Top citizens to be announced tonight
Baw Baw Shire will announce its citizens of the year at an awards night to be held at West Gippsland Arts Centre tonight.
The Australia Day awards ceremony honours local community members who have made a significant contribution to the community.
Award categories include citizen and young citizen of the year, community event of the year, Australia Day medallion for an outstanding achievement and community contribution awards in sporting, environmental and cultural categories.
Successful businessman, philanthropist and Order of Australia Medal recipient Paul Wheelton has been announced as Baw Baw Shire’s Australia Day ambassador for 2019 and will be special guest at the event.
For the past 31 years, Mr Wheelton has been managing director and owner of one of the largest budget rental car franchise groups in Australia. With the knowledge that he had built a strong and loyal management team, Mr Wheelton moved into the charitable field 15 years ago and now spends the majority of his time working in the notfor-profit sector.
He is a founding board member and chairman of the Bali Children Foundation, which has helped to rebuild several children’s homes (orphanages) and provides an educational pathway for more than 3000 disadvantaged Balinese children.
Other roles include board member of Life Education Australia and Blue Ribbon Day Community, Order of Australia Association national board deputy chair, member of the Ministerial Advisory Council for Volunteers, capital campaign chairman for Guide Dogs Victoria and patron of several Victorian charities including Neighbourhood Watch and the Les Twentyman Foundation
In 2009 Mr Wheelton was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his services to a range of children’s charities. He was further admitted as a Member of the Order in 2017 for his philanthropic work. Mr Wheelton was inducted as a Knight of St John of Jerusalem (KSJ) in June 2017 in recognition of his philanthropic work with the Northern Hospital and Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Mr Wheelton is also passionate about correcting the gender imbalance that exists in many of his areas of work.
Baw Baw Shire mayor Mikaela Power said council was thrilled to obtain Mr Wheelton as ambassador.
“Having an ambassador adds another layer of depth, enthusiasm and inspiration to what is already such a meaningful awards ceremony,” she said.
Mr Wheelton said it was a great honour to be selected as an ambassador.
“Australia Day is a day to reflect on our national journey and acknowledge the local people that go above and beyond for their community,” he said.
Community members are welcome to attend the awards ceremony. Seating is limited and must be booked in advance by phoning 5624 2411.