Australia Day 2022 - awards
Published on 27 January 2022
Australia Day 2022 in Loddon Shire saw community members celebrate our nation’s place in the world – a proud, ancient, multicultural nation built on shared values that allow us to enjoy the freedoms and opportunities that other nations aspire to.
The day also saw award ceremonies held across Loddon Shire. These award ceremonies were an opportunity to recognise what it means to be Australian, acknowledge our rich history and celebrate the selfless contributions of local volunteers.
Additionally, it was an opportunity to reflect on the resilience of Loddon Shire communities and their spirit of helping and giving that defines the Australian way. This includes respecting the stories, histories and contributions of all Australians, especially frontline workers and those who sacrificed so much over the past year, business owners, students – plus the parents who’ve juggled home schooling, work and life in general.
Loddon Shire Australia Day 2022 Awardees
Citizen of the Year: Michael Rose (Inglewood)
Young Citizen of the Year: Bridget Baker (Terrick)
Community Service Awards (by Ward):
- Boort: Jaqui Verley
- Inglewood: Joan Bradley
- Terrick: Helen O’Donohue
- Tarnagulla: No nominations received
- Wedderburn: Alan Mulraney
Community Event of the Year: Pyramid Hill Football Netball Club (Community Practice Match Series)
Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year – Awardee Biographies
Citizen of the Year: Michael Rose (Inglewood)
Michael has given 50 years’ service to the Kingower Cricket Club and 40 years’ service to the Upper Loddon Cricket Association.
He began playing at Kingower in 1971 at the age of 16 when his family moved to Inglewood from Dingley, and played until 2009. During those 35 years, Michael did not miss a game of cricket – not even the birth of his second child could keep him away.
Michael took up the coaching role of the Kingower junior team in 1991 and continues to this day. During this time, he has coached his four children and currently coaches three of his grandchildren.
Michael is passionate about the game of cricket and growing players to eventually step up in to the senior team. He has always been a strong advocate for female participation in cricket, encouraging girls to play in the juniors. This has reflected strongly in the Kingower Club where there has always been at least one female player in the junior team since re-forming in 1987.
In addition to coaching, Michael umpires junior games (following on from his many years umpiring for seniors), and has taken up the scoring role for the senior team. He tirelessly keeps the ground in tiptop shape and is currently the Treasurer of the Club, a role he's held for over 10 years. Michael was awarded Life Membership of the Club in 1995.
Michael has also given 40 years’ service to the Upper Loddon Cricket Association (ULCA). Holding the roles of Senior Vice President from 1982 to 1984, President from 1985 to 1989, and Secretary from 1990 to the present day.
Michael has also taken on the Junior Development role with ULCA to ensure junior players in the league are provided an opportunity to play against other leagues and gain experience. Michael was made Life Member of the Upper Loddon Cricket Association in 2010.
Michael also became involved with the Inglewood Football Netball Club when his eldest daughter began playing junior netball in the early 1990s. He has had two sons play football and a second daughter play netball with Inglewood.
Additionally, Michael took up writing the Inglewood netball game day reports for the El-Vee and offered his services as a boundary umpire for the junior football up until recent years. More recently, he has taken the role of the football scoreboard attendant at home games sitting in the scoreboard for the junior, reserves and senior games.
Young Citizen of the Year: Bridget Baker (Terrick)
Bridget is an asset to her community, and has an extensive and impressive number of leadership and/or volunteer roles within school and the broader community. Bridget’s involvement in volunteering has been inspired by her parents giving nature, however, she has really stood up to lead and contribute in her own right.
Bridget has been a strong supporter, player and member of the Calivil Football Netball Club for over 10 years and has assisted in volunteer roles such as netball scoring, junior netball umpiring and canteen helper. In 2019, Bridget was awarded the Eaglehawk Football Netball Club Best & Fairest in the 17/U development squad and the Runner Up Best & Fairest in the Calivil 17/U team. Bridget also received Best in Finals that season for Calivil.
In 2021, Bridget was elected to the Social Committee. As part of the Social Committee, Bridget was required to help organise several social and fundraising functions from the annual Club Ball to auctions. Bridget and the Social Committee also had to ensure events were family friendly, followed COVIDSafe practices as well as Goods Sports Club guidelines.
Bridget has assisted her family with preparing Kids Friday Club (East Loddon Community House) packages for families in need during the last 18 months plus since COVID-19.
Bridget and her family also hosted two Turkish exchange students in 2013 and 2016 for 14 days. This involved opening their family home to students from Turkey, who had limited English speaking skills, and sharing their day-to-day life.
At East Loddon P-12 College, Bridget was 2021 College Captain and was elected to the leadership position by students from the Senior Sub-School (Years 9-12). In addition, Bridget played an integral part in helping to shape the culture of senior school students in building positive rapport with staff. Bridget's actions helped develop strong and productive working relationships between staff and students.
In recent years, Bridget has been the recipient of prestigious awards at the annual college Presentation Awards ceremony and in 2020 was awarded the La Trobe Year 11 Infinity Award.
Bridget established successful study habits that will enabled her to achieve great success in her VCE studies, but also with her future tertiary studies and life in general. Bridget is very capable; and can and will succeed in the more independent tertiary setting.
Bridget was planning to study a Double Degree of Para-medicine and Nursing or Neonatal Nursing/Midwifery.