By BRIDGET COOK
THERE was a strong sense of community spirit in the air on Sunday as the 2014 Holt Australia Day Awards were presented.
A special ceremony was held at the Hampton Park ‘Day of Nations’ Australia Day event, where 45 people from across Casey were presented with awards.
Holt MP Anthony Byrne presented the awards to the group of worthy recipients for their ongoing contribution to the Casey community.
“Australia Day is a wonderful day when we can recognise those people who contribute to the community and make our community a better place,” he said.
“I congratulate all those receiving a Holt Australia Day Award for their exemplary community spirit and endless hours of volunteer work making our community a better and safer place to live.
“These people do not get the same accolades as other famous people but in their own quiet Australian way they do tremendous work in giving their precious time to make other people’s lives better.”
One of the people recognised included Joan Graham, who has provided a home for more than 300 children in her 40 years as a foster carer.
Also among the award recipients was Keith Pimblett, who was instrumental in the development of a Trade Training Centre at Hallam Secondary College to allow students to access to vocational education while still at school.
Another notable recipient was Marianne Dawes, who is a wildlife carer and rescuer, specialising in kangaroos by rescuing them and caring for their orphans.
The Holt Australia Day Awards recipients:
Alfred Goldburg
Father Elias Matta
Neville Worthington
Helen Appleman
Sean Balfour
Thomas Barnes
Keith Barrot
Calvin Bell
Roland Blaschak
Colin Booth
Rebekah Booth
Johnathan Clarke
Simon Dewar
Savio Gonsalvez
Steve Chapman
Marianne Dawes
Luke DeLutiis
Mehmet Salih Dogan
Keith Edwards
Bryce Eishold
Joan Graham
Joan Green
Mary Haigh
Rosemary Hutchins
Julie Johnstone
Mary Jonker
Mark Jouvelet
Sriyani La’Brooy
Peter O’Hagan
Christine Gladwell
Eileen Hillis
Louise MacDonald
Shaun Petrie
Keith Pimblett
Brian Regan
Sadiq Sarwari
Carolyn Scott
Colin Smith
Lima Stanikzai
Oliver Thomson
Sharon Thomson
Slobadan Todic
Shelly Peluso
Eda Vistac
Noorullah Noori (Posthumous Award)
Carols by Twilight – Casey City Church
Painting with Parkinsons
