Australia Day
Nominations for the 2025 Australia Day Awards are officially open. This is your chance to shine a spotlight on the incredible individuals and groups who make our community special. Let’s celebrate their outstanding contributions!
Award Categories:
Citizen of the Year
Young Citizen of the Year
Community Group of the Year
Environmental Award
Community Group Nomination Form
Environmental Award Nomination Form
Citizen-Young Citizen Nomination Form
Nominations Close: Friday, 6th December
2024 Winners
Citizen of the Year – Alan Bowers
Alan Bowers is nominated for years of service to the community through the Collie Volunteer Fire & Rescue Service, the Allanson Bush Fire Brigade, the Collie Lions Club, Retired Mineworkers Association, Collie-Cardiff RSL and the Cheerio Club. He has been helping out at the Cheerio Club’s Christmas Seniors Dinner for more than 60 years, decorating, cleaning, assisting in the kitchen and the bar. He was a member of the Collie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, and spent four years as foreman (deputy captain) and three as captain. His service with the Allanson Bush Fire Brigade measures 20 years. He is still a member, but is not on active duty due to injury and ill health. As a member of Collie Lions he was responsible for the design and construction of Thomas the Tank Engine which was part of the pageant parade and gave great joy to young onlookers. As a retired miner, he is an active member of their association, and has worked on the memorial park pony display, the refurbishment of Wallsend Mine, and recently stopped water getting into the old underground mine at Stockton Open Cut. His 30-year membership of Collie-Cardiff RSL includes helping with hot mixing the car park, taking over restoration of the World War II Scout Car (working on it for 300 hours) then driving it in the Anzac Day parade and Christmas Pageant. He designed and manufactured the Lest We Forget sign for the RSL Garden Wall, and did the signage around the flagpole. He has been barman at the RSL for four years and helps to maintain the building. He also completes odd jobs for local pensioners in need.
Young Citizen of the Year – Ebony Whitney
Ebony Whitney is nominated for the Young Citizen award for her community service while studying in preparation for university studies. In 2020, Ebony attended the Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment, which focuses on developing skills in teamwork, goal setting and problem solving. In 2021, she attended Zero to Hero, a week long camp to support young people to become mental health peer support advocates. She was selected for the Premier’s Anzac Tour in 2023, travelling to New Zealand with a stopover in Sydney, learning much about the efforts of the Anzacs in the Great War. She was then chosen to attend Magic Moments, a programme supported by the Bendigo Bank (Collie Community Bank) for youth from all around Australia, designed to empower young people to be confident, to give them skills and confidence to engage with the wider community. Ebony is returning to this camp in 2024 to act as a mentor. She has made presentations about these experiences to various community groups, and is very passionate in supporting other students to attend these events. She is very passionate about justice, and is pursuing law with the view to becoming active in youth politics. Ebony has represented her school in debating and sports including hockey and cross country. She is a talented musician and was in the school band for the Queen’s Cup Music competition and the Bunbury Musical Eisteddfod. She was a student councillor from 2018 to 2022, and was voted in as School Captain in 2023, winning the school community award and being named dux of the school. She has been working at the Collie Visitor Centre where staff found her to be respectful, caring and considerate of others, a very quick learner, not afraid to use her initiative and advocate for all Collie has to offer visitors.
Community Group of the Year – The Rotary Club of Collie
The Rotary Club of Collie The Rotary Club of Collie is nominated for its outstanding contributions to the community this year, particularly to its support of youth mental health thanks to massive fundraising efforts, with the total funds distributed in 2023 being $31,890. Funds went to: Youth Suicide Prevention; Adventure Connections; Wilson Park Primary P & C; Amaroo Primary School; Fairview Primary School; Wilson Park Primary School; and Collie Senior High School. Other projects to benefit from the Rotary Club were the Festive Arty Bystander Project; Youth Care in Collie; St Brigid’s Christmas meal; the launch of new premises for 101.3fm; the Men’s Shed; Collie Senior High School leadership group and CSHS Top of Year 10 and Top of Year 11 awards. Also helped were Shelterbox relief in disaster areas; Gail Michael’s Fremantle project to provide reusable sanitary products in Africa; and a wood shed for the Collie Art Gallery. The club provided volunteers to assist with the 25th anniversary of the Bibbulmun Track dinner at the Minningup rowing shed; the Bulldust to Bush Rally; Collie Show gates; the annual Collie road clean-up; the Volunteer in Collie projects; and the Collie Rotary calendar.
Sporting Scholarships
Sporting Scholarship Request Form
Assistance can be provided as a sporting scholarship of $250 for an individual or up to $500 where 3 or more residents are selected in a Western Australian State or Australian National representative team.
Sports Awards
Shire of Collie Sports Awards 2024
Nominations Open!
All Shire of Collie residents are eligible for nomination. We encourage nominations from all clubs, residents and players who wish to acknowledge and celebrate their achievements and contributions.
- JL Mumme sportsperson of the year
- Junior sportsperson of the year
- Special achievement award
- Robinson-Hannan volunteer of the year
- Wall of Champions
Nominations close: 4pm Friday the 18th of October 2024. Follow the links below to nominate for an award or download a PDF copy.
Robinson Hannan Volunteer of the Year Award
PDF Forms:
Sportsperson of the Year Nomination 2024
Special Achievement Nomination 2024
Junior Sportsperson of the Year Nomination 2024
Volunteer of the Year Nomination 2024
On Friday 17th November, we celebrated sport in Collie at the Annual Sports Awards. Congratulations to all those who were nominated.
2023 Award Winners were:
Shire of Collie Sportsperson of the Year – Jon Dyas, Clay Target Shooting.
Shire of Collie Junior Sportsperson of the Year – Milla Harker, Basketball & Netball
Robinson Hannan Volunteer of the Year – Shane Sewell
We also had the pleasure of inducting Helena Giblett and Evan Strudwick to the Shire of Collie Wall of Champions.
Helena Giblett
Helena’s sporting journey is a testament to her extraordinary talent and dedication across various disciplines. Born with a competitive spirit, she emerged as a dominant force in BMX racing, leaving an indelible mark in the world of sports. Her BMX prowess was evident early on, becoming the standout racer in her age group. Representing Australia as part of a three-person team competing globally, Helena showcased unparalleled skill, remaining undefeated through all heats. The team secured a commendable second place worldwide in America and clinched the top spot in the World Team Championships in Queensland, Australia. Amassing numerous awards, Helena claimed four Australian titles alongside numerous minor placings, solidifying her status as a BMX legend. Her influence extended beyond victories, earning international recognition as an exemplary ambassador for both Australia and Western Australia. Helena’s journey in BMX was marked by notable sponsorships, notably as a factory Crisp rider from 1988 to 1991 and later as a factory Peddle Power rider until 1995. She achieved a remarkable feat by attaining ten consecutive first-place finishes with Daniel Sprague in solo races, showcasing her unparalleled dominance.
Her accomplishments weren’t confined to BMX alone. In the realm of Little Athletics, Helena displayed her versatility by winning the State 400-meter title in 1991 and securing State titles in the 200-meter and 400-meter categories. Acknowledged for her excellence, Helena’s achievements were celebrated through nominations and awards. She was nominated for the prestigious Coca Cola Western Australian Junior Sports Star Award by WA BMX in 1988/89 and claimed the Collie Sports Star of the Year award in 1989. Furthermore, her consistent triumphs led her to clinch four King and Queen titles in BMX in Western Australia. Her athletic prowess extended to other domains; she excelled in Little Athletics, amassing gold medals and securing the Collie Senior High School championship in each year of her age group. Additionally, her versatility shone through as she contributed to successful netball teams in Collie and Perth, culminating in a premiership win in 1992. Helena’s legacy remains embedded in the annals of Australian sports history. Her unparalleled achievements across multiple sports disciplines and her unwavering dedication continue to inspire aspiring athletes, leaving an indelible mark on the world of sports.
Evan Strudwick
Evan Strudwick’s illustrious cycling career is a testament to his enduring passion and remarkable achievements on both state and national fronts, leaving an indelible mark in the annals of cycling history. His early foray into competitive cycling commenced in 1960, marking his debut at the State level with a commendable third-place finish in the State Schoolboys’ road race. Demonstrating exceptional prowess, he soared to prominence over the next three years, showcasing his mastery at the State track level. In 1961, he triumphed in the one and five-mile events, followed by victories in the sprint and five-mile events in 1962. The following year, he reaffirmed his dominance by clinching victories once again in the one and five-mile events in 1963. Evan’s talents transcended the State boundaries, as evidenced by his stellar performances at the National level. His early success included a third-place finish in the
schoolboys’ road event in 1960. The following years saw him ascend further, securing notable placements such as second in the junior teams’ pursuit and a fourth-place finish in the junior sprint in 1962. His crowning achievement came in 1963 when he claimed his first National title in the junior one-mile track event, solidifying his status as a rising
star in Australian cycling.
Acknowledging his outstanding talent, Evan was honoured with the prestigious Mockridge Medal, a highly esteemed Australia-wide award recognizing exceptional junior cyclists. Following an eight-year hiatus from competitive cycling, Evan defied the odds by returning to the sport in 1972 at the age of 28, achieving a remarkable feat by winning
the Westral race. Cycling commentators hailed this comeback as a rarity, noting the formidable challenge of making a successful return after such a prolonged break. Transitioning into veterans’ ranks, Evan continued to exhibit his passion for cycling. In 1981, he claimed the country roads championship at Esperance, further cementing his legacy in the sport. His dedication and skill were further exemplified by his selection in the WA road country team in 1980/81 and ’83, culminating in a triumphant victory in the 1983 46km veterans’ race. Despite the passage of time, Evan Strudwick’s enduring love for cycling persists. He remains an ardent supporter of the sport, continuing to contribute to and nurture the next generation.