Two thriving groups joint winners

Afootball club and afriends of anature reserve group have been named joint winners of Healthy People and Environment Award in the Macedon Ranges Shire’s Australia Day Awards.

One of the winners, Woodend Masters Football Club, is acommunity sports team for men aged 35 and older, and are part of the AFL Country Victoria Masters Football League. The club currently has more than 52 members registered and is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and wellbeing for all ages and abilities.

This club has also been active in supporting the community through fundraising and other activities. The club attends working bees for club members or community groups to assist, and provided support during the storm damage of 2021. Excess funds raised by the group are also used to support local sport or groups, particularly junior sport.

With their commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and supporting mental health and community safety, the club has made asignificant impact in the community.

The other joint winner of the award is the Friends of Daly Nature Reserve which is adedicated group that works on public conservation land in cooperation with the council’s environment team. Established in 2013, the group is amemberofthe Jacksons Creek Eco Network and Gisborne and Mount Macedon Districts Historical Society Inc. They work collaboratively with the Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network, 1st Gisborne Scout Group, and the Gisborne Primary School. Akey initiative of the group is their work with Traditional Owners to communicate the traditional seasons of the area with the community. The group also carries out regular working bees, conducts photo point monitoring to document changes in the reserve, participates in Clean Up Australia Day, and coordinates nature walks with the local primary school.

The group is strongly dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles, protecting the natural environment, supporting education and cultural awareness and community engagement.