Tamara Wilson has been named as Murrindindi Shire’s ‘Young Citizen of the Year’.

The presentation was made this afternoon (Sat.) by Murrindindi Mayor, Cr Sandice McAulay.

“Tamara Wilson was awarded ‘Young Citizen of the Year’ because she has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to her community in Marysville – volunteering for the Brownies and the Lions Club, just to name a few of her fundraising and community support activities.

“Ms Wilson is a young person dedicated to furthering herself and is a role model to her peers. We’re looking forward to seeing the impact she will have in the future!

“We are very proud of all our Australia Day Award recipients – there can be no doubt they each deserve to be recognised for their contributions to our communities. It is people like Mr Noonan, Ms Wilson and Mrs Hodson who make Murrindindi Shire such a special place to live.

“It was also fantastic to have Associate Professor Debra Bateman, Mohammed Alam and Paul Guerra out and about at Australia Day events as our Australia Day Ambassadors.

“The Australia Day Ambassador Program aims to provide an opportunity for all Australians to meet and gain inspiration from Australian achievers who come from all walks of life. The Ambassadors aim to promote the meaning of, and participation in, Australia Day across the nation,” Cr McAulay said.

“The panel of judges had to make some tough decisions as all the nominees are truly committed and inspiring members of the community,” Cr McAulay said.

“Thanks to everyone who got involved in this year’s events, and an especially big thank you to those hard-working community groups who always go to so much effort to make Australia Day in Murrindindi Shire so special,” Cr McAulay added.

Debra Bateman is a passionate and committed educator. She has worked across educational sectors, and her research focuses on how young people think about their futures, and the important role that schools and communities play in disrupting taken-for-granted notions of what is possible and probable in their lives.

Since arriving in Australia from Bangladesh in 2004, Mohammed Alam has volunteered with the Australian Red Cross, St John Ambulance Victoria and the Victorian State Emergency Service (SES). He also works as a Protective Services Officer with Victoria Police.

Paul Guerra is the CEO of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and a Director of Red Dust Role Models, an organisation which promotes health development for indigenous youth in remote communities.