Altona’s Sharon Walsh with Cr Tony Briffa and Deputy Mayor John Hogg. 76374 Picture: SUPPLIED
By Vanessa Chircop
ALTONA resident Sharon Walsh was last week awarded Hobsons Bay’s Citizen of the Year while the Lions Club of Altona was awarded the 2012 Volunteer Group of the Year.
Hobsons Bay Mayor Tony Briffa, who presented the awards at last week’s Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony, said Ms Walsh had worked tirelessly for her community for a number of years, helping bring people to Hobsons Bay through a range of initiatives, including the Altona Beach Market, Australia Day festivities in Logan Reserve and Altona Beach Festival.
“She has been a long time retailer in the Pier St precinct and is a driving force behind the Altona Traders’ Association,” he said.
“Sharon has also devoted much of her time to helping those less fortunate.”
Cr Briffa said the Lions Club of Altona was a very worthy recipient of the 2012 Volunteer Group of the Year.
“This club has worked tirelessly for the Hobsons Bay Community for the past 46 years,” he said.
“Just in the past year, they’ve put in more than 12,000 volunteer hours and donated more than $30,000 to the community in funds or products.
“Some of the regular projects run by the club include: Altona Beach Festival; Clean up Australia Day; performing community work for the elderly; providing hampers for the disadvantaged; assisting in homelessness related projects; running a soup van; and the project list goes on.
“The Lions Club of Altona and its members are shining examples of the Australian notion of community spirit, always looking for a way to help out many members of our community.”
Nominations for the Young Citizen of the Year are still open.
Winners will be announced at a citizenship ceremony in March.
To nominate an outstanding young person, go to the Youth Services facebook page or visit
www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au before Wednesday 29 February.
