Australia Day Holt honours – Air league’s David Boyde and Australia Day Holt Award recipient Benjamin Hofmann 59239 Picture: Donna Oates

By Lia Bichel
THERE were 40 deserving Holt Australia Day recipients in two separate celebrations on Australia Day.
Holt MP Anthony Byrne honoured 35 outstanding individuals and five local organisations for their contribution to their community at the Day of Nations celebrations in Hampton Park and the Actively Diverse celebrations in Doveton.
“Australia Day provides a special opportunity to recognise our unsung heroes, many of whom have made substantial contributions to our community, often in an understated way,” Mr Byrne said. “I congratulate all those receiving a Holt Day Australia Award for their exemplary community spirit, generous contributions and endless hours of volunteer work in making our community a better and safer place to live.”
Among the recipients were Barbara Maggs and Anthony Jenner, who have organised the Cranbourne Ulysses Motorcycle Club Toy run for 26 years and Doveton resident Bob Coldwell, who has volunteered at the Dandenong Basketball Association for 30 years. The 69-year-old said sport has been a huge part of his life.
“When I met my wife Robet when I was 16, we both loved sports. We had four children and followed them to every game they played,” he said.
“I now have eight grandchildren and watch six of them play every week.”
Mr Coldwell’s wife passed away four years ago and he recently retired from being a team manager for basketball, so he said he would be spending a lot of time with his children and grandchildren to fill his time.