General News
28 January, 2025
Hindmarsh Shire Council residents honoured at Australia Day awards
Shire members were recognised at the awards ceremonies.
Australia Day, January 26, started early in Hindmarsh Shire on Sunday 26 January 2025, commencing with a barbecue breakfast in Rainbow at 7:30am provided by the Rainbow Lions Club.
Ceremonies followed in Jeparit, Dimboola, and concluding in Nhill and organised by the Jeparit Town Advisory Committee, Dimboola CWA and Nhill Lions Club respectively.
Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor, Cr Ron Ismay, attended all four Australia Day ceremonies where he addressed the crowd and announced Hindmarsh Shire's 2025 Australia Day Awards and presented recipients with their awards.
Allira Roberts of Rainbow is the 2025 Hindmarsh Shire Citizen of the Year recipient.
The award recognises and acknowledges her dedicated and untiring volunteer work for the Rainbow community, particularly the Rainbow Town Advisory Committee and the Rainbow Archives.
She has successfully applied for grants and permits on behalf of the Rainbow Town Advisory Committee and has also developed a new residents booklet providing necessary information to new residents of Rainbow - among several other achievements and roles within the Rainbow community.
As another example, Allira's volunteer work for the Rainbow Archives has included sorting, scanning and cataloguing historic newspaper items, letters and many other items of documentation of historical importance.
Allira strives to instil a positive attitude in everything she does and takes every opportunity to advocate for inclusivity to the benefit of the greater community.
Her advocacy includes the establishment of all-ability parking in strategic locations in the Rainbow business district, DDA compliant amenities and facilities at public toilets in the township of Rainbow, and all-ability access to the Rainbow Swimming Pool.
Nhill's Bailee White received the Hindmarsh Young Citizen of the Year award.
Bailee volunteers her time for several local groups in the Nhill Community, including Nhill A & P Society, Nhill Basketball Association, Hindmarsh Shire Youth Council, Iona Aged Care Facility and Nhill and District Sporting Club.
She has also been involved in several plays and musicals for Nhill College, and as a representative on the School Representative Council (SRC) from 2018 to 2024, Bond House Caption (2023 to 2024), and SRC President in 2024.
Bailee has received many accolades throughout her years at Nhill College, receiving awards such as Luv A Duck Award in Years 9 & 10, Mallee excellence award in Year 10, Long Tan Youth Leadership Teamwork Award in Year 10 and more.
She has also been awarded Nhill Lion's Youth of the Year for 2024 and in December of 2024, she represented Nhill Lion's Club on an exchange to Canada for six weeks.
Bailee is an exceptional and inspirational role model for younger people in the Shire who want to make a positive impact on the community.
Her willingness to volunteer her time and participate in many activities, proves her dedication to the community.
Janet Pilmore of Dimboola has been announced as the recipient of the Hindmarsh Shire Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025.
Award category was created by Hindmarsh Shire councillors in 2024.
This award is presented to a person who has continuously contributed to the Hindmarsh Shire community for several years, whether it be through volunteering, running a local business, offering a helping hand when needed and/or being a positive advocate for the community and people.
Janet has made a significant contribution to the Dimboola community for many decades across numerous organisations and for various causes, whether it has been for empowering young people, supporting vital services, or fostering a strong connection and care within the community.
Her stewardship of the Dimboola Gateway Shop for over 35 years ensured its day-to-day operations and saw it become a cornerstone for the success of Dimboola Girl Guides.
Janet's involvement with CFA Ladies' Auxiliary has seen her prepare food for firefighters during emergencies and organising fundraising events to support the CFA.
The passion she has for the community extended to her membership in the Dimboola Garden Club, where she contributed to local beautification projects until the club disbanded in 2009.
She has been heavily involved with Dimboola Girl Guides, taking on a leadership role, where she empowered young girls by instilling values such as self-confidence and providing them opportunities to learn vital life skills.
She renewed her guide promise in 2014 to lead the Second Company Guides in Dimboola, where she has organised camps, mentored future leaders and ensured continued success of the program.