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Community innovators recognised
Victoria’s most innovative community groups were recognised with awards at the RCV Rural Summit at Lakes Entrance.
The award-winners were:
- Library Services (joint winners): CWA Dingee and Campaspe Regional Library.
- Saving Energy: Totally Renewable Yackandandah
- Fire Safety: The Bushfire Foundation
In presenting the inaugural awards, RCV Chair Cr Rob Gersch said the awards gave recognition to those people living in regional and rural Victoria who understood the need to implement bright ideas to strengthen their communities.
“The calibre of award nominations were extremely high and we were thrilled with how people recognised and appreciated the extra efforts people were going to in order to make their communities stronger and more resilient,” he said.
“This is the first year we have held these awards and we look forward to growing them each year and building on their reputation with rural Victorians.
“The common theme among all award-winners was the desire to go above and beyond in offering services that benefit those who choose to enjoy the many benefits of living in rural areas,” Cr Gersch said.
Threatened with the loss of library services to the small community of Dingee, in the Shire of Loddon, the CWA leapt into action.
Working with the Council, VicTrack and the Bendigo Goldfields Library, the CWA Dingee and District negotiated a library service in the former railway station building.
CWA Dingee and District Secretary Di Liston said the library is managed and run by local volunteers.
"This prize will make a difference to our library in maintaining it and continuing it to be a community hub as well as a library," she said.
"From little things big things grow and so did the library agency at Dingee. From an expression of interest, a suggestion of using the unused railway station, to community support from local groups and clubs, and so it evolved. Both VicTrack and Loddon Shire Council were happy to jump on board, and with Goldfields Library in the mix, it was great to see all these people helping each other, and us, to achieve our one goal – to keep a library service in our area."
Campaspe Regional Library's Jenny Mustey said that she was thrilled the library could be recognised for its innovative and inclusive programs offered to communities across the Campaspe Shire Council and the Murray Shire Council region.
"From coordinating essential home-based delivery services to offering interactive technology sessions for seniors, we focus on ensuring people feel connected and included in their community," she said.
"Inclusion and acceptance is important and we aim to reduce barriers to participation by ensuring community members have access to resources and opportunities whilst increasing their capabilities to engage, contribute to local services and connect with their communities.
"In receiving this award it will enable us to further provide resources for the Next Chapter Book Club which offers a fun way for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to activity participate in a weekly book club."
Since forming in 2014, Totally Renewable Yackandandah has developed a plan to transition Yackandandah to 100 per cent total renewable energy by 2022, working alongside energy and utility providers and the local council to bring about these positive changes.
Executive Officer Matthew Charles-Jones said this has included community solar installations, energy efficiency program, working to launch a community energy retailer and solar bulk buy and large installations.
"TRY is cooperating with residents, businesses and community groups to implement a series of interconnected microgrids," he said.
"These microgrids, built in partnership with Mondo Power, will take us to our 100 per cent renewable energy supply. Fortunately we are getting great guidance and support from local, state and federal levels of government.
"TRY is deeply passionate about helping people reduce their energy use, generate and share their own power and then work cooperatively across the community. The cost savings are proving substantial and the emission reductions are gratifying.
"We are thrilled to receive this award and it is acknowledgement of the hard work of the TRY team, along with many right across our community."
The Bushfire Foundation is a charity organisation, which helps residents to complete vegetation management works that focus on reducing, or eliminating the hazards and risks associated with a bushfire.
CEO Nathan Rogers said the programs are aimed primarily at assisting residents who may be in financial hardship, people with a disability, those with physical difficulties from long or short-term injuries and concession card holders and single parents.
In the past three years, assistance has been given to more than 30 homes, including gutter cleaning and cleaning, tree and shrub trimming and removal, grass and vegetation management.
"We will be expanding over the next three to five years with another program we have planned and aim to use this program to be able to assist a greater range of communities throughout Australia," he said.
"The works and the people we help through the program are designed to offer assistance to residents in the community that are unable to prepare their own homes."
Each winner received $1000 for their organisation.
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