YMCA Cardinia LiFE staff are encouraging residents to recognise the hard work of others in the community by nominating them for a Hometown Hero award. From left: Branch manager Michelle Young, Hometown Hero nominee Kerryn Weickhardt and Health Club team leader Michael Casey. Picture: Meagan Rogers.
By Melissa Grant
THERE are many people who make the Cardinia Shire a better place to live, and now they can be officially recognised for their community-minded duties.
Nominations are now open for the YMCA Cardinia LiFE Hometown Heroes awards, a bimonthly program to reward those who contribute their time and talent to transform the place in which they live.
Good deeds come in many forms, and residents are encouraged to recommend their friends, neighbours, a clubperson or anyone else who is engaged with the local community for the award.
Kerryn Weickhardt has been nominated for the first Hometown Hero award, and residents are urged to nominate others with the winner to be announced in February.
YMCA Cardinia LiFE Community and Families coordinator Melanie Wursthorn said Ms Weickhardt’s heavy involvement with local netball had her in the running to be named a Hometown Hero.
“Kerryn has been a keen netballer for many years and has been developing netball in the Cardinia Shire,” Ms Wursthorn said.
“She has volunteered her time to improve the umpiring for juniors at Pakenham as well as organising courses for juniors to get started as junior umpires.”
Starting a development squad at her local netball club to encourage young netballers to participate in the sport and volunteering for a Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League as a representative are also among Ms Weickhardt’s long list of achievements.
“She is just amazing, the amount of time she put in to developing these juniors as well as being umpire coordinator was astounding,” Ms Wursthorn said.
YMCA Cardinia LiFE manager Michelle Young said the awards were a great opportunity to recognise the good deeds of others and urged the community to get on board.
“Now is the time to show your appreciation for your community-minded neighbours,” she said.
“Nominate those who strive for a better community, those who positively impact our lives and their selfless acts.”
Nomination forms are available from Cardinia LiFE and on the centre’s website at www.cardinialife.ymca.org.au.
They can be filled out and handed in at the centre or emailed to cardinialife@ymca.org.au.
