General News
8 January, 2025
Committed locals to be honoured with Australia Day Awards in Warracknabeal
The Warracknabeal Rotary Club to host Australia Day event.
The Warracknabeal Rotary Club is hosting the 2025 Warracknabeal and district Australia Day celebration on Sunday, January 26.
The event at the Warracknabeal Racecourse will honour three dedicated community members at the local Australia Day Awards.
Diane Marchment will be named the Warracknabeal and District's citizen of the year.
Ms Marchment has been a long-standing member of many local sporting groups, holding several executive and coaching positions.
With her accounting and business background, she has been a driving force in many community organisations and committees, including the Warracknabeal Action Group, where she has served as president since 2017.
Warracknabeal Secondary College 2024 Dux, Ava Koschitzke, will be awarded Young Achiever of the Year.
The 2024 VCE student was also Warracknabeal Secondary College's joint school captain, sports captain, and student representative council member.
Ms Koschitzke is also a dedicated netballer with the Warrack Eagles, having captained and coached many sides before breaking into the club's A-grade side.
Meanwhile, Barry Schilling, a long-standing member of the Sheep Hills Cricket Club, Kellalac Sheep Hills and Brim KSH, will be named the Warracknabeal Sportsperson of the Year.
Mr Schilling has also been a keen hockey player, and between his two sports, he has been a player, administrator, president, coach and umpire in addition to volunteering much of his time.
Warracknabeal's Australia Day celebrations will start at 8am on January 26 with a free cooked breakfast.
Ex-West Coast Eagles AFL player and former Warracknabeal resident Matt Rosa will be a guest speaker at the event.
The day will see musical performances by the Warracknabeal Men's Shed Band and Beulah singer Brylie Chivell.