General News
2 February, 2026
Jeparit honours Wendy
This year's Australia Day Award is proudly presented to an incredibly selfless person.
They always put others' needs before their own, even when they have been ill, or have to split themselves in so many different directions at once.
From being an integral part of the museum committee for so many years, to the Jeparit Angling Club, as a committee member, feeding all of the volunteers during the annual Easter fishing competition, without charging or accepting praise, donating prizes, cooking, cleaning and making sure everyone is alright.
Over 20 years, and insurmountable hours, solo commitment to the Jeparit Historical Society, keeping our history and stories preserved and available for next generations and family historians.
Amazing dedication!
Always making cakes and treats for various organisations and people around town, at no charge – just being generous, kind, and giving, again.
We were even told that she drops off cakes into the senior citizens when they are playing cards, all of the time (and she's a bloody good cook too, we might add)
This person is also very generous with her magnificent garden produce – beautiful fruit and veggies, herbs, cuttings, advice and incredible knowledge, and is also president of the Jeparit Garden Club.
Many years have been spent running elderly people from town to hospital, doctor's appointments, specialist's appointments, cooking for them, cleaning for them, welfare check-ins, and keeping them going and able to still live at home.
Some may say, ‘That was her job’, but we all know she always went above and beyond it just being her job!
A familiar sight was her little car, of various colours and styles throughout the years, zipping around, in and out of town every day, until she became a ‘townie’, and now mainly zips around town heaps.
She does washing and deliveries, for a very minimal fee, for the clients at the Jeparit nursing home, and again with the amazing cakes for special occasions.
She also joins in and does kids party bags for Halloween, helps people out at Christmas making puddings and giving lollies, and treats and goodies at Easter too.
And all of this has happened whilst raising three great children, and looking after family, and extended family.
Everything is always done with an infectious laugh, a quick chat, total efficiency, and always on the go, flat out attitude.
We are extremely honoured to be able to present this award today, in recognition of a very deserving, caring, dedicated and generous woman, who is possibly embarrassed by the richly deserved attention – and we are sure it didn't take long to recognise who we are talking about – and that we have undoubtedly missed many of her efforts and assistance to other committees and people around town.
Our certificate of gratitude and acknowledgement, today, for our Australia Day award from the Jeparit Town Advisory Committee, 2026, is proudly presented to Wendy Zanker, with many thanks.
(Text from the Jeparit Australia Day ceremony)