Legendary volunteers at the heartbeat of Surf Coast Shire community
Published on 14 May 2025
Surf Coast Shire Council will herald dozens of newly named Local Legends at the heart of celebrations for National Volunteer Week.
Record nominations for this year’s Local Legends program have helped magnify the breadth of volunteer contributions across the shire, with organisations and individuals eager to recognise unsung heroes in their midst.
National Volunteer Week runs from 19 to 25 May.
Council is supporting several community-based celebrations across the shire:
- Aireys Inlet Community Celebration, 18 May, including a tour of the community garden at 11am followed by a gathering at the town’s community centre from 11.30am.
- Lorne Bowls Club morning tea, 20 May with barefoot bowls at 10am and morning tea at 11am.
- Local Legends presentation and volunteer celebration, 22 May from 10am in Council’s chambers, Torquay.
- Winchelsea Chatty Café gathering, 23 May, 10.30am at Winchelsea Shire Hall.
Mayor Mike Bodsworth will lead tributes and presentations of Local Legend awards to 15 individual and four group recipients during the celebration in Council’s chambers.
The 2025 Surf Coast Local Legends are:
Community Commitment Award
Jason Cichocki, wildlife rescuer
Phoebe Mitchell, community house volunteer
Marie McPadden, scout leader
Melissa Pitt, football club volunteer
Heath Armstrong, surf life saving volunteer
Grant Norris, wildlife rescuer
Mary McNaughton, volunteer Tai Chi instructor
Donna Symes, Salvation Army shop and Share The Dignity volunteer
Community Impact Award
Colby Bryce, mental health advocate
Kaylene Stocks, CFA captain
Cameron McFarlane, community postie
Ben Coyle, bowls club volunteer
Rhani Bayon, Growing Winchelsea volunteer
David Steele, community radio presenter
Tony Martin, physical and mental health advocate
Volunteer Excellence Award, for groups
Lorne volunteering ladies’ group
All Aboard DisABILITY Support Services volunteers
Sewing For A Purpose
Aireys Inlet Rural Australians for Refugees
Register to attend the 2025 Local Legends presentations and read about their inspiring stories via surfcoast.vic.gov.au/LocalLegends
Council’s Local Legends program commenced several years ago to increase recognition for people contributing to their community.
Cr Joel Grist commended all recipients, thanked nominators, and said the Local Legends set inspiring examples.
“Their quiet and often unseen heroics are symbolic of so much good work carried out by countless selfless people across our communities,” Cr Grist said.
“This year’s legends range from members of a sewing group to wildlife rescuers, a CFA captain to a community psychologist and volunteer crisis supporter, a community house volunteer to a devoted surf life saving club president – all of them and more doing extraordinary things in our community.
“Volunteers are the heartbeat of our community life and their contributions are immeasurable. National Volunteer Week provides a focus for us to recognise the immensity of their combined contributions and say heartfelt thanks for often unheralded work.
“This year’s National Volunteer Week theme ‘Connecting Communities’ also highlights the way volunteering strengthens communities, creates lasting relationships and enriches the lives of those who contribute, as well as those they contribute for.”
Surf Coast Shire Council is grateful for the direct support of more than 200 volunteers who fill roles as Community Asset Committee members managing local halls and reserves, kindergarten volunteers, all abilities and positive ageing committee members, Visitor Information Centre volunteers, First Nations event volunteers and young people who maintain bike park jumps.