‘Did what I loved’: Australia Day ceremony recognises ongoing community work in Moira Shire

By Youssef Saudie

May 2, 2022

Classic Australian music roamed the hall of the Cobram Civic Centre as the Moira Shire Council held the 2022 Australia Day Awards ceremony on April 28, after months of delay due to COVID.

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Kotupna’s Deb Fowler was awarded Citizen of the Year for her volunteer work with the Bohollow Wildlife Shelter, the Office of the Public Advocate, Kotupna CFA, the Community Christmas Dinner program as well as managing the Numurkah Community Learning Centre.

“I run a wildlife shelter, and we go all around the Moira Shire and beyond, we do rescue all native wildlife and all those sorts of things,” she said.

Passion for helping: Citizen of the year Deb Fowler from Kotupna. Photo by Youssef Saudie

Ms Fowler’s passion for helping animals has “always been there”, since her “Pop was an animal lover and farmer”.

“I think it was ingrained in me, he was a really kind man … as I grew up I started bringing different animals home and different children home, I like to help,” she said.

“It’s really funny [if Pop were here] I think he would be extremely proud, but I think he’d just go, ‘oh that’s just her anyway’.”

Since being awarded, Ms Fowler is advocating for people to “jump on board and volunteer”, as she said the biggest issues of the region included climate change, homelessness, food insecurity, mental health, and wildlife care.

Celebrating projects: Arts, Culture and/or Environmental Project of the Year, Picola and District Improvement Group. Jeannette Holland, Bronwyn Ryan, Kerry Bruce. Photo by Youssef Saudie

Community Organisation of the Year winners, Cobram Community Cinema Inc: (From left): Wayne Harris, Grace Fazzolari, Josephine Diretto, Jaimie Reuss. Photo by Youssef Saudie

“We need other people out there … I would like to see more equity in caring to make the community stronger, and to slow down and not run over so many animals — if they do call Bohollow Wildlife Shelter,” she said.

Mayor Libro Mustica said this event helped give recognition for the effort put into the communities of Moira Shire.

Recognising community: Mayor Mustica speaking at the Moira Shire Australia Day Ceremony 2022 Photo by Youssef Saudie

“A lot of these groups and committees are ageing now, and it's very hard to get the numbers to support the little groups, we understand them, recognise them, respect them and encourage other people to hop on board.”

Caring for young people: Young Citizen of the Year, Lachlan Ross, from Katamatite. Photo by Youssef Saudie

Young voice: Lachlan Ross giving his speech after being awarded. Photo by Youssef Saudie

Big achievements: Junior Citizen of the Year, Grear Wylie from Cobram. Photo by Youssef Saudie

He said the awardees are “so deserving”, including the Young Citizen of the Year Lachlan Ross from Katamatite who did various volunteering and fundraising for children undergoing health issues.

“So a whole lot of fundraising and toy drives for the kids that are stuck in the Royal Children’s Hospital over Christmas,” said Lachlan.

Mr Ross said he had an “extensive history” with them for medical matters which had driven to help other young people.

“I just did what I loved and helped people as much as I could,” he said.