Exceptional members of the community have been recognised at the 2020 Hume Australia Day awards.
Mayor of Hume City, Councillor Carly Moore said “It is an honour to recognise Tracie Oldham and Sue Buckman, joint winners of the 2020 Hume Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award; Young Citizen of the Year, Teagan Denny; and Community Event of the Year, the Sunbury ANZAC Day Service.
“Both our 2020 Citizens of the Year have demonstrated an unwavering dedication to the health and wellbeing of our community, drawing on their own experiences to provide vital support services and medical devices locally,” Cr Moore said.
“Tracie Oldham is a tireless advocate for mental health, raising awareness and working to alleviate the stigma and misconceptions often associated with mental illness.”
Ms Oldham’s passion to help others has had lasting results, particularly through the three support groups she leads, All Survivors of Child Abuse Matter, We Are All Survivors and All LGBTQIA+ Matter.
Sue Buckman lost her 19-year-old son Stephen, to sudden cardiac arrest in March 2010. Since her son’s death, Ms Buckman has worked towards the implementation of public access to defibrillators across the country.
“This dedication has achieved remarkable goals and many lives are being saved because this lifesaving equipment is now widely available in our community.”
Young Citizen of the Year, Teagan Denny is an active member of the Craigieburn War Memorial and Remembrance Committee who has made a significant contribution to creating and updating the social media presence of the organisation.
“Ms Denny is also a member of the Craigieburn Unit of the SES, fully trained in Road Rescue operations and volunteers her time to support the local Blue Light Disco.”
An aspiring teacher, during her gap year in 2018, Ms Denny also volunteered as a teacher’s aide at a Broadmeadows Primary School.
“This year, we also recognise the Sunbury ANZAC Day Service as the 2020 Community Event of the Year. Since its inauguration in 2015, the service has been held annually, growing in attendance and popularity.”
President Ian Goss and the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Servicemen’s Association of Australia – Sunbury Sub-Branch recognised the need for an ANZAC Dawn Service in the local community and began the service to provide residents of Sunbury and surrounding areas the opportunity to remember and acknowledge the ANZAC spirit.
“On behalf of the Hume community, I congratulate the 2020 Australia Day Award winners and thank them for their dedication and service to the community,” Cr Moore said.
