General News
29 January, 2024
Community celebrated in Dunolly
Jan was named Dunolly Citizen of the Year for her volunteering in numerous community groups such as the Dunolly Today and Tomorrow Committee, Dunolly Vehicle Club as well as newspaper The Welcome Record
An eager crowd gathered at Gordon Gardens in Dunolly to celebrate Australia Day and present the town’s citizens of the year, with Jan Brock and Grace Freemantle awarded.
The event had a free barbecue cooked by the Dunolly Fire Brigade, with the sausages, burgers, eggs and water being supplied by Woolworths Maryborough, long time resident Cynthia Lindsay as guest speaker, and music.
Gayle Boardman, who has helped organise the ceremony for four years, said the event is a great occasion for the community to enjoy each other’s company.
“The community comes together and has a calm social time in a friendly environment, with music and food provided as we celebrate Australia,” she said.
“I am quite pleased and quite proud of the event — I think it is important to acknowledge the day for the community.
“We are all citizens of Australia and I think that is what needs to be represented, a day that can bring us all together.”
Jan was named Dunolly Citizen of the Year for her volunteering in numerous community groups such as the Dunolly Today and Tomorrow Committee, Dunolly Vehicle Club as well as newspaper The Welcome Record.
She has also assisted in catering for local funerals and gatherings, much to the appreciation of the Dunolly community.
Jan said she was pleasantly amazed to be chosen for the prestigious award.
“I was totally surprised, there were so many nominations and I nominated heaps of people who deserved it so it was a total shock,” she said.
“[The family] have come from Melbourne and Ballarat and I wasn’t expecting them.
“It is an honour and it is nice to accept it on behalf of all the volunteers in town because our town runs on volunteers.
“Dunolly is a lovely place — I live in a nice old vicarage house and I have been here for 24 years now and that is my forever home.”
Grace was awarded the Young Citizen of the Year for her positive attitude and enthusiasm towards the multiple sports she plays in Dunolly, such as football, netball, cricket and martial arts as well as her support for local community events like Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.
“I wasn’t expecting to win it, but I am very happy and excited with it,” she said.
“I hope to support other girls in the community to participate in sport, especially in football — I was the only girl in my under 14’s team so to get some of my friends involved will be great.”
The Dunolly Country Market Committee won Dunolly’s Community Group of the Year for doubling the size of market day in the town and making the event a tourist attraction.
The committee also supports other community groups and events across the town, such as the Gold Rush Festival and the Dunolly Pool Party.