Because of the way the award presentation speeches are written, building suspense and having people try to guess who  the winners are, minds tend to focus on the last statements which are the ‘give-away’.  Make no mistake, the awards are based on more than this district’s dramatic start to 2011.

(Sorry, but space constraints necessitatd brevity.  Doreen.)

SPECIAL COMMUNITY AWARDS

- Ken Robinson and Troy Nowitzki

Our two local police officers, Ken and Troy, are truly concerned for the safety and well-being of members of this community.  They are two “country style” Police Officers who understand the “heart beat” of a rural life, offering their support and assistance in both an on and off-duty capacity.
The Dayboro Police Charity Fund’s Trivia Nights have provided riotous entertainment, bringing people together in  social gatherings, helping to raise funds.  Bonny’s deck was their first project and young Bonny can now easily get in and out of the pool provided by the Make A Wish Foundation.
Visits to schools and some families with sick children by these “boys in blue” - and other local Emergency Service workers and volunteers that were ‘roped in’ - has helped to cement a bond of trust with the children and their families.  
The big Community Notice Board in the Police yard is a boon to this community, helping to get information across - sometimes at very short notice, unable to wait for the ’papers.  
This year’s January 11 flooding saw flu-congested Troy trudging through the floodwaters, coordinating the necessary assistance, with Ken working on the Kobble Creek side of the floodwaters, where circumstances had positioned him.
Congratulations to Ken Robinson and Troy Nowitzki!

RESIDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD

- PAUL INGLIS

Much has already been written in the ‘Grapevine’ about Paul - I refer you to our May edition (pages 21 and 22) where Paul was the recipient of the Pine Rivers Combined Services Community Service Award.  (You can check it out online at www.dayborograpevine.com.au - simply type in ‘Paul Inglis’, select ‘exact phrase’ from the prompt and the May 2011 edition’s article should be near the top of the list.)
Although only becoming our Uniting Church Minister for Dayboro and Mt Mee in 2001, Paul, together with his supportive wife Robyn, has been working tirelessly for our community, contributing enormously to our district .
Recognizing the supportiveness already inherent in our community, Paul sought to build on this and envisaged a more coordinated approach with ALL churches in the district being able to respond to the Pastoral needs of everyone who needed care - regardless of their religious beliefs or affiliations.  We now have a very effective welfare program providing relief for families and individuals in the area.
Who remembers back to the night-time house fire at Ocean View that saw a family escape with just their lives and what they had worn to bed?  Paul quickly sourced help for this family, including from outside our community in the form of vouchers from major stores?  These types of events happen without warning and the assistance needs to begin quickly.
So it was with the McKavanagh family in early January who were hit with a double whammy.  Fire destroyed their home, to be followed a week later by the January 11 flooding, which further damaged their farm and caused livestock losses!!
The very successful Fire & Flood Appeal is still fresh in our minds and Paul quickly focuses attention on the fact that this was a community effort and praises the committee that came together to organize it.  
Congratulations Paul Inglis.

BUSINESS RECOGNITION AWARD

- BOWLAK BOBCAT & TIPPER HIRE

Glen and Karrie Lake have always supported the Dayboro community with ready assistance for our various clubs and organizations, helping to make the job as easy as possible for the volunteers, without compromising on quality.  
Whether or not you have used the services of Bowlak Bobcat & Tipper Hire directly, you have most likely enjoyed the benefits of the work they have performed e.g. Dayboro Showgrounds.  Their generous nature ensured that the new Rodeo Arena was ready for this year’s Rodeo on May 1st.
Local people who own horses are most appreciative of his compassion when they have to say goodbye to their equine companion.  Glen gently buries people’s horses and cattle, which helps them deal with their sorrow at that time.  Often this task is tacked onto the beginning or end of an already full working day.
Matter-of-factly doing what needs to be done and moving on is evidenced by his and his neighbours’ actions in 2009 when they rescued 2 people stranded in the middle of a suddenly flooded creek.  Glen Lake, Ian Weise and Ian’s son Brendan Weise, received Bravery Awards for their efforts but pass it off as “we were just local blokes there to help out”.  (To see the full story on this go to www.thewesterner.com.au and type “Bravery Awards” in the search box.  March 24 2011edition.)
Congratulations Glen and Karrie Lake of Bowlak Bobcat & Tipper Hire.