Council recognises local heroes

Published on 21 May 2026

This week, Glenelg Shire Council honoured the contribution that volunteers make to our communities with a series of events marking National Volunteer Week.

Volunteer Recognition Receptions were held from the 18 – 21 May in Heywood, Portland, Casterton and Nelson. These events are an annual celebration to pay reflection to local volunteers, the unsung local heroes, and their significant contribution to the Glenelg Shire.

The events were also a chance to pay tribute to some outstanding local achievers, with the official presentations of the 2026 Glenelg Shire Community Awards.

Glenelg Shire Mayor Karen Stephens paid tribute to the award winners.

“It is fitting that we present these awards during National Volunteer Week because these recipients have gone above and beyond for the community, and have generously volunteered their time doing so,” she said.

“These recipients reflect that and I congratulate them on their awards but also what they have done for their communities.”

Full details of award winners are as below:

ARTS AND CULTURE AWARD – Saige Bell

Saige Bell, a proud Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta young woman, is an emerging creative leader whose work is making a significant and lasting impact across the Glenelg Shire community and beyond.

At just 18 years old, she has designed numerous sporting guernseys, netball dresses and school uniforms for local clubs and schools, embedding cultural stories that promote pride, unity, and belonging. One of Saige’s most significant achievements is being selected as the artist to design the official logo for the Aboriginal Justice Caucus (AJC), a coalition of Aboriginal leaders and organisations under the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement. The logo is now used across statewide platforms including official communications, reports, and public materials—demonstrating the far-reaching impact of her work.

Through her art, mentorship, and cultural advocacy, she continues to inspire young people, promote reconciliation, and contribute meaningfully to the Glenelg Shire community.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Braydon Saunders

Braydon Saunders is a proud Gunditjmara/Buandig/Waddawurrung man whose leadership, cultural knowledge, and dedication to community have made a significant and lasting impact.

As the founder of Black Swan Cultural Tours, Braydon has created a platform that shares culture in authentic and meaningful ways. His work also creates pathways for sustainable employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal youth, while building understanding within the wider community.

In addition to his professional and cultural leadership, Braydon has shown a strong commitment to grassroots community sport, coordinating the Auskick program and taking on leadership opportunities within the Heywood Football Netball Club.

His contributions have been formally recognised through significant achievements, including being named the 2025 Ricci Marks Award winner and Implementing Aboriginal Self-Determination Award at the Multicultural Youth Awards.

Braydon’s vision for the future includes expanding his cultural tourism business, creating more employment opportunities for Indigenous youth, growing youth-focused initiatives, and continuing to mentor the next generation of leaders.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Robyn Nunn

Robyn’s outstanding commitment of approximately 56 yrs to the Tyrendarra Pastoral and Agricultural Society Inc. is certainly an achievement to be celebrated.

From the tender age of 11, Robyn became a steward at the Tyrendarra Show, and this commitment has continued since.

Through her excellent ability to communicate and strong organisational skills, Robyn has a key role to successfully pull the Tyrendarra Show together. With a positive mind, Robyn has helped ensure the Show remains a major annual event for the local community.

COMMUNITY GROUP OF THE YEAR –Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal Organising Committee Casterton

In 2025, the Casterton Branch of the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal celebrated 80 years of fundraising for the Appeal, the longest serving appeal committee in Victoria.

The Committee has raised over $500,000 in donations from the Casterton, Sanford, Bahgallah and Wando Vales communities. In 2026, the Committee's efforts coordinated a record donation to the Good Friday Appeal of over $30,000; well up from the previous best.

Each year on Good Friday, the Casterton Committee manages as many as 16 collection teams who are all assigned specific areas for door knocking and street collections. However, fundraising for the Committee is not confined to collections on Good Friday. Businesses and schools in the community hold various events in the lead up to the Appeal and all funds raised are forwarded onto the Committee.

Year after year, they willingly give their time and their expertise to such a worthwhile cause that is focussed on the care and treatment of children who have had a challenging start to life.

YOUTH CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Jaylan Tomlin

Jaylan Tomlin is an exceptional young leader whose contribution to the Glenelg Shire community is remarkable not only for its impact, but also for his age.

At just 17 years old, Jaylan is already making a significant difference through his leadership, service, and dedication to surf lifesaving. Jaylan joined Portland Surf Life Saving Club in November 2021 as a 13-year-old cadet, and since then his involvement has grown steadily each and every season. During peak summer, Jaylan volunteers at least 10 hours each week, and in the off-season he continues working behind the scenes on initiatives, skilling up and supporting training and development pathways for other members.

Beyond qualifications, Jaylan has demonstrated strong leadership across multiple roles within the club. He served as Junior Club Captain in the 2023/24 season, Vice Club Captain in 2024/25, and is currently serving as Club Captain for the 2025/26 season.

His excellence has also been recognised at a national level through his selection to represent Victoria on the Surf Life Saving Australia Youth Working Group, a national leadership group made up of young representatives from each state along with champion junior lifesavers.

SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Helena Lucas

Helena has brought immense joy and connection to many in the Portland community through her line dancing classes. From her weekly sessions to organising larger-scale events, the presence of line dancing in Portland and the surrounding areas has grown significantly under her guidance, passion and leadership.

Her work is particularly valuable given the vulnerable cohort who attend her sessions, including many older and socially isolated community members. However, Helena’s impact is truly multigenerational, with people of all ages coming together to share in the enjoyment and sense of community that line dancing provides.

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – Bruce Elijah

This Award recognises Bruce’s extraordinary resilience and longstanding commitment to grassroots sport in Portland.

His name is synonymous with junior sporting development, shaped through his extensive experience coaching and mentoring generations of young players in tennis, along with his active involvement in local junior football clubs and the Portland Basketball Association.

Bruce’s passion is driven by a genuine desire to see young people develop their skills and experience the joy and benefits of sport.

Beyond the sporting arena, Bruce is also a dedicated advocate for small business through Elijah’s Sportspower and has become an unofficial champion for the importance and value of supporting local suppliers.