AUSTRALIA DAY TATURA

Victory Hall was filled with people celebrating Australia Day 2023. After the ‘Welcome to Country’ by Aaron Wallace there was the raising of the flag, the opening blessing and musical entertainment. The worthy recipients of the 2023 Australia Day Awards were then presented with their awards.

Citizen of the Year 2023

John (Jack) Lowe

John tirelessly contributes to the local community in so many ways. He is always prepared to go above and beyond to ensure he puts other before himself.

He has always been a quiet achiever and is constantly involved in the Tatura community in many ways for all his life. He is always willing to help, mentor and assist where and when needed and is always happy to provide excellent counselling to guide others. His contributions to our local community span over many years and in many different ways. He is an outstanding listener, gentle and considerate to all he meets. He is an active member of Probus, spent 40 years on the Myola Aged Care committee and is heavily involved in International Dairy Week. Jack was awarded Life Membership of Apex due to his outstanding service to his community.

Senior Citizen of the Year 2023

Thelma Wood

Thelma is a retired schoolteacher. She has strong leadership skills and leads by example. She is always willing to put up her hand to assist in any way she can. She welcomes and encourages others, promotes inclusion, and fosters community involvement. She has had a huge impact at both the Byrneside and Tatura communities. Thelma is very creative and this with her musical ability has provided much entertainment and enjoyment over the years. Thelma has been involved in the Byrneside Hall Committee, Tennis Club and Primary School Parent Club. She has also been a member of the Rodney CWA for many years, is an Anglican Church organist and has been secretary of the Merrigum Kindergarten.

Sports Award 2023

Elsie Boyer

Elsie excels as a young sportswoman at her preferred sport of netball.

She has played her entire netball career at Tatura. She commenced her pathway at the Tatura Netball Association (TNA), and currently plays with the Tatura Football Netball Club (TFNC) Elsie started playing netball at about the age of five and is still only 18. She has been a multiple squad representative at all levels of netball, including at the Shepparton Netball Association (SNA), Netball Victoria Talent Academy, Association & State Championships, GVL interleague level & Victorian Netball League (VNL). A prodigious talent, Elsie is an elite netballer, and sportswoman on any measure. Elise also umpires & coaches & holds her C Badge umpire and foundation coaching accreditations.

Elsie has made significant contributions to the Tatura netball community, particularly the TFNC. While still only 15, she made her A Grade debut, and at 16 became Co-Captain in 2021, and Captain in 2022. She also coaches and umpires at GVL level, including Assistant Coach at 15 & Under level in 2021 & senior squad training coach roles.

She holds the responsibility of managing the Club's entire social media platforms – a vital contributor to communication, & link to the broader community. She has also been the driver responsible for the ongoing update & ecommerce platform for the Club's merchandise & uniforms. Her volunteer contributions play a vital role in the TFNC's – Tatura's largest community group.

Elsie is the most distinguished & decorated Tatura junior netballer of recent times, if not of all time. Consequently, she is a role model for netball success for Tatura junior netballers. Likewise, she is also a prime example of the pathway for high achievement at the elite level of netball. She not only inspires those junior netballers of lower age, but constantly provides the same to her teammates through her natural leadership abilities.

Guest Speaker

Alex (Lachie) Ranson - Local Legend

Alex has been a long-term resident of Tatura and has done some marvellous work within our community and made substantial contributions on a volunteer basis to many organisations and has been involved in many clubs locally and at times taking on leadership positions, especially with cricket. Alex gave an inspiring presentation on his experiences.

He opened the first self-service proceri store in Tatura and has spent many years involved in cricket both in Australia, England and Scotland. This includes 38 years coaching in the seven different English Counties, 22 years as a cricket professional at Dulwich College in London and 14 years as the director of Cricket at a college in Scotland.

Locally Alex is a life member of the Tatura Football Club and has spent many years on the Sacred Heart School Board.