By Mario Xuereb
BRIMBANK’S Australia Day civic awards recognised the contributions of the municipality’s most dedicated residents last week.
Keilor student Julian Wallace was named Young Citizen of the Year for his leadership efforts.
The Year 8 student at Catholic Regional College in Keilor North, Julian is a member of his student council and served as team manager of a design group at the school. The group built a model formula one car that finished third in state competition.
Brimbank’s Volunteer of the Year award went to Albanvale’s Steve Burns.
Mr Burns has been involved in the scouting movement for more than 30 years, including stints as scout leader, district scout leader, group leader of the 1st Deer Park Scouts and treasurer of the Brimbank District Scout Association.
The Albanvale resident has helped five local win the Queen’s Scout Award.
Three members of his venturer unit have achieved their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, two of whom continued to complete their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Brimbank’s Older Person of the Year was 79-year-old Lang Kim Truong.
Mrs Lang has volunteered for Vietnamese elderly groups through the Indochinese Elderly Refugee Association for more than 13 years.
She also is a member of the association’s board of management, which is the only body representing the Vietnamese elderly community in the state.
Mrs Lang organises English classes, a social club, tai chi, group excursions and a knitting program for members of the group.
