Howlong’s Wayne Lamb was named 2025 Federation Council Citizen of the Year pictured with Australia Day Ambassador David Bitton.
Howlong’s Wayne Lamb was named 2025 Federation Council Citizen of the Year, Daniel Hateley the Young Citizen of the Year and the best Community Group award went to Howlong Local Thrifty Store.
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“We have 18 amazing individual and group nominees, including several exceptional representatives from our very own Howlong,” Federation Council Mayor Cheryl Cook told the big, estimated 370-strong crowd at Australia Day celebrations, at Lowe Square Oval Howlong last Sunday.
The happy Community Award winner, Howlong Local Thrifty Store with Australia Day Ambassador David Bitton.
“Today we celebrate our people, the people of Federation Council who go above and beyond in their respective areas to ensure our communities thrive and grow.
“Our nominees here today are very special people, whose donation of time and effort warrants this type of special celebration.”
With his project ‘Cans for Cancer’, Wayne Lamb has raised over $55,000 to date for the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre. The centre has erected a plaque to honour his contributions.
Wayne edged out Howlong Historical Society vice president, and active member of the town’s Rural Fire Service and RSL, Alan Panther.
Pictured with their awards and with Federation Council Mayor Cheryl Cook, State Member for Albury Justin Clancy and (in front) Australia Day Ambassador David Bitton were Peter Ornsby (Mulwala), Janet Rogers (Howlong Local Thrifty Store), Zoe Allen (Howlong), Elizabeth Kerr (Oaklands) Oaklands Cricket Club’s Phillip Goldsack, Corowa’s Daniel Hateley, Wayne Lamb of Howlong; in front, Oaklands Cricket Club’s Ebony Goldsack, Dayna Carter, Oaklands. Photo Colin Strauss Photography.
“Both are long-term volunteers, strong pillars of the Howlong community and who have an unwavering commitment to making a difference in Federation,” Mayor Cook said.
Corowa’s Daniel Hateley, 27, is a dedicated mental health advocate and an inspiring young community leader who has raised over $27,000 for the Black Dog Institute.
A special award was presented to young Dayna Carter for her inspiring work with various organisations in Oaklands and as an ambassador to Miki City Japan.
Howlong Local Thrifty Store topped the list of nine for the community award. A vital pillar in the community, it provides essential financial support to individuals and non-profit organisations toward achievement of their goals.
All award recipients (see list at foot of story) were selfless in their acceptance speeches. For example, Elizabeth Kerr from Oaklands said: “I love our town. I’ve lived here all my life. You get out what you put in.”
Federation Council’s Australia Day Ambassador David Bitton delivered an inspirational address speaking about his amazing life experiences in the culinary industry. Mr Bitton's story began on Anzac Day in 1991, when he arrived in Australia from France with just two suitcases and $1,000.
Seeking opportunity and adventure, he found a country that welcomed him with open arms and a deep-rooted spirit of ‘a fair go’.
His culinary journey started in some of Australia’s most prestigious establishments, including the Ritz Carlton, Hayman Island, and Windsor Hotel, eventually becoming Head Chef at the Sheraton on the Park.
Along the way, he had the privilege of cooking for royalty, premiers, and international icons such as Janet Jackson, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Sir Roger Moore.
It was during this time that the now 57-year-old met his wife and business partner, Sohani, who has been by his side for over 34 years.
In 2000, David and Sohani took a leap of faith, leaving behind their high-paying roles to open a humble 20-seater coffee shop in Alexandria, then an unknown part of Sydney.
What began as a small dream has since flourished into a thriving enterprise, Bitton, encompassing two restaurants, a nationally distributed gourmet product range, and a consulting arm.
Another special guest, State Member for Albury Justin Clancy loves the Federation Council area. After attending Federation Dinner (The Tim Fischer AC Oration on Friday January 24), he stopped in Howlong to admire the war memorial lighting at Lowe Square.
“Howlong is something special, a place of community,” he said.
“We are a people of generosity – reaching out, receiving a fair go. When people have a go, that’s when our prosperity comes to fruition.”
Mayor Cook said: “Each year, Australia Day provides us with a day to reflect on what it means to be Australian, to celebrate contemporary Australia and to acknowledge our history.
“On Australia Day we celebrate all the things we love about Australia; land, sense of fair go, lifestyle, democracy, the freedoms we enjoy, and particularly our people.”
Master of Ceremonies at Howlong and delivering a warm approaching 30 degrees temperature at 10.00am welcome to all was given by Federation Council’s General Manager Adrian Butler.
“On Australia Day, we come together as a nation to celebrate what is great about living in this country and what we love about being Australian,” he said.
Residents, friends, family and visitors came together last Sunday in Howlong to celebrate just that – all 370.
Attendees were treated to a breathtaking rendition of ‘I Am Australian’ by the six-member Swag n’ Billy Bush Band including three Howlong residents John and Annette Morey, and Michelle Matthews.
Attendees then enjoyed a complimentary lunch, catered for by the Howlong Community Progress Association.
2025 Australia Day Awards
Local Hero Award - Sports Local Hero Award - Sports Nominees: Ian Bilney, Zoe Owen, Howlong Football Netball Club and Oaklands Cricket Club. Winners of the Local Hero Award - Sports: Zoe Owen and Oaklands Cricket Club.
Local Hero Award - Individual Local Hero Award - Individual Nominees: Alan Panther, Cathie Sutcliffe, Daniel Hateley, Dayna Carter, Elizabeth Kerr, Peter Ornsby and Wayne Lamb. Winners of the Local Hero Award for Individuals: Cathie Sutcliffe, Elizabeth Kerr and Peter Ornsby.
Local Hero Award - Community Group Local Hero Award - Community Group Nominees: Corowa District Historical Society, Howlong Fun & Fitness for over 50’s, Howlong Football Netball Club, Howlong Local Thrifty Store, Howlong Playgroup, Howlong Rural Fire Brigade, Lions Club of Corowa, Oaklands Cricket Club and Urana Progress Association. Winner of the Local Hero Award - Community Group: Howlong Local Thrifty Store.
Young Citizen of the Year Award Young Citizen of the Year Award Nominees: Daniel Hateley and Dayna Carter. Winner of the Young Citizen of the Year Award: Daniel Hateley.
Special Award Winner of the Special Judges Award - Inspirational Young Person: Dayna Carter.
Citizen of the Year Award Citizen of the Year Award Nominees: Alan Panther and Wayne Lamb. Winner of the Citizen of the Year Award: Wayne Lamb.
Student Achievement Award winners from all schools in Federation Council area were announced by Mayor Cheryl Cook.
2025 Student Achievement Awards:
● Boree Creek Public School: Leilani Foster and Jason Shields. ● Corowa High School: Ella Webb and Franklin Murray-Wright. ● Corowa Public School: Jagger Doody and Jackson Barber. ● Corowa South Public School: Mia Rolton and Maci Fenn. ● Howlong Public School: Heidi Reid and Patrick Conroy. ● Mulwala Public School: Nevaeh Rosmulder and Nancy Thomas. ● Oaklands Central School: Declan Carter and Matthew Sandral. ● Rand Public School: Fletcher Anderson and Ivy Kreutzberger. ● St. Mary’s Primary School: Nicholas Murphy and Pippa Thomas. ● Urana Public School: Alexis Finch and Max Fealy.
