

“It is great to celebrate being Australian with such an inclusive and welcoming community.”

 

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The entire January 27, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire January 27, 2021 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!