OUR TOP AUSSIES

26 January 2010

NATALIE MCGREGOR

HOWARD Templeton has been named the 2010 Southern Grampians Shire Citizen of the Year.

The shire announced the awards yesterday in the lead up to its Australia Day celebrations at the Hamilton Botanic Gardens today, starting at 10.30am.

Mayor Marcus Rentsch said it was important to recognise the important achievements of people from within the Shire.

“On behalf of the residents of the Southern Grampians Shire I would like to congratulate Howard, Conrad and all our other Australia Day Award winners,” he said.

“These winners are part of the reason as to why the Southern Grampians is such a great community to be involved in and it is fitting that they are recognised for their outstanding achievements with the presentation of an Australia Day Award.”

Conrad Hamill, who was awarded the 2010 Young Citizen of the Year, will share Mr Templeton’s honour.

Mr Templeton is a life member of the Coleraine Apex Club, chairman of the Coleraine Uniting Church, a life member of the Tahara Cricket Club and former board member and president the Coleraine and District Hospital.

After retiring from the hospital board he was awarded life governor.

He also played an integral part in the formation of the Coleraine District Liaison Committee.

Mr Templeton served as a councillor from 1996-2008 and Mayor (1998-2001) with Southern Grampians Shire Council and during this time remained actively involved in many local organisations.

“I’m a little bit nonplussed by it all. I’ve had quite a public life and it’s been my role to hand out the awards rather than to receive them,” he laughed.

“I’ve enjoyed the community service, it hasn’t been a burden at all.

“My wider family has always been involved with the community and I’ve always thought it was a practical way to be a part of your community. I’ve always needed more than just my work to keep myself interested,” he laughed.

Apart from feeling nonplussed Mr Templeton felt lucky and honoured.

“My community involvement couldn’t have been such as it was if I didn’t have the support of my family,” he said.

Young Citizen of the Year, Conrad Hamill, contributes much to the community as a 17-year-old student at The Hamilton and Alexandra College.

Mr Hamill gives musical performances to a range of community groups including The Birches, Penshurst Aged Care facility, Frances Hewett Centre, WDHS, The Grange and Probus.

He has been involved with Hamilton Brass Band, Community Orchestra and Church Hill Singers.

He teaches the cello, coach’s local basketball teams and was a finalist in the 2009 Regional Lions Youth of the Year.

He has achieved sporting success in basketball and swimming and has been named as school captain for 2010.

Mr Hamill said playing music in the community was not a chore and was honoured to receive the award.

“It’s not hard for me at all, I enjoy it a lot,” he said.

Hamilton Relay for Life was successful in the Community Event of the Year category and council’s own Community Recognition Awards were won by Eric Puls, John Lowcock, Shirley Forrest, Carmel Schlaghecke and Phil Forsyth.

Relay for Life chair Sharon Donehue said she was rapt with the recognition of the event.

“Relay for Life is a great opportunity for everyone in the community. It doesn’t matter from what walk of life you are you can come and participate in it, and it doesn’t matter from what walk of life you are, cancer can affect you,” she said.

Mayor Cr Rentsch encouraged everyone can come along to the Australia Day celebrations to acknowledge the winners and be involved in a great community day.