With her Student Achievement Award was Mulwala Public School’s Nevaeh Rosmulder, who was pictured with her Mum Michelle and Federation Council Mayor Cheryl Cook. Student Nancy Thomas was also recognised but she was absent from the Australia Day celebrations in Howlong.
Long-time wide ranging volunteer Mulwala’s Peter Ornsby received a Local Hero award at Federation Council’s Australia Day ceremony in Howlong last Sunday.
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As the vice president of the Yarrawonga Lions Club, Mr Ornsby actively participates in fund raising activities in Mulwala and Yarrawonga.
You’ll see him volunteering at K-hub BBQ on the weekends, at the entrance gates at Mulwala Football Netball Club as he has for 20 years, at Meals on Wheels, performing a leading role at Foodshare and helping out at Tunzafun.
With award-winning residents throughout the Federation Council, Mulwala’s Peter Ornsby, with his Local Hero Award is back row at left; also included are Mayor Cheryl Cook and State Member for Albury Justin Clancy, and in front Australia Day Ambassador David Bitton.
His recent involvement with Friends in Common – an organisation he turned to during his own battle with cancer reflects his dedication to giving back and supporting fellow patients.
It was a selfless acceptance speech by Peter. “Everyone who puts into the town is a winner,” he said.
“We have 18 amazing individual and group nominees,” Federation Council Mayor Cheryl Cook told the big, estimated 370-strong crowd at Australia Day celebrations, at Lowe Square Oval in Howlong.
“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.”
Howlong’s Wayne Lamb was named 2025 Federation Council Citizen of the Year. With his project ‘Cans for Cancer’, he has raised over $55,000 to date for the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre. The centre has erected a plaque to honour his contributions.
Daniel Hateley, 27, is the Young Citizen of the Year. He 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.
The best Community Group award went to Howlong Local Thrifty Store. A vital pillar in the community, it provides essential financial support to individuals and non-profit organisations toward achievement of their goals.
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.
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 near 30 degrees temperature at 10.00am a warm welcome to all given was 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.
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