Sunbury dominates Australia Day 2020 awards, Tracie Oldham and Sue Buckman honoured
Two tireless community advocates are among Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges’ Australia Day award recipients. But both women say they’re not in it for the recognition.
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Two hardworking Sunbury women are leading the way at Hume’s Australia Day Citizens of the Year awards.
Tracie Oldham and Sue Buckman were named joint Citizens of the Year at the council’s Australia Day awards on Sunday.
Ms Oldham, a tireless community advocate, has leading survivors groups, Just4Causes, and All LGBTQIA+ Matter.
“I still don’t feel worthy and it’s very humbling,” she said.
“You spend your whole life doing community service and not once is it for praise or recognition.”
After losing her 19-year-old son Stephen to sudden cardiac arrest in 2010, Ms Buckman has worked towards ensuring public access to defibrillators across the country.
“Sunbury is quite a close-knit community,” she said.
“To be recognised for what we do in the local community is really heartwarming.”
Since starting in 2010, Defib For Life has installed more than 3500 defibrillators in businesses and public spaces.
Sunbury Anzac Day dawn service was named the 2020 Community Event of the Year.
Volunteers and community advocates were also honoured in the Macedon Ranges.
Sustainability advocate and driving force behind the Macedon Ranges Sustainability group Lisa Richards was named the Macedon Ranges Citizen of the Year.
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Ms Richards ran the Wash Against Waste at the Sustainable Living Festival, worked with the council to perform rubbish audits and worked with groups and organisations across the region to help reduce their waste.
“I initially got more involved because I wanted to be more impactful around issues of waste, recycling and litter,” she said.
“Our group’s main objective is trying to support the community to understand waste and waste management a little better.”
Georgie Garvey-Hawke was named Young Citizen of the Year for her endless community engagement and volunteering, while Newham CFA volunteer and aged care volunteer Neil Pomroy won the community achievement award.