Amy Hume
ALLEN Hall’s list of achievements is mind-boggling.
It is this dedication and community spirit that saw him awarded Mitchell Shire’s Citizen of the Year.
The long-time Heathcote Junction resident is an inaugural member of the Wandong-Heathcote Junction Community Group, which was initially formed to oppose a residential development at Wandong.
He has since played a leading role in the group and has seen the WHJCG expand its responsibilities enormously.
Allen has also been the driving force behind many initiatives to improve facilities and the environment in the Wandong-Heathcote Junction area.
The group is heavily involved in community activities that include landscaping, planting, clearing litter and rubbish from the streets and removing graffiti.
On behalf of WHJCG and the community, Allen submits many applications for grants to enable improvements in Wandong-Heathcote Junction.
Allen is also responsible for initiating the “pocket money scheme” that has seen the town’s young people become more involved in community activities.
He proudly talks about projects such as the landscaping at Wandong Station that turned an overgrown, blackberry-infested area into a public pathway with a boardwalk across a rocked waterway.
Hundreds of plants have been added to the area, as well as to many other sites throughout Wandong-Heathcote Junction.
Heathcote Junction Railway Station has also received particular attention as Allen tries to maintain its beauty and appeal.
Allen also plays a leading role in social events such as the Wandong Christmas Carols, Australia Day celebrations and bushfire commemorative events.
He is secretary of Wandong-Heathcote Junction Neighbourhood Watch and represents residents on committees such as the Old Wandong Hall, Bushfires Community Action Group and the “Say G’Day” walking and cycling trail.
Allen has obtained a grant through the Minister for the Arts to produce a book which will record the history of the Wandong, Clonbinane and Heathcote Junction townships.
He believes there is no better place to live than Wandong–Heathcote Junction and looks forward to many community projects ahead.
Allen is grateful and humble to be awarded Citizen of the Year but is quick to point out that “this could not have been achieved without many who participate in community projects.”
“Things do not happen because of me, but because of the great team of people in this town who sacrifice some of their time to improve things for the benefit of everyone.
“I would love to see other residents with the same commitment join the community group – more hands make it easier for the small band of volunteers and more gets done,” he said.
Allen is thankful for the continued support of businesses such as the Wandong Newsagency and Post Office, Nannar Homeware and Blaccara Reality.
He also thanked his wife, Mitchell Shire Council officers and Cr Sue Marstaeller for her ongoing support, saying that she is “a driving force for all things local.”
Allen was not the only outstanding individual recognised for his contributions.
Young Rebekah Hickox was awarded Young Citizen of the Year for her continual community efforts.
The 17-year-old moved to Seymour with her family three years ago.
Since then, Rebekah has been working 20 hours a week in addition to completing high school and has continued to excel in her studies and employment while still finding time to volunteer outside of school with numerous community groups.
She is a member of Seymour Fire Brigade, the CJJJ first aid training group, and has been assisting with youth programs at the Seymour Christian Church.
She has continuously applied for homestudy and volunteered for Global Care as part of bushfire relief for the Black Saturday bushfires.
Rebekah has completed her first aid certificate II and been working towards her long-term ambition of becoming a paramedic since 2009.
The Wandong Country Music Festival was named the event of the year.
The festival attracts huge crowds and headline acts from far and wide, boosting the region’s tourism and supporting local businesses.
Recently the festival has suffered many hindrances, including the bushfires in
2009 and the inundation of rain in 2010, but it has triumphed over these obstacles in a professional manner.
Mayor Cr Graeme Coppel congratulated all the award recipients for an outstanding effort.
“The Australia Day awards are about acknowledging the contributions and achievements made by members of our community,” he said.
“Congratulations to the winners of these prestigious awards.”
