Over the last year or two, Colleen has put in many many hours to overhaul several important areas of documentation – including policies & procedures, a task that has been in the too-hard-basket for quite a number of years. The result is that Winch House has caught up on all sorts of bureaucratic requirements plus has a set of policies that can now be regularly and properly reviewed by Committee on a rolling basis to ensure they stay up-to-date. The effort Colleen has made, and the impact it has had on a back-of-house, invisible but essential aspect of running a community centre, cannot be overstated. It’s a magnificent achievement that is hard to appreciate by anyone that hasn’t been involved with public-facing policy stuff.
She has at the same time undertaken similar documentation reviews and updates for the Occasional Childcare service operated by Winch House. Again, stuff that would bore normal people to tears (eg. the emergency manual) but Colleen has sorted it all out. Massively appreciated by the Committee and the Manager.

Don is one of those volunteers that is the backbone of the Winchelsea community, and pops up over and over again. From driving a community bus, to dishing out snags at the Lions sausage sizzle, to mentoring volunteer firefighters, to helping organise the weekly parkrun events, and many more, Don is there. I’d really like to see him profiled both for community recognition of his selflessness but also as an inspiration to others. A genuinely nice bloke who won’t want the limelight but exemplifies the spirit of generosity, service and community pride.

Outstanding service to Feed me. An extremely valuable and indispensable tireless worker.

Rhani has been in this role for rhe last 12 months and has completely transformed our local shire hall. Introducing programs, opening the doors for opportunities for connection in our small town.
She has worked tirelessly bring an active contribution many local committees and initiatives.
She is rhe epitome of community and creates space for many to engage with the hall.
She is passionate about providing a future for the next generation in Winchelsea.

Aly has been with Feed Me for many years. She is a tireless worker. She is there before any of us arrive and is there when the last of us leave. She never seems to tire and guides us all with patience.
She is incredibly talented and artistic. Her food creations for the Feed Me catering dept is beyond anything I have seen before.
I think she would be a wonderful recipient of recognition.

Neil volunteers for a lot and in reality keeps a lot of services running in Winchelsea. 

Jo (Joanna Halley) founded the ocean swimming/wading group I belong to (Wednesday Ocean Waders) in May 2021. I successfully nominated Jo for a Surfcoast Local Legend award last year. She has appeared twice on local radio, and also featured in an ABC Victoria clip last January, as well as being mentioned in the current monthly edition of “That’s Life”. Both articles are about the importance of social inclusion, with a focus on me, Alan and our family after my older daughter died very suddenly and unexpectedly last September.

Graeme has been active on the Surf Coast for many years. He’s passionae about environmental protection and care. As an indigenous nursery owner and bush regenerator, he has the knowledge and the wit to see issues and to initiate programs for change. Over the years I have seen Graeme’s involvement with the Surf Coast Energy Group, including as president, with Save Spring Creek and it’s creek renewal project, Jan Juc Coastcare group and Surf Coast Air Action. There have been others over the years. Graeme is a doer and is an inspiration to everyone around him. He’s humble and thoughtful. He takes the time to speak with Shire councillors and other decision makers to be a change maker of deeper long-term projects.
I’d highly recommend him as one of those heroes who doesn’t seek publicity, but is one of the powerful people who are the glue and the inspiration of our community.

For nearly 20 years, Peter Marshall has quietly documented the life of the Surf Coast community. Through his freelance role as casual photographer, week after week, he photographs local sporting events and community activities, uploading thousands of photos to his website, all freely available for anyone to download. His dedication has created an invaluable record of our recent history and a priceless archive for generations to come.
Peter is also an extraordinary volunteer for All Aboard disABILITY Support Services, generously giving thousands of hours—and significant personal funds—to support adults with disability in our community. Remarkably, he even returned to study to earn his Certificate IV in Disability, enabling him to volunteer as a support worker and provide hands-on care and assistance to our participants.
Each year, Peter also handcrafts unique, bespoke trophies for our participants to celebrate their achievements, pouring days of work and thousands of dollars of his own money into making every piece special.
Peter’s tireless dedication, humility, and generosity embody the true spirit of a local hero. He enriches our community with his talents, compassion, and unwavering commitment to inclusion and connection.

Contributed the most number of patrol and water safety hours out of the entire club by a large margin.
Gained training qualifications in order to train other members from the club and community in lifesaving – multiplying his impact
Restarted the IRB racing team and participates in water safety driving IRBs and Jetskis at carnivals for the club but also directly for LSV.
Took on the director of lifesaving role at the club.
Is one of the few members of the club that is registered as a 24/7 emergency responder.
Committed to ensuring more young people get involved in all aspects of lifesaving.

Has volunteered his time and expertise for over 30 years at Torquay Silat Club and trained hundreds of people over that period and been more than a coach to many, by example, direction, empathy and guidance. Has never been paid. Has organised Bali training trips, local training camps and keeps all records.
Also organises a swim group for past 8 years.
A true hero of Torquay who has never sought recognition but has shaped and positively impacted on our youth and seniors. Truly worthy of recognition.

He has run this group for over 30 years free of charge . Bali training trips . Local training camps . Venue organiser. Collects fees and keeps all the records of every event and past and present member etc etc.

Puts in a huge amount of time and also works as a Paramedic.

I have known Conn over many years through the Torquay Golf Club. Apart from golf Conn is a volunteer at the Torquay Football Club. Conn is involved in numerous tasks at the footy including cooking for all the players on training nights. Conn is generally the person everyone goes to at the club for everything footy related.
Conn does a wonderful job and you can tell he loves what he does.
Conn is a great ambassador for the club and he deserves this recognition.

Carl has been involved with environmental initiatives in Anglesea for many years. He has been a member of Angair since 1994. In 1995 Carl joined the Anglesea Coast Action (ACA), serving as Secretary from 1997 -2012. He has played an instrumental part in many restoration and rehabilitation projects near Roadnight Bridge, the Surf Club and Main beach and was involved in the establishment of the walking rack near the Anglesea look out.
Carl has a passion for the local endemic flora and has tirelessly worked on removing woody weeds and reestablishing habitats on the Anglesea and Point Roadnight foreshores. Carl has also organised weed removal working bees in the reserves and Forests surrounding Anglesea, working with authorities to develop weed control methods.
He has lobbied land managers to put more resources towards vegetation and habitat protection.
He has been a regular contributor to many Angair Activities, leading educational walks and helping with the development of educational brochures.
He served on the Angair committee from 2006 to 2014. In 2015 Carl was awarded an Honorary Life member of Angair in recognition of his commitment to environmental care, particularly his leadership in the control of environmental weeds and the establishment and preservation of indigenous flora in the Anglesea and Airey’s Inlet area.
Despite Ill health Carl continues to be involved in Angair’s weeding activities. He has heroic status within the Angair community as he soldiers on weekly with the weeding group with an oxygen cylinder strapped to his back.

Christine and Peter Forster have made an extraordinary contribution to Angair.
Christine, as a committee of management member provided wise counsel for many years and was instrumental in its policy development and strategic planning, and her knowledge of environmental history and understanding of complex water policy issues were vital for the committee’s informed discussions. Peter was recognised for his tireless and energetic commitment, having served in so many roles, including president, treasurer, minute taker, regular weeder and all-round practical problem solver. Christine and Peter have mentored so many people, and their work has been incredibly significant.
After Moving to Anglesea in 2012, Peter and Christine have been major contributors to the Anglesea community.
Peter has a passion for the environment, and received a national award for his work in restoration of degraded farmland in before arriving in Anglesea.
Peter has been secretary of Angair for 6 years and has been a driving force in the success of this organisation, liaising with and contributing to bodies such as Surf Coast Shire, Alcoa mine redevelopment and Anglesea River protection group. Peter has also been a major contributor to the success of the Annual Angair Wildflower show and a regular participant in working bees to remove invasive woody weeds. Peter has also been an active member of the Anglesea CFA.
Christine has also been a major contributor to Angair and the local community. Formerly Chair, Barwon Ministerial Advisory Committee and advisor to government. Christines knowledge has provided significant input to local water use issues. An Angair committee member for many years, Christine has helped with organisation of activities and advice to the committee.
They have provided advice regarding all matters relating to waterways, including the Alcoa mine void and the Anglesea River and the Corangamite Regional Waterway Strategy. They have both been representatives on various community organisations including:
Anglesea River Advisory committee.
Alcoa Community Consultative Network: Peter and Christine Forster
Anglesea Heath: Peter Forster
Anglesea River Working Group: Christine Forster
Anglesea Community Network: Christine Forster
Anglesea Community Action Group: Christine and Peter Forster
Peter and Christine are both Angair Honorary Life members.
Peter’s citation noted his indefatigable contribution to Angair’s activities. He has been president, official (and unofficial) secretary, treasurer, a regular weeder, minute taker, odd-job man and all-round practical problem solver.
As a Committee of Management member, Christine provided wise counsel for many years. She has been a driver of Angair’s policy formulation and strategic planning and her memory of environmental history and understanding of complex water policy issues were vital to the committee’s informed discussions.

Bill McKellar OAM owned a holiday house in Anglesea during the 1950s but it was until 1997 that he and wife Jenny moved to their new house near Pt Addis. For more than twenty years Bill has contributed to the local community as a member and former president of Angair. Bill has a passion for the environment, starting the Angair propagation unit in 2003, dedicated to promoting the use of endemic plants. Bill has always been involved with Anglesea Primary School, organising the establishment of a large garden of native plants when the school moved to its new site and regularly being involved in education programs.
A tireless worker, Bill has helped organize many activities in the community such as the Annual Angair Flower Show and has been a regular participant in working bees to remove invasive woody weeds. Bill has helped publish several informative books and pamphlets promoting the flora and fauna of the area.
As a member of the Anglesea golf club, Bill urged the club to remove environmental weeds from the peripheral sections of the property and was pleased to see the club initiate an environmental care program. In 2016 Bill was awarded Honorary Life Membership of Angair in recognition of his enthusiastic commitment to caring for the Anglesea and Aurey’s Inlet natural environment and in particular for his leadership and hard work in the establishment and development of the propagation work. The same year he was named the Rotary Club of Kardinia’s Volunteer of the Year for his work for Angair.

Goes out of her way to be helpful, coordinates food, toiletry etc donations for homeless etc in Surfcoast and Geelong via Grovedale Uniting. Always cheerful and friendly, despite the fairly recent loss of a beloved grandson in a tragic car accident. Often seen walking with group of walkers round Anglesea.

Alanee has been the lead pastor of St Cuthbert’s church in Lorne for 2.5 years now, bringing the church back to life from near extinction. Her life’s work has largely been dedicated towards youth, missions to Africa and raising foster children. Now she finds herself leading a small congregation of elderly folk and a few young adults in this beautiful surf coast town, working closely with youth mission groups like Red Frogs and Scripture Union who use our church for their programs and events over summer and Easter.
Alanee is also now the full time carer and hopefully soon adoptive parent of a young foster girl with special needs and also volunteers with the local Lorne school, putting on a free pancake breakfast once a week, building bridges with parents, teachers and students.
Overall Alanee’s dedication to building community and serving the young people of the surf coast is outstanding and needs public recognition. Thanks for all you do Alanee!

A very caring, selfless person (previously has received an OAM for community service).

Kalynda is a quiet hero in our community, creating sacred and supportive spaces for women at every stage of their motherhood journey. From conception through to postpartum.
Each Thursday, she hosts mothers’ gatherings, and the occasional full moon swims and connection circles. These are more than just meet ups, they are lifelines for women navigating one of life’s most vulnerable seasons.
Having her own fertility struggles, a birth that went off plan and a challenging breastfeeding journey, Kalynda openly shares her story with honesty and courage. Her willingness to speak about the harder parts of motherhood helps other women feel seen, heard, and far less alone.
What makes Kalynda even more remarkable is her ability to show up with joy for others even when their experiences differ from her own. She celebrates every pregnancy, every birth, and every triumph in motherhood with genuine warmth and love.
In a time when many women feel isolated, Kalynda brings connection, compassion, and community. She is a true local hero, offering not just support, but a sense of belonging.

She’s awesome! Always putting the community first.

Corrina has worked tirelessly for the past 20 years since I met her to ensure the community recognise the Traditional custodians of these lands in which we live. she is passionate and kind and creates incredible opportunities for schools and the community alike to learn and understand Wadawurrung language and story. It is a very tricky place to work within knowing that some people find it hard to acknowledge the Traditional Owners due to their own lack of connection. Corrina enables change slowly and with a pure heart.

Keri is one of the most incredible human beings I have ever met. She has a real love and thirst for life, for family and for community. She volunteers at Feed Me Surf Coast, and is a regular with the Wednesday Ocean Waders swim group. She is caring, honest and would give anyone the shirt off her back. Keri tragically lost her daughter, aged 48 last year, and she still continues to push on and face each day with a huge smile and an infectious energy and zest for life. She is courageous and kind, always willing to give something a go, from ocean swimming as a non swimmer, and sky diving at age 70. She is honestly such a beautiful, incredible woman.

For me, it’s never just been about counting volunteer hours. It’s about showing up with honesty, working hard, and living out the values that the charity stands for. It’s about helping create a space where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued. And above all, it’s about treating every person who walks through that door for food with the kindness and empathy they deserve.
That’s why my vote goes to Liz as she embodies the kind of goodness that comes from genuine care, integrity, and a commitment to lifting others up and helping the community.

Consistently managed the rescue roster for about 2 years.

Larissa is a ray of sunshine and dedicates her life here to the service of others. she is warm and kind and loving to everyone. she is full of hugs and encouragement and kind words. Larissa’s life before coming to Australia was hard, she faced situations that most of us are blessed to not have to ever even consider. Yet she radiates love. She gives the best hugs and I’m grateful every day that Larissa is here, safe and part of my community.

I first met Pete during lockdowns when he was part of the wellbeing team at SCSC. My kids were struggling with disconnection and not going to school. Pete’s remained with us since then, often outside of his official capacity. Checking in on me and being my #1 hype person. In recent years Pete started volunteering at Feed Me and it’s been wonderful to work together there. He’s a big hearted and gentle guy who bloody knows everyone and will find someone to get the job done. He’s also been a big part of Torquay football club, coaching and mentoring for many many years. He’s loved by many kids, young and old, for the time and love hes shown them. Just last week, in his own time, he took my eldest and myself to visit a new school in Geelong. He spent the morning introducing us and making us feel like part of the community there. He then raced back to Feed Me to continue helping with the relocation. I can’t begin to imagine the families who’s hearts he’s touched over the years. ❤️

Aleisja is a passionate advocate for our environment and all the creatures that exist within it. She’s an active greens community member and ran for our last local elections. She attends and participates in many community platforms addressing issues that effect our local environment and the animals and people that live within it. Aleisja has been volunteering with local Surf Coast Enviroment Group for several years, not just in an advocacy role but also getting her hands dirty at working bee’s. Aleisja is also a long time member and volunteer for the Surfrider Foundation Surf Coast Branch. Aleisja is also a yogi and runs community yoga and meditation sessions at The Esplanade – Sublime Health Club where community members only pay by donation, and there is no pressure if you cant afford a donation. Aleisja has facilitated a hiking group called Surfcoast & Otway Ranges Hiking Group for several years, its a completely free group and attendees get to join Aleisja on guided hikes along the Surfcoast and in the Otways where she grew up. And if you didn’t think she could possibly fit any more in (she does have a full time job in Enviro Science as well), she also rescues animals and has a menagerie of rescue horses, chickens, roosters and many other domesticated animals that find themselves with no where else to go. Aleisja is a power house of a woman, with endless energy and love, making a lasting impact in our community and the planet.

Hugh is 70ys old and turns out to almost every incident we’re called out to, no matter what time of the day it is. Further to this, he is extremely passionate about training our new & old recruits. He is there at every meeting and every volunteer event. Without Hugh in the Aireys Inlet CFA, we would be lost. He keeps our town safe.

Margaret is an environmental champion of the Surf Coast. She has played a leadership role in both Friends of Eastern Otways NP (FEO) and Angair over the last 35 years, a prolific contributor to local publications on the flora and fauna of the region (with particular expertise in our indigenous orchids) as well as environmental brochures and bush walking books. At over 80 years of age Marg shows no signs of slowing down, she still leads the FEO Environmental Weeding Program, contributing to new environmental publications, conducting orchid surveys as well as an active volunteer for Birdlife Australia’s Hooded Plover Watch program. She is the go to person in the region for questions on local fauna.

Rod’s contribution to Angair and the Friends of Eastern Otways NP public face via their web pages cannot be understated. He has been volunteering his services for over a decade and his significant contributions have been recognized by an Angair Life Membership. His other significant contribution is his role as convenor of the Painkalac Valley Network – a coalition of community groups that advocate for the Painkalac estuary and its valley environs.

Jacqui is a guiding light in Rubbish Ranging. It all began here in Aireys Inlet 5 years ago and she has continued to support and represent us within and beyond the community.

Jo has been involved in a broad range of environmental actions which are inclusive and inspiring. The Grow Free stand is one of many ways she encourages and is involved in sharing her skill, knowledge and garden produce.

Contribution to establishing AIRAR (Aireys Inlet Rural Australians for Refugees), building community interest, membership and facilitating an extensive range of activities to build community awareness, raise money to support refugees including from Australia, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Palestine, etc.
This includes advocacy including petitions and letters to government, meetings with local politicians and election candidates, local protests and media reports.
AIRAR has a stall at the local market to share information about the work of AIRAR and the plight of refugees and asylum seekers.
Over the years Mary has taken a leadership role in organising many AIRAR events such as dinners, concerts, film showings, choir performances, meetings with election candidates, book launches, etc.
AIRAR makes regular monthly donations to the Welcome Place food bank in Geelong and to supporting asylum seekers in Afghanistan who are at risk from the Taliban.
Through AIRAR and the Uniting Church, Mary has been involved in the support of 2 refugee families who have been granted asylum and made their homes in Aireys. The families are from Burundi and Venezuela.
Mary worked with a small group of local residents to establish AIRAR, has liaised with RAR the national body, as well as other local RAR groups, to build and support a community group that is respected for its endeavours at a local and national level.

Danni is a busy mother of two little girls one of which is special needs and has had an incredibly journey from womb into the world. Amidst adjusting to life with two children she took over the Winchelsea Playgroup and breathed new life into it. The Winchelsea playgroup is an invaluable asset to parents with young children in our town. Danni has an impressive background in early childhood education and works hard to provide themed playgroup sessions once a fortnight, bringing families together to learn, grow and socialize.
Danni was also responsible for the creation of a special NICU playgroup in Geelong which gives parents and caregivers of children born with complications or special needs the same opportunity to connect.

Barb runs the only Wildlife Shelter in our immediate area. In a semi-rural farming town there hasn’t historically been many people who advocate and care for our wildlife. Barb is responsible for taking in, rehabilitating and releasing hundreds of orphaned and injured animals both locally and from across Victoria. She works hard to educate our community on caring for our wildlife and spends many unpaid hours rescuing, feeding and tending to possums, Tawny frog mouths, ducks and ducklings, Lorikeets, Magpies and so many more. Yes.