Australia Day

Fay Brown was announced as Nathalia’s Citizen of the Year at the Australia Day celebrations at the Nathalia Recreation Reserve on Australia Day.

The Nathalia Angling Club won two awards - Community Organisation of the Year and Community Event of the Year.

Regan Hollioake was the recipient of the Arts/Culture/Sporting Achievement award.

Citizen of the Year - Fay Brown

Fay has been in the Nathalia district since 1969. Originally from Koonamoo. She has been a nurse in the RAAF as well as at Numurkah and Nathalia and other places. Fay is married to John Brown and has 3 children and 7 grandchildren. She has worked alongside John on the family farm at Yalca North until moving into Nathalia upon retirement. Fay has always been involved in the local community from the time she moved to the district. Her friendly and caring nature ensures she is well liked and respected by everyone who meets her. Through Fay's community involvement, she has made many life long friends. Since retiring, Fay is busier than ever with her involvement within the community. Including but not limited to Nathalia Hospital Auxiliary, Women's Health, Meals on Wheels, PAG, Nathalia Bookshop, Anglican Church of Nathalia and Nathalia/Picola RSL.

When Fay was fist married she helped out with the local Brownies group with Thelma Adams and Betty Lucas.

When her children attended Nathalia Kindergarten she got involved with the kindergarten activities and was President of the Kindergarten Committee. As her children moved on to Primary School, Fay became President of the school council and continued to be involved in many school activities. When the children reached high school Fay helped out with many functions and volunteered in the canteen.

Fay has been involved in the youth club and Yalca North Cricket Club.

She has been President or Vice President in her time with the Women’s Health Group.

In the past Fay has sold many a raffle ticket for many of the groups she has been involved in.

 

Fay Brown - Nathalia’s Citizen of the Year announced on Australia Day.

 

Community Organisation of the Year &

Community Event of the Year—Nathalia Angling Club

Nathalia Angling Club was established approx. 2007 and currently has 72 members. Our club conducts monthly fishing trips with families around the shire enabling our members to experience all waterways in our region.

In 2015 our club with the aid if grants constructed the all abilities platform at the Uncle Bobs park in Nathalia.

We also community involved by catering for events ie. NYE Carnival, schools and fund raising events. We also hold the yearly Graeme Bernhardt Memorial Kids Fishing Day which is the largest children’s fishing day in the Moira Shire and Victoria.

Our club is very proud of all our achievements as we are only small but are big on Community and promoting our region. We also work closely with Fisheries and VRFish (One of our sponsors).

Nathalia Angling Club members - Fay Botterill, David McKenzie, Cheryl McKenzie with Wendy Lovell & Matthew Morgan. Many other members of the Angling Club were in the kitchen where they had prepared the BBQ for the evening’s meal.

 

Arts/Culture/Sporting Achievement award - Regan Hollioake

Regan works as a physiotherapist serving local and wider community. Regan took up triathlon in 2018 - she has moved through the ranks qualifying for her professional licence in 2023.

Regan has represented Nathalia and Australia on the World stage, and has gained the following: 1st in Ironman in Tasmania Triathlon, 1st in Ironman in Geelong Triathlon, 1st in Ironman in Melbourne Triathlon, 3rd in Ironman World Championships in Finland.

Regan's goal is to inspire and empower women through her sport - to push the limits of what is possible. She believes that sporting participation at all levels and abilities is a vital combination to our health and wellbeing and strength as a community.

Regan Hollioake - Arts/Culture/Sporting Achievement award

Australia Day Barmah

A large crowd enjoyed a traditional breakfast of bacon and eggs at the annual Barmah Australia Day celebrations.

Later in the morning, the annual duck race took place on the Murray River.

 

Australia Day Picola

With flags flying and Australiana memorabilia on display, everyone was made welcome at the Picola Heritage Park breakfast.

Smiles, hugs and friendship renewed, made for a lovely relaxing Australia Day. Kerry and her team of workers had everything organised before arrival, with food and coffee.

A sumptuous breakfast was cooked to perfection by Neil.

Thank you to all for making it such a pleasant morning.