Shirecelebrates community

This year’s Citizen of the Year for Mount Alexander Shire is long-term volunteer, George Milford who has passionately dedicated his time in groups and organisations across the shire for the past 55 years.

He puts 100 per cent into everything he does and has been an invaluable member of Harcourt Heritage Centre, Harcourt Cemetery Trust, Harcourt District Leisure Centre, Harcourt Uniting Church, Harcourt Valley Landcare Group, Castlemaine Legacy Group, Castlemaine Art Gallery; Historical Museum Foundation, Buda Historic Home; Garden, S.R. Stoneman and Castlemaine District Uniting Church Parish.

Bodie Maffescioni was named Young Citizen of the Year in recognition ofhis volunteer work and commitment to supporting the mental health ofpeople inthe community. He has had several volunteer roles over the past five years, including aCouncil Youth Advisory Group member, acontributor to When Life Sucks: Mental health consultation anda vol- unteer with Castlemaine Safe Space. Bodie is also apassionate disability support worker with Windarring.

Bodie provides support, care and gratitude to those around him and is amentor to other young people.

CFA stalwart Bill Chapman was honored to be named Senior Citizen of the Year. Bill is adedicated volunteer and awell-loved member of the Castlemaine community. His dedication to his community and passion for volunteering began in his teens and continues into his 80s.

Bill has volunteered with the Castlemaine Fire Brigade, the CFA, St Mary’s Catholic Church, Loddon Prison, the Castlemaine and Maldon Railway Preservation Society, the Loddon Miniature Steam Locomotive Society, and Legacy.

2023’s Community Event of the Year was awarded to The MAIN Game, an annual fundraising event held byCastlemaine’s local radio station, MAINfm.