General News
26 January, 2025
Horsham celebrated outstanding citizens and welcomed new Australians
Horsham Australia Day celebrates outstanding citizens and welcomes new ones
Horsham's Australia Day celebrations on Sunday, January 26, attracted a big crowd to the Soundshell in Sawyer Park, beginning with breakfast under sunny skies before welcoming its newest Australian citizens and celebrating the Horsham Rural City Council's Citizens of the Year.
Seventeen new citizens repeated the Affirmation of Australian Citizenship, affirming their loyalty to the nation and its people, believing in its democratic beliefs, rights, and liberties, and vowing to uphold and obey its laws.
HRCC mayor, Cr Ian Ross, welcomed them to the community and congratulated them on becoming Australian Citizens.
Citizen of the Year was presented to Horsham Businessman Principal Director of Morrow Motor Group and community advocate Gavin Morrow.
He initiated the community group, Healthy Minds, which helps people manage their stress, reduces anxiety, creates a healthier mind and reduces mental health trauma.
Mr Morrow and his wife, Jodie, are also foster parents to children needing a safe place.
He has contributed significantly to cancer research and numerous sporting and community groups through the family business, Morrow Motor Group.
In accepting the award from Mayor Ross, he said he had not achieved this alone.
He said he had learnt about giving to the community from his parents, and his mother, Barbara, was still very active in the community. He said his community advocacy and ongoing financial support for clubs and organisations had been done as a family, and he had the support of various committees for other causes he supports.
He shared a quote that had made an impression on him during his life.
"Every act has a consequence," he said."Smiling at someone can lift their spirits, and we will most likely get one back. If we speak in anger, it will most likely end up in a disagreement."
He congratulated the other recipients and new citizens.
Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Julia Hastings. Julia is actively involved in Horsham Guides and said she knew when she first went to a meeting as a young child it was something she wanted to be involved in. She continues to study and achieve more within guides.
She has a part-time job, attends Horsham College in Year 10 and continues to find ways to support the community.
In her leadership role at Guides, Julia has attended planning meetings, sleepovers, and camps and organised and ran unit meetings
The 16-year-old positively influences the other girls who attend Guides, encouraging them to try things, do their best, think independently, be mindful and kind to others, and take on new leadership opportunities.
In addition to her leadership contributions, Julia has volunteered many hours at Vinnies in Horsham, where she assisted with pricing, presented secondhand items for sale, greeted customers, and processed transactions.
"Volunteering helps you make friends; it is fun, and at the same time, you're helping people, " she said.
Community Event of the Year was awarded to 'Love Your Mum'. The Love Your Mum High Tea, organised by sisters Maria and Teresa Marchesini, Helen Fisher, Lee Elliot and Robyn Lardner, was recognised for its remarkable impact.
On behalf of the group, Maria said it had been the dream of their friend Susan Shilling to have an event to take mothers on Mother's Day.
"Sadly, she died before the event, but with her dream and our work, we made that dream come true," she said.
Organisers raised and donated $16,000 to Grampians Health, Horsham Cardiac Rehabilitation and $10,000 to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria.
Australia Day Ambassador David Jochinke gave the Australia Day address, praising the region for all it has to offer in lifestyle and wellbeing.
The MC for the Australia Day event was Nick Wilson. The Rotary Club of Horsham East, Rotary Club of Horsham, Lions Club of Horsham, Lions Club of the City of Horsham and Horsham Apex Club catered.
The Horsham Rural City Band, Horsham City Pipe Band, and the Voices of the Wimmera provided music.