Australia Day 2025 Awards

Published on 22 January 2025

Residents across the Loddon Shire who have generously contributed countless hours of time and effort to their local communities, while providing help and support to others, have been recognised with 2025 Loddon Shire Australia Day awards.

Lifetime Pyramid Hill resident, Ian Bartels has been selected as the 2025 Loddon Shire Citizen of the Year, recognising volunteer efforts across a range of sporting clubs and recreation areas; the Caledonian Pipe Band; and Anglican Church, as well as being a member of the former Pyramid Hill Hospital Board.

Wedderburn resident, Tyson Blair has been selected as the 2025 Loddon Shire Young Citizen of the Year. This award recognises Tyson’s active involvement in his community, including making and distributing masks during the COVID Pandemic; filling and distributing sandbags during the 2024 floods, in addition to his musical theatre and sporting pursuits, and academic achievements.

The October 2023 Back to Bridgewater on Loddon event, celebrating the Memorial Hall Centenary has been selected as the 2025 Loddon Shire Community Group/Event of the Year. Two years in the making, this event included a broad range of activities including a historical display, Bridgewater Primary School 150th anniversary celebrations, tours of the Flour Mill, the Memorial Hall Centenary and a series of activities at the Recreation Reserve.

The dedication of local community members has also been recognised through the Ward Citizen of the Year awards.

Boort Ward Carmel Alison
Inglewood Ward Tim Ferguson
Tarnagulla Ward Veronica Palmer
Terrick Ward Geoff Thomas
Wedderburn Ward Jon Chandler

Loddon Shire Mayor Dan Straub congratulated all award recipients.

“Once again we’ve seen an inspirational group people and a community event recognised for their outstanding contributions to Loddon Shire,” Cr Straub said.

“On behalf of Council, I’d like to congratulate all Australia Day award recipients, including Ian on being awarded Loddon Shire Citizen of the Year and Tyson for being named Loddon Shire Young Citizen of the Year.

“I’d also like to thank everyone who took the time to submit nominations for these awards,” Cr Straub added.

“We are very lucky in Loddon to have so many residents and community groups going above and beyond for their local communities.”

Australia Day 2025 in Loddon Shire will see communities from across the region come together. Celebrations will take place at:

Boort – Sound Shell, Nolen’s Park, starting at 9.15am, followed by morning tea
Bridgewater on Loddon – Sloans Park, starting at 8.00am, followed by a BBQ breakfast
Dingee – Progress Park, starting with BBQ breakfast from 8.30am
Eddington – Community Centre, starting at 8.00am, followed by a BBQ breakfast
Inglewood – Swimming Pool, Inglewood Community Sports Centre, starting at 11.00am, followed by a BBQ and swimming carnival
Newbridge - Public Hall, starting at 11.15am, followed by a light luncheon
Pyramid Hill – Lions Park, Swimming Pool and Tennis facilities, starting at 4.00pm, followed by a BBQ and activities
Tarnagulla – Soldiers Memorial Park, starting at 5.00pm followed, by a BBQ
Wedderburn – Soldiers Memorial Park, starting at 10.00am, followed by a BBQ lunch

*Further information on Award recipients is provided below

Awardee Biographies

Loddon Shire Citizen of the Year – Ian Bartels

Never one to seek the limelight, Ian is a model citizen who thoroughly deserves recognition for his enormous contribution to his community.

Ian has lived his life in Pyramid Hill, and even after his official retirement as an electrician, he has continued to serve his community.

Ian has always gone about his day quietly, doing what he sees needs to be done or responding promptly to requests.

This has seen Ian volunteer his services and expertise in numerous ways over the years attending to various jobs. He never seeks thanks or gratitude, and often carries out these jobs at his own expense.

This includes fixing pumps and attending to electrical issues for local sporting groups, such as golf, bowls and Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park.

Some of Ian’s other voluntary contributions include mowing and watering the grounds of the former hospital and rest home, mowing lawns for older residents and ensuring water is available for wildlife at The Hill.

Ian was also behind keeping the Pyramid Hill store clock going and adjusting its time (until the store’s refurbishment). This required Ian to scale the vertical ladder, as well as sort out the electronics.

He is a long-standing member of St John’s Anglican Church, and until recent times, provided digitally-acquired music for the hymns.

Ian also painted the exterior of the Church Hall, and regularly cleans the outside toilets at the church, ensuring they are available for visitors as well as church goers.

His contribution to the area’s local infrastructure also saw Ian construct the sign at the Pyramid Hill Bowling Club, which he made from previously-used bowls.

Ian has been involved in numerous town events, helping set up the PA systems, as well as local sport – football, golf and bowls.

His past involvement in the community also includes being a member and Life Member of the Pyramid Hill Golf Club, an original member (piper) in the Caledonian Pipe Band and a member of the former Pyramid Hill Hospital Board.

All of this is just a snapshot of Ian’s contributions to his local community, which have been numerous.

Loddon Shire Young Citizen of the Year – Tyson Blair

Tyson is always willing to have a go at anything and do his best.

He has overcome many challenges and has grown into a caring, resilient young man with a lot of empathy for the community he lives in, and an evident understanding of the importance of being involved and volunteering in a small town.

A great example of this is when Tyson decided to learn how to sew masks in 2020 during the COVID Pandemic, when mask wearing became compulsory.

Aware that some people in the community may not have had enough money to buy masks at the time, Tyson completed a sewing lesson, and then made 60 masks, which he hand delivered to elderly people in Wedderburn, at no charge.

His community mask-making efforts saw Tyson nominated for the Fred Hollows Humanity Award – one of only 33 Victorian Grade 6 students to be nominated for that particular award.

Tyson’s care for his community was also at the forefront during the 2024 floods, where he volunteered by filling sandbags and helping distribute them to local households in need on numerous occasions.

Additionally, Tyson completed his Life Guard Certificate and began working at the Wedderburn Swimming Pool in 2024. He also joined the Wedderburn Fire Brigade and is currently completing his training.

Tyson also volunteered to attend Southern Cross Kids camp for a week in September 2024, attending as a Buddy to foster children aged from seven to 12 years. He is keen to continue attending this camp in years to come.

Tyson’s achievements extend to sport. He was the coach for Minkey and Under 12 Hockey for Wedderburn Hockey Club in 2024, and captain of the Underage Wedderburn Hockey Team.

Tyson has also been awarded Best and Fairest for the Wedderburn Underage Hockey Team and the Wedderburn Under 17 Football Team.

Furthermore, Tyson was Aged Champion for swimming in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024 and represented Wedderburn College at North Central Division for swimming and cross country in 2024.

He was 2024 Cross Country Champion in Year 10 and 2020 Wedderburn College Sports Captain for Jacka.

Musical theatre is also a part of Tyson’s talents, playing the lead role in the 2024 Wedderburn College Production We Will Rock You and a member of the Wedderburn Youth Drama Group from 2018 to 2019. Additionally, Tyson was part of the District Dance Studio from 2019 to 2021 performing AcroDance and musical theatre.

Tyson is also a high achiever academically, having received the Academic Excellence Award in Indonesian, as well as a Citizenship Award in 2020. He was also the recipient of the Personal Excellence Award in Music and Indonesian in 2022.

In 2023, Tyson received the Personal Excellence Award in Humanities, as well as the Citizenship Award.

He was also Student Representative Council Captain in 2021 and again in 2024.

Community Group/Event of the Year – Back to Bridgewater on Loddon

The “Back to Bridgewater on Loddon” event celebrated the Memorial Hall’s 100 years in 2023. The event featured historical displays, historical aeroplanes and waterski displays, local tours and an unveiling of recent hall renovations.

For over two years, dedicated volunteers, supported by local businesses, organised the event to showcase the talents and spirits of the Bridgewater community.

Boort Ward Citizen of the Year – Carmel Alison

Carmel has dedicated her entire life to supporting the Boort community, with her caring and generous nature bring support and joy to many residents.

Carmel has been involved with the local church for more than 50 years, including in executive roles, as a Minister for the Eucharist, and willing supporter and coordinator of functions.

Carmel has volunteered at Boort District Health since 2015 and is involved in “Meals on Wheels”, transporting patients to appointments and wherever else she is needed. Carmel is the highlight of many people’s days as she always finds time to chat and say a kind word when volunteering.

In recent years, Carmel has also engaged with different migrant groups in the area, immersing herself in their cultures, including those from Thailand, India and the Philippines. These connections have led to many meaningful friendships.

Carmel’s kindness and generosity are integral to Boort’s health and happy community.

Inglewood Ward Citizen of the Year – Tim Ferguson

Tim’s commitment to the Bridgewater community is evident by his 12 year tenure as Captain of the Bridgewater Fire Brigade as well as Group Officer of the Loddon South Group.

He was instrumental in clean-up efforts following the 2011 and 2022 floods, has assisted with response to numerous grass, scrub, hay shed and structural fires, and responded to many motor vehicles accidents.

On Christmas Eve each year, Tim drives the CFA truck so Santa can hand out lollies and icy poles to local children, an event that takes several hours, and is thoroughly enjoyed by young and old.

Beyond the CFA, Tim has, and continues to be a vital member of the Bridgewater community, actively supporting local events and sport, including collecting for the Good Friday Appeal and supporting local football having previously played, umpired and coached.

Tarnagulla Ward Citizen of the Year – Veronica Palmer

Veronica has been an important member of the Eddington community for decades. Her extensive volunteering includes leadership roles with local committees, coaching tennis, organising local events and founding the Eddington Community Garden. Known for her behind the scenes dedication, Veronica organises grants, events and maintenance that sustain the town.

In addition to her community efforts, Veronica has been an assistant kindergarten teacher at California Gully, Dunolly and Maldon and worked as a carer and cook for Goldfields Day Care Centre and Disability Inclusion at Noah’s Ark.

Her tireless efforts ensure that Eddington remains a vibrant and connected community.

Terrick Ward Citizen of the Year – Geoff Thomas

Geoff embodies community spirit, serving Dingee and Mitiamo through volunteer roles with the CFA, sporting clubs and local organisations. His efforts have included maintaining the Dingee Bush Nursing Centre and Uniting Church, lobbying for the Mitiamo pipeline and supporting numerous community projects.

Geoff volunteers countless hours maintaining the Bush Nursing Centre and its grounds, coordinating external service providers and organising any required repairs or maintenance for the Centre.

This award recognises Geoff for his exceptional contributions, which have positively impacted many lives and made a remarkable difference in his community.

Wedderburn Ward Citizen of the Year – Jon Chandler

Jon has made a mark on Wedderburn through his volunteerism and leadership and is a key figure in the Wedderburn Lions Club, local committees and sporting clubs.

Jon’s contributions include organising events, maintaining community facilities and being a founding member of the Wedderburn Theatre Group, Warts ‘n’ All.

Jon dedicates his time to helping the community and is always willing to assist those in need. Known for his reliability and inclusivity, Jon’s years of service have strengthened and enriched the Wedderburn community.