Local residents Judy Harrison and Ian Stones from the Rutherglen Historic Reserve Committee and Graham Steed from the Barkly Park Committee were recognised for their work by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).
Rutherglen Historic Society’s Judy Harrison has been a member of the committee since 1997, many of those years as Secretary.
Ms Harrison has provided many opportunities to raise funds to implement improvements and repairs.
Events such as cake and plant stalls and catering for town events. She has been the main mover and shaker for these events.
Ian Stones has been a member of the committee since it first formed in the mid-1970s working with the Rutherglen Historical Society to turn a derelict building into a museum. Ian has been a constant worker undertaking many minor repairs of which there is an unending list. He is due to take retirement however Judy has persuaded him to hang on a bit longer to celebrate the building being 150 years old.
Graham Steed has been a fundamental part of the Barkly Park Committee, serving as chairman for almost 20 years until resigning in 2021.
He continues to provide the committee with advice and mentoring.
Mr Steed was instrumental in achieving many improvements throughout the park including securing grants for a new netball court, change rooms, cricket nets and much more.
He has been the main driver for the installation of solar panels on the building. He took on an extra role as part of the Totally Renewable Indigo North committee. Graham has raised tens of thousands of dollars through community events such as BBQs.
DELWP Hume Regional Director Clare Kiely congratulated those recognised last week.
“Some of our region’s most loved spots are managed by volunteers, putting in their time and energy to look after areas of important biodiversity and recreational value for local communities,” she said.
“A big thanks to everybody involved in committees of management. Whether it’s your first time on a committee, or you’ve been a member for many years, DELWP and the community greatly values your skills, experience, knowledge and the time you devote to being a committee member.
“We’re thrilled to acknowledge and support these groups for the work they do to preserve and protect our state’s precious natural assets.”