Congratulations to our 2025 Australia Day Award winners

Published on 28 January 2025

Mount Alexander Shire Council is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Australia Day Awards.

The awards were presented at the Australia Day – Survival Day community event in Castlemaine on Sunday 26 January.

Congratulations to the 2025 winners:

Citizen of the Year – Rachel Stewart
Young Citizen of the Year – Thea Sydes
Senior Citizen of the Year – Trish Bowles
Event of the Year – Castlemaine Idyll 2024

“Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for everything they do for our community,” said Mayor Rosie Annear.

“Your hard work, dedication and generosity does not go unnoticed. We see the ways you’re making our community an even better place to live, and we’re very lucky to have such passionate and caring people living amongst us.”

Along with the presentation of the Australia Day Awards, eight people took the pledge to become Australian citizens.

“Congratulations and welcome to everyone who became an Australian citizen today,” said Mayor Annear.

“We’re so pleased to have you here in Mount Alexander Shire and hope you feel welcomed and celebrated as new citizens.

Australia Day Award winners

Citizen of the Year – Rachel Stewart

Rachel Stewart is a founding member of the ELM (Every Life Matters) Network, a suicide prevention and awareness group established in 2016. She currently runs the organisation by herself and facilitates the ELM Peer Support Group.

She was also the driving force behind Castlemaine Safe Space, a community-led, inclusive and comfortable sanctuary.

Rachel provides a listening ear to anyone in need, and exhibits extreme empathy and sensitivity to everyone she comes in contact with.

She also emotionally and financially supports refugees and individuals with mental health issues.

She trained as a psychologist later in life, and recently completed for client practice, professional development and supervision hours to become a clinical psychologist.

Rachel has a unique way of engaging with people, and always follows up and checks in. Her genuine care, respect and advocacy for the dignity and wellbeing of others comes from lived experience.

Young Citizen of the Year – Thea Sydes

Thea has made an exceptional impact on the Mount Alexander Shire community through their contributions to the arts, volunteer work and leadership in local youth initiatives.

They have been an active and engaged member of Council’s FReeZA Committee and Youth Advisory Group for a number of years. Here, they provide valuable input towards Council decisions, work to identify issues affecting young people and contribute to the development of local youth projects.

They have shown remarkable leadership across a broad range of artistic and community initiatives. They have helped organise and deliver numerous events for young people, including live music performances and exhibitions. They have provided local youth artists with the opportunities to showcase and sell their work as the Manager of the Young Makers Market. They are also a multi-talented artist with accomplishments in dance, theatre, visual arts, animation and design.

Thea has demonstrated excellence through their commitment to artistic growth, leadership and community service. They spend an impressive 20 hours a week (outside school) on training, rehearsal, volunteering and creating art.

Their combination of artistic excellence and community leadership demonstrates a remarkable level of achievement and passion.

Senior Citizen of the Year – Trish Bowles

Trish has spent 40 years assisting disadvantaged community members through her work with St Vincent de Paul Society.

She has also taken up transportation, catering and other community-centred works roles in the shire.

Trish retired three years ago but still helps St Vincent de Paul Society with transportation.

Event of the Year – Castlemaine Idyll 2024

Castlemaine Idyll is a local singing competition that has been running for 16 years. The annual, family-friendly event raises money for Lot 19, a not-for-profit community arts hub.

The team behind Castlemaine Idyll have remained steadfastly committed to creating a warm, vibrant and welcoming community event.

The event provides employment to local event managers, hospitality staff, musicians and crew, as well as a wealth of volunteer opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.

Castlemaine Idyll have given over 650 people the opportunity to sing on stage in front of a supportive and enthusiastic crowd. For the past six years, the event has been broadcasted live by MainFM, so the entire community can experience the magic.

Council extends a big thank you to the community for taking part in this year’s Australia Day – Survival Day event.

The day included a moving Welcome to Country to Country by Dja Dja Wurrung Elder, Uncle Rick Nelson, a citizenship and awards ceremony, a Survival Day concert, and free catering by local businesses.

The Survival Day concert featured local and First Nations performances programmed by Uncle Rick, who was also the emcee.

Council would like to thank you to everyone who performed:

• Nalderun Women’s Cleansing Ceremony
• Peace Choir
• Mambanegra Drumming
• Culture Evolves
• Tehya Makani and Jay Jarome
• Linc Yow Yeh and Nick Larkins
• Uncle Kutcha Edwards and Friends

Council would also like to thank the Castlemaine Highland Pipe Band for their beautiful performance to begin the day, as well as the local businesses and community groups who provided catering:

• Konjo Mama
• Lucha Libre Cantina
• Icecream Republic
• Castlemaine Rotary

Watch Australia Day – Survival Day 2025

The event was livestreamed to YouTube on the day. Watch the recording on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/MountAlexanderShireCouncil.