QUAMBATOOK is in the spotlight after two residents of the small town claimed the shire’s 2020 Australia Day citizen awards at a civic reception on Wednesday night.
Quambatook Tractor Pullers Association and Heritage Working Machinery Association founding member Leo Parker was announced as Citizen of the Year at the event, with 22-year-old Mitchell Gross recognised as Young Citizen of the Year.
Mr Parker has been involved with many of Quambatook’s community groups and organisations since the mid-1970s, including the fire brigade, scouts group, Co-operating Church and Quambatook and Towaninny cemetery trusts, which he currently oversees as committee president.
He has also been a flood warden for the town and remembers as a highlight working to protect the community during the 2011 floods.
“We had to save the town with a 2m high levee from a flood that no-one had seen in living memory,” he said.
“They worked day and night with front-end loaders.
“There would’ve been water in or under every house in town if we hadn’t succeeded.”
Mr Parker said the tractor pull had been inspired by similar events in the United States.
“We wanted something that no-one else had that would bring people into the town, and it has done that over 40 years,” he said.
Gannawarra Shire Council’s 2020 Young Citizen of the Year, Mitchell Gross, had no idea that he had won the award and arrived late to the ceremony.
He said he had been shocked to receive a letter informing him he had been nominated for the recognition and was even more so when he won it.
“I was pretty honoured but mainly shocked,” the young farmer said.
Mr Gross has been helping out in the Quambatook community in a variety of ways.
A Fire Brigade member and cemetery volunteer who waters lawns and helps dig graves, Mr Gross also assists elderly residents in the area by providing firewood and doing ad hoc house and car repairs.
Every year he works with his neighbour, Bob Wilson, to put up an impressive Christmas light display.
Both men were matter-of-fact about their contribution to the community.
“We both just do our bit for the town,” Mr Parker said.
“I suppose I like to help other people and it’s always good at the end of the day to see that they’re happy,” Mr Gross said.
Gannawarra Shire mayor Cr Lorraine Learmonth said the choice of the Citizen of the Year had been a difficult one with a very strong field of nominees for the award.
The nominees were: veterans’ advocate Shane Mostyn; men’s mental health advocate and Gannawarra Toy Run organiser John Webb; Kerang RSL president Robert Hampton; Kerang men’s shed coordinator Brent ‘Harry’ Sambrooks; Kerang Fire Brigade captain Ramon Steel; Leitchville Lions Club founding member and keen community volunteer Dan Dye; and Barham-Koondrook choir organiser Angie Jones.
Mr Parker and Mr Gross will take part in Australia Day celebrations occurring around the Gannawarra shire this Sunday.
