Community Commitment Award 2026

Describe your involvement with the Anglesea Twilight Market and what you regard as your most important achievements?

On market day, I start by getting there early, helping traders set up sites, juggling power, helping those who arrive late. During the market I’m usually wandering around, helping people out and pointing those looking for a place to sit and eat down to the community garden, which we keep open as a relaxed, green space. We’ve actually picked up a lot of new garden members that way, locals and holidaymakers alike. Then at the end of the night I help people pack up and find their way out. It’s a full day.

For me, the biggest achievement is seeing it all run smoothly and watching people enjoy themselves: traders set up, crowds happy, and the garden being used and appreciated. It can be a bit of a juggle, but it works.

I also do volunteer work with the community garden and the resale shed at the tip. So between the garden, the tip shop and the Twilight Market, I’ve got plenty to do.

What motivates you?

It’s really about giving back. A lot of what I do is through the Anglesea Community House, which supports the community garden and so many other local initiatives. They do a huge amount for the town, and this is my way of contributing. I enjoy being involved and being part of something that benefits locals and visitors alike. There’s a lot of personal satisfaction in it. You meet so many people, you get to know the regular traders by name, and you feel part of something bigger. It’s a good feeling knowing you’re helping create something people enjoy and supporting that sense of community is what keeps me doing it.

What does it mean to you to be acknowledged as a Surf Coast Shire Local Legend?

I was genuinely surprised. There are plenty of people I could think of who I’d have said were more deserving, people who’ve given years to different clubs and community groups. People like the market manager, Helen Kline, and her partner Andrew who have become wonderful friends over the years. Without them there would be no market at all.

I was thrilled, of course, and they haven’t said anything but I’ve got a fair idea it came from Julie Martin, Ange Collins, and the other volunteers at the Community House, which means a lot. You don’t do this kind of work for recognition, but it is an honour to know people have noticed and appreciated your involvement. It’s really about being part of the community and contributing where you can, so to be acknowledged like that is very humbling.

What do you love about the Surf Coast Shire community?

Anglesea has grown, but it’s still very much itself. We’ve got enough people now to support good services like cafés, restaurants, shops, without losing what makes the place special. Being surrounded by state and national park means its footprint can’t get any bigger, so it keeps that village feel. There’s a strong balance between locals and visitors; we rely on tourism, and it’s important we embrace that because it keeps businesses going year-round. What I love most is that sense of a steady, working community. People choose to be here, and they all contribute to it. It’s a place where you can know people, get involved, and see the direct impact of that involvement.

Describe your involvement and what you regard as your most important achievements?

I was a volunteer on the Connewarre Reserve Community Asset Committee for around 35 years.

We saw the amalgamation of three primary schools – Connewarre, Freshwater Creek and Mount Duneed – which went from 50 students at each school to 150 up at Mount Duneed.

There was a void in trying to keep up that community involvement and interest, so the hall committee came to the game.

We would hold functions in and around the hall.

There was always a bonfire and Christmas celebrations were important – especially when Santa turned up on the firetruck.

Trivia came to the fore and we did a few bush dances as well. We had strong turnouts which was pretty good because it was only a letter drop back in those days.

We also formed Greening Connewarre which was a Landcare Group that initiated a lot of plantings around the reserve – perimeter plantings along with public and private plantings around the area.

You can’t plant a tree without a sausage I’ve always said, there were BBQs after our working bees and that’s important.

What motivates you?

Community first, that’s all it’s been.

It was important that we welcomed any new people and embraced them, and gave them somewhere they could come and relate to.

We kept putting in facilities for the community: installation of a covered walkway and ramp from the hall for wheelchair access to outside toilets, an under-cover electric BBQ, skate bowl, BMX track and walking track in the reserve.

The walking track is lovely, seeing the diversity of the people who get out on it – the early morning joggers, late night strollers and middle of the day mums and pushers, it’s very nice.

What does it mean to you to be acknowledged as a Surf Coast Shire Local Legend?

It’s humbling as Connewarre has many dedicated volunteers and families living in the area over generations.

Our 170^th anniversary celebrations turned out to be a big day. People came from everywhere to celebrate.

Moving from Connewarre has been a big step however on the positive we’ve only moved from Thompsons Creek to Armstrong Creek as I’m still looking forward to planting trees. 

With an able and capable Hall committee, Connewarre can look forward to many more achievements.

What do you love about our Surf Coast Shire community?

It was always lovely to say g’day to folk walking a dog, young mums pushing inquisitive babes, dads with little ones on anything that had wheels on the skate area. I think we all can be proud of what we have.

The hall has been a marvellous asset. It’s great to be able to draw people to it.

My wife Sue and I were very lucky to be on a little bit of acreage in Connewarre and raise our two boys on it, we all loved it.

But it wasn’t just the property itself, it was the other farmers and the people in the district. It’s a locality and a community.

Jodi joined Anglesea Community House as a reception volunteer in August 2025 and has quickly become an invaluable part of the team.

She brings professionalism, warmth, and reliability to the role, and anticipates what is needed before being asked. Jodi’s willingness to support staff, visitors, and the broader community goes far beyond her volunteer position.

We are incredibly grateful for the dedication, care, and positive energy she brings to the House.

Describe your involvement and what you regard as your most important achievements?

Ater relocating from South Australia I was keen to get involved with the community. I have volunteered in the past and knew this is a great way to meet new people.

I work on the front desk and help with any administrative tasks needed at the Community House.

I love interacting with people and being part of the community. I find everyone at the Community House is so supportive and helps each other.

What motivates you?

I have volunteered before and wanted to get involved with the community when we relocated. I have administration skills and wanted to volunteer and use the skills I have.

I believe that if we interact as a community everyone is happier and makes the community stronger.  

I like giving back to the community, and it is appreciated by a wide range of people

What does it mean to you to be acknowledged as a Surf Coast Shire Local Legend?

It’s flattering to be nominated but not expected at all.

I hope this helps to show the community how anyone can get involved and encourages more people to volunteer.

What do you love about our Surf Coast Shire community?

I love the Australian essence of the Surf Coast are, the happy and relaxed culture.

It’s such a supportive community, and we all feel safe here. 

Describe your involvement and what you regard as your most important achievements.

I’ve been teaching the Indonesian based martial art Silat in Torquay for 34 years now.

I started back in 1982 and was teaching self defence, or martial arts, out of a church hall in Price Street Torquay and since then I think we’ve had about 15 participants reach black belt.

As far as achievements, I’m just the instructor who stands out the front but our students have won Victorian, Australian and world titles in the style of Silat.

And believe it or not I’m still refereeing to this day at the national all-style martial arts competition two or three times a year.

I’m 67 now and not as active as I used to be in Silat but still taking classes and put the students through what they need to do. We train once a week at the Bellbrae Hall and the only people that I’m teaching now are the black belts.

Our oldest is probably 74 and I think the youngest these days is in his early 30s.

I don’t take payment for what I do, the only fees I collect are to pay the rent basically and cover the public liability insurance.

What motivates you?

Don’t know!

It’s something I started years ago, I was a shift worker and I found I couldn’t be a team player any more in a team sport so I ended up starting with martial arts in Torquay and that way I thought if I don’t turn up I’m not affecting anyone else.

I just continued on and went all the way through and ended up going to Indonesia for my black belt grading about 20 years ago.

I’m just happy to pass on a bit of knowledge and I suppose my attitude is if I wasn’t doing that I’d be sitting at home on the couch watching TV.

You’ve sort of got to be a special breed as a martial artist.

I’ve probably had 500 people go through the school but there’s not many that want to do what I do – teach and pass on the knowledge. Plenty of people do it for themselves.

That’s why I do the refereeing as well. If I wasn’t refereeing there would be no-one there for the kids and young adults to continue their craft.

What does it mean to you to be acknowledged as a Surf Coast Shire Local Legend?

It’s a bit of an honour I suppose. It shows that the Surf Coast Shire Council recognises people who do their little bit for the community.

So I’m a little bit chuffed.

What do you love about our Surf Coast Shire community?

I’ve been down here for many years, most of my adult life. I grew up in Belmont but the first house I bought was in Torquay.

My parents grew up in Torquay. My mother’s father was the headmaster of Torquay Primary School and my father’s father used to drive the school buses into the old Geelong Tech.

I live in Jan Juc and we have five children, all grown up.

I just love the lifestyle here.

Cheryl is a valued volunteer at Anglesea Community House who brings warmth, dedication, and an incredible sense of humour to everything she does.

Her ability to make people laugh and smile is second to none, creating a welcoming and positive environment for everyone who walks through the door.

Cheryl’s generosity with her time and her uplifting spirit make a real difference to our community, and we are so grateful for the joy and support she brings to the House.

Describe your involvement and what you regard as your most important achievements?

I volunteer in the front office and do data entry and anything that needs to be done.  I also help community members with any computer problems they may have.

Its not just giving back to others, they are giving back to me, I feel like I am getting more out of it myself.

What motivates you?

I retired a few years ago and it was lovely to kick back put my feet up but I got bored. I’m a people person and I like to be among people and the community. And by volunteering that was one way I could do that.

What does it mean to you to be acknowledged as a Surf Coast Shire Local Legend?

It’s a big honor and a surprise and I didn’t expect it. But it shows that staff at the Community house do appreciate what I as a volunteer do and what the other volunteers do. I just wish everyone could get the recognition of being nominated.

What do you love about our Surf Coast Shire community?

It’s a very friendly community and everyone I speak too is helpful and wants to help the community.

Citation: Larissa arrived in Australia as a refugee following the invasion of Ukraine and has since made a remarkable contribution to the Torquay community. She volunteers generously with Feed Me Surf Coast, Torquay Community House, the Royal Geelong Show, Ukrainian Women’s Association Australia, and the Salvos Op Shop. Her humour and storytelling bring joy and connection, especially at the Community House lunches. A talented crocheter, she generously shares her skills, fostering creativity and belonging wherever she goes. We feel so lucky to have Larissa in our community and think she should be recognised for her efforts.

Describe your involvement and what you regard as your most important achievements.

I volunteer, even on Sundays, and I am so happy to be here in Torquay because I feel that now – may I say – I am a member of the community!

My first volunteering started with Feed Me Surf Coast.

I came to Australia in 2022 when the war started in Ukraine. I have two daughters in Australia Zhanna and Veronica, and Veronica organised a visa for me.

I was here on a humanitarian visa and when I came here I was in shock. Not depression, I was in shock and I didn’t want to go out of the house. I wanted to be at home and to be safe.

I lived with Veronica’s family for a year and Veronica said there is a wonderful place Feed Me Surf Coast and people volunteer there, would you like to have a look.

From the first meeting with them I asked if I could come and help and they said any time. Now I have been nearly four years with them.

There are more than 150 volunteers and I love all of them. They are wonderful, very helpful, they are open, always asking me are you OK today? It is not like hello, it is do you need help?

We meet people who come in and help them sometimes with choosing food, we sort, clean and prepare the food coming from the shops, 

I have also volunteered with Torquay Community House for more than three years, Ukrainian Women’s Association Geelong for four years, Torquay Salvation Army Op Shop for four years and the Royal Geelong Show for three years.

At the community house I help with the children’s play group, and cook for the monthly lunches for older adults. We talk and have a wonderful time and I teach them some Ukrainian language.

I also talk to them about my story. Knowing my story maybe they are happy that they don’t experience such a time and are grateful they are in Australia.

This year I am on the Ukrainian Women’s Association Geelong committee with my daughter Veronica.

We prepare for the Geelong Pako Festa each year, and the Mama’s Market, which I would call a festival of Ukrainian culture, on the day before Mother’s Day.

We cook traditional foods and I knit and crochet items including hearts in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, animal paws, bears and Easter bunnies and I am going to make dog bandanas.

This year the committee has allowed Veronica to run a stall fundraising for animals abandoned due to the war in Ukraine.

I love working at the Op Shop, and with the other volunteers for the Royal Geelong Show, preparing for the craft exhibition and then cleaning up, and during the year looking at documentation and instructions and making any necessary changes.

I have entered work in two years and won first and second prizes in the first year and second and third in the second.

What motivates you?

I would do more, but there are no more days!

In Ukraine I was always very busy and worked for 22 years for Oxford University Press in western Ukraine, running seminars and courses for English teachers and organising meetings with authors of textbooks.

I was also an exam trainer, examiner and writer.

When I came here I was doing nothing at first, and then I started at Feed Me Surf Coast and I felt I can help people.

When I see people in bad situations, maybe worse than me, and I can help them it is very rewarding and inspiring for me and I have an aim in my life. I have a reason why I am here.

I feel it is worth for my soul and my heart to be useful. All my life I have wished to be useful, to feel good that I am on the earth.

What does it mean to you to be acknowledged as a Surf Coast Shire Local Legend?

I am in Australia, and I am a Legend!

It inspired me when I heard and I thought oh I can do more.

It was like a reward, and I am on a very good path. I am on the right path.

I am 76 and my life is not sitting at home on the sofa – waiting for what?

I have a diary and it is very nice to see that every day is full and every week is full. I am busy and I am happy, and every evening when I am not volunteering I am crocheting and sewing preparing for Mama’s Market.

What do you love about our Surf Coast Shire community?

A very simple answer – everything!

I love when Torquay people in the street smile at you and say hi, even sports people who are running and out of breath.

I like that people take care of Torquay and Jan Juc, and there is a free newspaper where you can read the news.

The Council has a nice lot of things for older people.

I love being in Torquay, that’s why everything is good for me.

Citation: Doug is 103 years old and still an active member of the Lorne Men’s Shed. We believe that he is the oldest men’s shed member in Australia.

Doug has also been strongly involved in many Lorne committees across the decades, including:

• Foreshore Committee, member for 27 years, president for five.
• Cemetery Trust, member for 11 years, president for 10 years.
• Historical Society, 14 years as president.
• RSL sub-branch, member for 81 years, president in 2003.
• Planning and Preservation Committee, member for 22 years.
• Chamber of Commerce, member for five years.

In 2025 Doug was instrumental in creating Lorne’s ‘Avenue of Honour reimagined’ with the P-12 College.

Describe your involvements and what you regard as your most important achievements.

Well I found that being a local when decisions were being made in relation to various things that were going to have a big impact on Lorne, I liked to have an input into it to make sure it was going the way it should.

One of the things I’m very proud of is after the State Electricity Commission was at one stage going to cut down most of the trees along the roadways, a chain each side, we formed a committee to oppose them on that and asked surely there must be another way.

They adopted what they call bundle cables and we saved a big swathe of trees. We believe that the trees between the two hotels and in the other streets are one of the most striking features of Lorne. Something we all love to see – the natural beauty of the place.

When there was a proposal to put high-rise flats on the foreshore opposite the toilet block near the swimming pool, that was knocked on the head because of the influence of a local committee, stopping a precedent.

The foreshore committee was the most influential I enjoyed because we were all locals and the workforce were all locals so we all had the common love of Lorne behind us. We made sure there was nothing done that would upset the apple cart.

It was a good committee because it was actual action, and we had a very good foreman Gordon Banister who made sure the place was spic and span all of the time.

I love Lorne very much because I was born here and grew up here and knew every inch of the place. I maintain that Lorne is very unique in that it’s got the very popular coast and lovely beach which attracts most of the tourists, and then you’ve got the hinterland with the waterfalls and fern gullies and rivers that provide different attractions.

I’ve been a member of the Men’s Shed pretty well since it opened, but I’m only involved in the talkfests!

I was an electrician all my life but there’s nothing in the work room that I get involved in.

We often have a presentation talk by somebody with a lot of influence and wonderful background knowledge of their profession, and generally speaking the cross-section of members themselves is very varied and because of that you get some very interesting people to sidle up to and have a good chat.

Of course the working shed has got various projects for the town and they’ll more or less do anything that they’re asked to contribute to.

I love Lorne because there’s a wonderful atmosphere in the place and people when they’re in the holiday mood, apart from their generous spending which keeps the town ticking, the vibrance of people being happy and enjoying themselves rubs off.

Some people, and even some of the locals, curse the fact that so many people come here and they can’t do their normal thing but I think that’s a lot of hooey because we rely on the tourists for our living.

What motivates you?

Luckily I’ve been blessed with good health, so that I’m still active and OK ‘up top’, meaning that I can have a very good interest in the men’s shed and the nursing home, and I’ve got my all-weather scooter which gets me around the place.

I’m quite mobile with it and go downtown and have a meal every now and then, so I’m a very happy chappy.

Having lived here all of my life and seeing what’s happening and being involved in my earlier days, it has been a great ride.

What does it mean to you to be acknowledged as a Surf Coast Shire Local Legend?

I’m very, very chuffed and I’m very proud of the Council for bestowing me the honour, and I think it is very kind of it to do that.

At 103 do you have a special message for our Surf Coast Shire community?

Life’s good, and it all depends on your attitude towards it – that’s the main thing.