30 years to 1992
There was a big changing of the guard in the Kooweerup Potato Festival Committee. Newsagent and former councilor Gary King was elected president, taking the reins from Harry Burton, who retired after nearly 20 years in the position. At the AGM, Harry spoke of the festival’s achievements over the years, including appearances on the Bob Hope Show, displays in Melbourne and participation in the Moomba parade. Another well-known Kooweerup resident Anne Nunn was elected to replace retiring secretary Mary Dillon, who had held the position for 15 years. Mary and Harry said they would remain on the committee. Others elected included David Gault, Joyce Light, Margaret McDonald, Andrew Stewart, Les Manson, Ken Huxtable, John Burhop, Fred Alderson, Eileen Duncan, Keith Ridgway, John Wilkinson, Bill Doherty, Ray Cullen, Noel Johnson, Ken Methven, Bill Jeffrey, Dev Knighton, Reg Hill, Col Utber, Len Huxtable, Frank Worcester, Neil Schrieber, Diane King, Sgt Barry Jupp and Margaret Glasscock.
20 years to 2002
Berwick Secondary College paid special tribute to long-serving staff member Gilda Hansen, who lost her battle with cancer. A long-serving office staff member at the college, Gilda was instrumental in the efficient operation of the school, working with the school council and acting as secretary to the principal. She was well organized and helped all the personal records of the college’s staff of 70. Gilda was described as “gracious, courteous, diligent, professional and a person for whom nothing was too much trouble, a gem”. The same week the college announced that three elements would be named in honour of retired principal Barry Freeman. The conference room and technology centre would carry his name, as well as a scholarship awarded in his honour.
10 years to 2012
Third generation apple growers who faced financial ruin 14 years ago have rallied through resilience and innovation to be crowned as Cardinia Shire’s Business of the Year for 2012. Bellevue Orchards, run by the Russo family, had to reinvent itself after a freak storm hit the Officer property on Australia Day 1998 and devastated the apple crop just before harvest. Brothers Joe and Robert Russo decided to install an apple juicing plant and their famous summer snow (named after the hail) was born. Bellevue also took out the Agriculture and Primary Industries category. Other category winners were Elevation at Emerald (Food and Wine), Upstaged Dance and Performance Studio (Home Based), the EFI Group (Manufacturing), Greenview Accounting Services (Professional and Business Services and Employer of Choice), Kleev Homes (Property and Construction), Emerald Village Pharmacy (Retail), Tour Local (Tourism and Access for All), Mayberry Racing (Environmental Sustainability), Brownie Points Australia (Innovation) and Benher Signs and Blackwood Lane Studio (Judges’ Recognition).
