Mayor column: with Cr John Harvie
Published on 30 January 2025
I hope you all had a nice and relaxed Australia Day!
Together with Murray River Council’s Australia Day Ambassador, Gwenda Darling, I attended celebrations in Moulamein where we had the pleasure of presenting awards and sharing a delicious aussie breakfast, provided by local RFS members, with the Moulamein community.
Our ambassador, Gwenda, comes from Finley and is a member of the Aged Care Council of Elders which provides advice to the government about aged care and ageing well. Gwenda has had a varied career, with more than 50 years’ experience in government and non-government organisations. Gwenda is a Palawa woman and proudly served the First Nations communities in which she has lived and worked.
Gwenda’s roles have included Chief Executive Officer of Anaiwan Aboriginal Land Council, Chairperson of Gandangarra Local Aboriginal Land Council and Director of Hunter Aboriginal Children’s Services. Her personal and professional experience ignited a passion for justice for Elders within the aged care system. Gwenda gave an uplifting talk that was enjoyed by those in attendance.
Moulamein punched above its weight in this year’s awards with three awards presented on the day; MRC Citizen of the Year was awarded to Alan Fielding for outstanding service to the Moulamein community; Sportsperson of the year award went to Heath Moloney for his incredible contribution, achievements and prowess in local football; and the Moulamein Automotive Club was awarded the Community Group of the Year for their passion and inclusiveness and for hosting the 2024 Moulamein Show and Shine.
Other awardees were;
Our Young Citizen of the Year, Katelyn Eddy, from Mathoura;
Connor Wilson, our Young Sportsperson of the Year from Mathoura; Echuca Moama Theatre Group received the Arts and Culture Award; and Run Echuca Moama was awarded Community Event of the Year.
Congratulations to all awardees and to everyone that was nominated for an award and to the hard-working volunteers who make our Australia Day events so successful. Thank you also to my fellow councillors who attended our other community Australia Day events across the region.
On another note, applications for the vacant position of Chief Executive Officer have closed and applications have been reviewed. The original shortlist has been cut further, and the committee will interview the successful candidates in the next week or so. The best two candidates will be asked to address the full council who will then select the successful candidate. An announcement should be posssible by the end of February.