Volunteers, leaders win recognition

Murtoa community acknowledged long-time community and sporting volunteer, leader and entertainer Brett Schmidt as its Australia Day citizen of the year.

Mr Schmidt has enjoyed a variety of roles, particularly as a Minyip-murtoa Football Netball Club administrator and volunteer. He has been primary volunteer manager at Jung Market, a player and administrator with Murtoa Tennis Club, on Murtoa showground committee, a State Emergency Service volunteer, member of Marma Lake management committee and a Mechanics Hall committee member. He has also performed as a musician at various events free of charge.

Rupanyup’s citizen of the year is life-long sporting volunteer Margaret ‘Chappy’ Lingham.

Mrs Lingham had extensive involvement in Methodist-rupanyup tennis clubs as a player and junior coaching assistant and volunteer and was a prominent player, official and volunteer with Rupanyup Golf Club where she is a life member.

She is also a Rupanyup Football Netball Club life member after life-long dedication as a volunteer, part of Rupanyup Show Committee and is now heavily involved in supporting Rupanyup Bowls Club, has been a member of Rupanyup Ladies Hall Committee for more than 40 years and part of Stonehaven Ladies Auxiliary.

Rupanyup also has two young achievers of the year in Lachlan Weidemann and Chandan Thandi. Mr Weidemann and Mr Thandi are prominent sportsmen and young community leaders who have also achieved high levels of academic excellence.

Dedicated community volunteer work for Minyip and Boolite communities has won recognition for Trudy Tegelhuter as Minyip district citizen of the year.

Preparation of many successful grant applications for community projects are among major achievements and this year she has raised considerable money for Minyip’s 150th celebrations on the long weekend in March.

Keith Daniels and Chris Niewand were joint Minyip citizens of the year. Both have worked as community volunteers for many years with Saddlers second-hand shop. The new Minyip fuel site, repairs to Emma’s building, Minyip caravan park, Gregson Park and street beautification are among other projects.

Caitlin Funcke won Minyip’s the Pat Walsh young achiever award. The award honours the late Pat Walsh and recognises outstanding community service. Caitlin provides volunteer services across many projects and is a natural leader of her peers.