A SHINING light of the small community of Woomelang in Western Victoria has been named Victoria's Local Hero of the Year.
Beverley Wall was given the award for energy she has thrown into maintaining the services of the town, which has a population of 200, the National Australia Day Council said
The award was part of the Victoria Australian of the Year Awards presented last night.
"When the town’s local post office was facing closure Bev bought it to ensure that postal services were maintained, but also expanded its role to meet gaps left by the closure of other postal services in the region," the council said.
"Within 24 hours of the local supermarket closing, Bev again expanded the post office to supply groceries and it has now become the hub of the town.
"It is now the hub of the town, the focal point where everyone meets.
"With the pressure of the drought on the community, the local garage was the next to close. But Bev would not see the town without this essential service so she began ordering fuel and organised a roster of volunteers to man a petrol depot that she set up.
"She also worked to obtain a certificate to become the town’s only Justice of the Peace."
Bev is also a member of several committees, including the Woomelang Bush Nursing Centre, Country Women’s Association, and is Secretary of the Development Association.
"Bev has kept her town alive. The quality of life for Woomelang’s residents is much improved by her efforts," the council said.
Bev was one of four Victorians to receive a Victoria Australian of the Year Award. The honour roll also included African-Australian community leader Dr Berhan Ahmed, who was named Victoria's Australian of the Year, entrepreneur and philanthropist Pat LaManna OAM, who was named Victoria Senior Australian of the Year and charity founder Leigh Mathews, who is Victoria's Young Australian of the Year.
All Victorian award recipients become national finalists in their categories for the Australian of the Year Awards to be announced in Canberra on January 25, 2009.
The Australian of the Year Awards 2009 - state and territory finalists - FULL LIST
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
ACT AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Professor Michael Dodson AM - Indigenous leader
Professor Ross Garnaut AO - Economist & climate change expert
Liz O'Brien - Social justice campaigner (O'Connor)
Dennise Simpson - Crisis support manager (Narrabundah)
ACT SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Judith Clingan AM - Composer & music educator (Rivett)
Reverend Associate Professor Elizabeth MacKinlay AM - Anglican Priest (Latham)
Professor Peter Read - Academic & historian (Turner)
Jim Service AO - Philanthropic businessman (Forrest)
ACT YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Sid Chakrabarti - Youth leader (O'Connor)
Jack Heath - Science fiction author (O'Connor)
Sue Webeck - Voluntary community worker (Ainslie)
Andrew Welling - Anti-drugs campaigner (Nichols)
ACT LOCAL HERO
Dr John Buckingham - Breast cancer surgeon (Griffith)
Tim Gavel - Sports commentator (Ainslie)
Kelly Hayduk - Community worker (Giralang)
Elizabeth Steeper - Enthusiastic fundraiser (Farrer)
NEW SOUTH WALES
NSW AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Layne Beachley - Surfing legend
Professor Simon Chapman - Anti-tobacco campaigner (Sydney University)
Liz Ellis - Netball great
Glenn McGrath AM - Cricketer & fundraiser (Sutherland Shire)
NSW SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
John Bell AM - Actor and director
June Dally-Watkins OAM - Businesswoman
Dr Catherine Hamlin AC - Fistula surgery pioneer (Wahroonga)
Lorraine Peeters - Stolen Generation supporter (Terranora)
NSW YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Craig Ashby (Gamilaroi) - Indigenous literacy campaigner (Summer Hill)
Daniel Clarke - Entrepreneur and mentor (Blakehurst)
Kurt Fearnley OAM - Paraylmpian (Bar Beach)
Mimi Zou - Community services volunteer (Campsie)
NSW LOCAL HERO
Susan Elder - Nurse & inventor (Westleigh)
John Harper - Mental health advocate (Stockinbingal)
Captain Paul Moulds - Homeless youth supporter (Bondi Junction)
Dr Jamal Rifi - Cultural leader (Belmore)
NORTHERN TERRITORY
NT AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Pam Harrison - Nurse & philanthropist
Will MacGregor - Youth support worker (Alice Springs)
Fiona O'Loughlin - Comedian & foster mother (Alice Springs)
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - Indigenous singer/songwriter (Arnhem Land)
NT SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Coralyn Armstrong - Educator (Ramingining)
Julia Battison - Community worker (Palmerston)
Bryan & Kathy Massey - Dedicated community supporters
Max Tate - Solar power enthusiast (Tennant Creek)
NT YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Ngaree Ah Kit - Young indigenous leader (Karama)
Rachel Meldrum - Talented scientist (Brinkin)
Amy Robinson - Youth leader (Darwin)
Douglas Watts - Aspiring astronaut (Palmerston)
NT LOCAL HERO
Basma Ganalarritj - Carer (Elcho Island)
Dr T Mahendrarajah - Ophthalmic surgeon (Nakara)
Peter Mostran - Transport expert & race event leader (Alice Springs)
Chowdhury Sadaruddin - Muslim community leader (Gunn)
QUEENSLAND
QLD AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Tony Bower-Miles - Landmine clearer (Underwood)
Professor Ross Homel AO - Criminology expert (Indooroopilly)
Professor David Johnson - Leading nephrologist (Woolloongabba)
Bronwyn Sheehan - Literacy advocate (Lutwyche)
QLD SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Fred Hyde AM - Charity founder (Warrick)
Jean Illingworth - Revolutionary principal (Gordonvale)
Kenneth Leonard - Charitable leader (Rothwell)
Michael O'Neill - Jobs creator (Chapel Hill)
QLD YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Jonty Bush - Victim support worker (Lutwyche)
Anna Meares OAM - Cycling champion
Matthew Mitcham - Diving sensation
Stephanie Rice - Swimming champion
QLD LOCAL HERO
Dr Harald Falge OAM - Homeless support worker (Cairns)
Cyril Golding - Philanthropic businessman (Gladstone)
Dr James Morton - Autism centre founder (Mt Gravatt)
Elizabeth Plummer - Cancer campaigner (Cairns)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
SA AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Professor Christopher Burrell AO - Virologist & festival director (Leahbrook)
Ivan Copley - Indigenous community worker (Athelstone)
Dr Damian Mead - Health clinic founder (Adelaide)
Dr C. Ross Philpot OAM - Infectious diseases specialist (Myrtle Bank)
SA SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
John Halbert MBE - Australian Rules legend (Rose Park)
Shirley Hogben OAM - Community fundraiser (Largs North)
Raymond Jones - Fundraising cyclist (North Adelaide)
Antonio Romeo - Community-minded businessman (Torrensville)
SA YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Deng Chuor - Sudanese refugee
Matthew Cowdrey OAM - Swimming champion (Salisbury Heights)
Daniel Daw - Professional dancer (Mile End)
Eleanor Sobey - Cockatoo recovery program manager (Kangaroo Island)
SA LOCAL HERO
Robert Curtis - Volunteer carer (Holden Hill)
Frank England - Local philanthropist (Kingston)
Beverley Langley - Wildlife rescuer (Cherry Gardens)
Rito Paparella - Role model & mentor (Woodcroft)
TASMANIA
TASMANIA AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Bernadette Black - Writer & teenage mums supporter (Blackmans Bay)
Dr Scott Brennan - Rowing legend (Lindisfarne)
Peter Cundall AM - Gardening expert (Rosevears)
Sally Fletcher - Suicide prevention campaigner (Launceston)
TASMANIA SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Ronnie Burns - Respite centre founder (Devonport)
Aunty Phyllis Pitchford - Aboriginal Elder (Rocherlea)
Vlastislav Skvaril - Marathon runner (Burnie)
Bryn Warrick - Sea rescue volunteer (George Town)
TASMANIA YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Sam Cawthorn - Motivator (Launceston)
Katie Crane - Youth leader (Richmond)
Abyilene Dobson - Environmental advocate (Blackmans Bay)
Katarina Pakinga - Choirmaster & performer (Burnie)
TASMANIA LOCAL HERO
Mary Binks OAM - Homeless helper (Devonport)
John Layton Hodgetts OAM - Band leader (New Norfolk)
Gerald Kay - Pharmacist & fundraiser (Smithton)
Kim Schneiders - Arts champion (West Launceston)
VICTORIA
VICTORIA AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Dr Berhan Ahmed - African-Australian community leader (Mill Park)
Paul Briggs OAM - Indigenous leader (Shepparton)
Don Henry - Environmental campaigner (Carlton)
Rachel Stanfield-Porter - Charity founder (Canterbury)
VICTORIA SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Susan Alberti AO - Diabetes campaigner (Wheelers Hill)
Stephanie Alexander OAM - Chef & author (Hawthorn)
Don Burrows AO MBE - Jazz legend
Pat LaManna OAM - Entrepreneur & philanthropist (Balwyn)
VICTORIA YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Kelly Cartwright - Paralympic athlete (Belmont)
Leigh Mathews - Cambodian charity founder (Fairfield)
Ellen Sandell - Environmental advocate (Flemington)
Jing Zhang - Deaf community volunteer (Heidelberg)
VICTORIA LOCAL HERO
Dr Rhonda Galbally AO - Social justice advocate (Richmond)
Father Joe Giacobbe - Charity founder (Melbourne)
Craig Schepis - Homeless awareness campaigner (Ballarat)
Beverley Wall - Town hero (Woomelang)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
WA AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Fred Chaney AO - Social justice campaigner (Claremont)
Dr Penny Flett - Geriatrics specialist (Osborne Park)
Professor Max Kamien - General practitioner (City Beach)
Ros Worthington OAM - Social philanthropist (Kewdale)
WA SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Patrick Dodson - Indigenous leader (Broome)
Malcolm Douglas - Outback adventurer (Cable Beach)
Peter Fitzpatrick AM - Business and community leader (North Perth)
John Schnaars - Indigenous war veterans' advocate (Bayswater)
WA YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Annabelle Coppin - Beef cattle producer (Port Hedland)
Sam Hill - World mountain biking champion
Tim Roberton - Humanitarian worker (Swanview)
David Wirrpanda - Indigenous footballer (Subiaco)
WA LOCAL HERO
Diane Annear - Women's supporter (South Perth)
Graeme Drew - Sea rescuer & educator (Bremer Bay)
Melissa Matheson - Community spirit (Jarrahdale)
Kerry Stanley - Charity rider (Bindoon)
