Jeff named Bass Coast’s top citizen
BASS Coast Shire Council announced Jeff Nottle of Newhaven as the 2015 Bass Coast Citizen of the Year at the Australia Day Awards presentation on Wednesday night.
Mayor Cr Kimberley Brown and 2014 citizen of the year Barbara Oates made presentations to nominees and award winners in a ceremony at the Civic Centre Council Chambers in Wonthaggi.
Cr Brown commended all nominees.
“We celebrate and thank you all,” she said.
Bass MLA Brian Paynter, also a former Australia Day nominee, spoke at the ceremony.
“In my opinion, volunteering is the heart and soul of building communities,” he said.
Cr Brown congratulated Mr Nottle, who was nominated by Ann Davie, for his dedication to the local community, including his keen interest in the environment.
“Mr Nottle is currently chair of the Preserve Western Port Action Group, which is a sub-group of the Phillip Island Conservation Society,” Cr Brown said.
“Holding this position for the past nine months, Jeff has worked tirelessly to promote the significant natural assets Bass Coast has to offer, with a view to preserving our coasts, flora and fauna for the community to enjoy into the future.
“In all his volunteer positions, Jeff has enthusiastically taken on his responsibilities – an example of the values in a worthy winner of the 2015 Bass Coast Citizen of the Year Award.”
Cr Brown was also pleased to announce teenager Jess Paulson, of South Dudley, as the 2015 Bass Coast Young Citizen of the Year.
“Ms Paulson is a founding member of the Bass Coast Youth Advocacy Group, Future Leaders Influencing our Community (FLIC), which was established in 2013,” Cr Brown said.
“Since the formation of the group, she has gone from active participant to leader and driver, including presenting to council on issues relevant to young people in Bass Coast and was the guiding force behind the recently held FLIC It Up – Wonthaggi Community BBQ.”
Ms Paulson, who was nominated by Kerri Ritchie, is 17 and attends Wonthaggi Secondary College. After school, she hopes to work in childcare.
“I also want to keep doing all the singing and music I do with my family, as well,” said Ms Paulson, who sings with her family group, The Harmonisers.
Nominees for Bass Coast Citizen of the Year were Tony Hughes, Ewan Cole, Fiona Passarin and John Dusher.
Mr Hughes of Wonthaggi, nominated by Pam Williams, recorded the history of the construction of Glen Forbes Gorge Road in a book, Sledge to Studebaker, published Glen Forbes: A Brief History and is involved in the Wonthaggi Woodworkers’ Group.
Mr Cole of Wonthaggi, nominated by Allan Harris, is involved in motorsport at a local and international level, particularly in the Wonthaggi Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) event, which he organises.
He also volunteers at the Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre and energy innovation festivals.
Ms Passarin of Wonthaggi, nominated by Rebecca Wilson, planned education and workshops on the prevention of violence against women.
She is a member of a newly formed regional network established to continue work in the prevention of violence against women and the development of a strategic plan to address this issue.
John Duscher of Wonthaggi, nominated by Sheila Ormerod, has been contributing to the community over the past 40 years, volunteering in groups such as Uncle Bob’s Club, Rose Lodge Aged Care Board, Wonthaggi Rotary and Apex clubs, football clubs and the State Coal Mine Committee.
He has also contributed through his professional career of teaching, through his roles with both the Borough of Wonthaggi and Bass Coast Shire Council, and through his duties as a bail justice and justice of the peace.
Winners and nominees received awards created by artist Marlene Abela of Art Fusion Gallery, Anderson.
Young citizen: from left, 2014 citizen of the year Barbara Oates, 2015 Bass Coast Young Citizen of the Year Jess Paulson and Bass Coast Shire mayor Cr Kimberley Brown at the Australia Day awards.
Great citizen: Jeff Nottle was named 2015 Bass Coast Citizen of the Year at a ceremony in Wonthaggi last Wednesday. He is pictured with 2014 citizen of the year Barbara Oates (left) and Bass Coast Shire Council mayor Cr Kimberley Brown at the Australia Day awards at the Civic Centre Council Chambers, Wonthaggi.
Leading citizens: from left, Bass MLA Brian Paynter, with award nominees John Duscher, Ewan Cole, citizen of the year Jeff Nottle, Tony Hughes, Fiona Passarin, Bass Coast Shire mayor Cr Kimberley Brown and young citizen of the year Jess Paulson.
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