By NATALIE GALLENTI-BREKALO
THE City of Melton’s finest citizens were honoured with Community Achievement Awards as part of Australia Day celebrations last Sunday.
Mayor Bob Turner praised the impressive group and said the awards recognised the valuable contribution made to the community by individuals, groups and projects over the past year.
And despite the well-deserved acclaim and applause, the winners remained humble when bestowed with the honour.
As Citizen of the Year Patrick Gurrie put it: “I’m absolutely stoked”.
The Caroline Springs grandfather received the award for his years of service to the community including his work as chairman of St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church Building Project, chairman of the Church Opening and Dedication Organising Committee, and his tireless efforts as the parish’s special projects initiator and organiser.
A dedicated and well-known volunteer, Mr Gurrie is also the Caroline Springs Cricket Club under-15 coach and vice-president of the Caroline Springs Dog Club, where he devotes his time to being an instructor.
“I’m the kind of person that doesn’t just want to belong,” he told Star.
“I want to roll up my sleeves and get involved … more people need to have that attitude.”
He believes his passion for community service comes from his parents who gave endlessly and were the perfect role model for their children.
“In those days people tended to give more of themselves I think, they had less money to give.
“I learnt from that and it carried into my adulthood.”
Mr Gurrie was joined by the winner of the inaugural Melton Woman of the Year Award Claire Mouser and Youth Citizen of the Year Award Sara McInnes.
The Community Safety Register, which makes phone calls to vulnerable people through a volunteer-based phone service, was named Community Group of the Year.
Mrs Mouser, recognised for her voluntary work as a group leader of the 1st Caroline Springs Scout Group, said she was “humbled” upon receiving the award.
The dedicated mother-of-two supports a leadership team of 12, and provides mentoring, motivation and leadership example to each and every member of her team. She volunteers five nights a week and also works as an integration aide for children with special needs in local kindergartens.
“Sometimes people say I should build my house on top of the Scouts hall, I’m there so much,” she joked.
“It’s a great honour for the Caroline Springs Scout Group … we’ve only been operating for three years. It’s great recognition.”
Mrs Mouser said being part of a community organisation like the Scouts was invaluable to both children and their parents.
Youth citizen of the Year Sara McInnes, recognised as an emerging leader within the Melton community, said she was “speechless” when she received the great news.
A member of the local Girl Guides group, Sara, 15, is a graduate of the Whitten Youth Leadership Project and in 2013 organised a fundraising drive to benefit the Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia. This drive raised over $400 for the group.
“My family was so proud and they just kept saying she’s growing up too fast,” the Taylors Lakes Secondary College student said.
“The best part of volunteering is giving back to the community regardless of the awards.”
