Local people and organisations were recognised for their community service at breakfast ceremonies in towns across the Towong Shire on Australia Day.

At Corryong, Cr Peter Dikschei officiated and announced the winners of the Citizen of the Year, and Community Group of the Year as well as an award for Community Involvement.

The joint Citizens of the Year are former Corryong pharmacists, Catherine and Stewart Ross, who have had a long involvement in community affairs.

They were the owners of the Corryong Pharmacy from 1968 to 1995.

Being lovers of sport and through the involvement of their children, they threw themselves into tennis and golf, with Stewart taking on the presidency of the tennis club and both served on the respective golf club committees.

As their family grew, they helped organise sporting competitions including junior tennis, cricket and football.

Stewart’s passion for history has led to a long association with the Upper Murray Historical Society and the local museum, being secretary of both for an impressive 50 years.

“I’m deeply honourd to receive this award, Stewart said.

“I’m very proud of Corryong and do what I can to make it a great place to live.

“I reckon it is the centre of the earth and I tell everyone I meet that!”

Catherine’s main interests have been the Corryong High School Parents Club, the Uniting Church and the Corryong Bowls Club and she has held various committee positions at each organisation.

“I never expected such an honour as this,” she said.

“I fell in love with Corryong when I first came over the Wabba Gap in 1968 and I love our community.”

The Community Group of the Year award went to the supporters and committee members of the Corryong & District Memorial Hall and the RSL Hall.

They have worked tirelessly to update facilities at both halls to ensure social sport continues in the community and that special events have a suitable venue.

Major works over the past couple of years have included the installation of a theatre sound system, full programable stage lighting, updated green rooms, new sports equipment storage room, new commercial kitchen, refreshed public toilets and replacement of all tables and chairs.

Local cafè owner, Stuart Spratt, was presented with a Special Recognition award for helping to start a boxing group in the former squash courts in Corryong, bringing a new afterschool activity for children and adults.

Stuart is an active participant in the ‘March On for Soldier On’ campaign every year by walking from Wodonga to Corryong every March.

He also runs a monthly free veteran coffee catch up at Legends on Hanson cafè for local veterans around the area.

At the Walwa breakfast, Shirley Cheshire was announced as the Citizen of the Year. She was a member of Red Cross for 44 years until the Walwa unit closed and then joined the Corryong Branch and is still a member.

Shirley was secretary, treasurer of Walwa Guys Forest Golf Club until it was burnt down, moved to Red Bank on the Murray river and then continued on as a volunteer until she retired and is still a social member.

Shirley spent 49 years as a volunteer for the Jingellic Show in the pavilion as a steward for the flower section.

She was a member of the Walwa-Jingellic Lions Club for 16 years serving as either secretary or treasurer and was also involved in the Walwa Scout movement and was also on the Walwa School committee.

The Junior Citizen of the Year award was made to Walwa Primary School pupils for producing a very successful Art Show last year, showcasing the excellent quality of their work.

The Community Group of the Year is the Walwa-Jingellic Lions Club for its ‘Spring into Summer’ community event last November, which was supported by Bush Fire Recovery Victoria organised and run a Community event in November last year.

This was the first opportuniy the Walwa community had got together at a large social gathering since the 2019- 20 bushfires. 

See the full Australia Day coverage in the issue.

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 2 February 2023.