General News

24 January, 2024

Jude Raftis, Samantha Bewley are Loddon's top citizens of 2024

LODDON Shire's Australia Day Citizen of the Year is Wedderburn's Jude Raftis with Sam Bewley named the Young Citizen. They will be presented with their awards at Friday's Australia Day ceremony in Wedderburn. Loddon Shire Terrick Ward Councillor Dan...

LODDON Shire's Australia Day Citizen of the Year is Wedderburn's Jude Raftis with Sam Bewley named the Young Citizen.

They will be presented with their awards at Friday's Australia Day ceremony in Wedderburn.

Loddon Shire Terrick Ward Councillor Dan Straub this afternoon made the announcement andcongratulated all the award winners onbehalf of the Mayor, Cr Gavan Holt.

“On behalf of the Mayor I’d like to thank everyone who put forward nominees for this year’s Australia Day awards,” Cr Straub said.

“This year’s award winners have shown amazing dedication to their communities and our Shire overall, and it’s fantastic to see these worthy recipients recognised for their extensive
community service.

“I’d like to congratulate all our award recipients, including Citizen of the Year Jude Raftis and our Young Citizen of the Year Samantha Bewley.

“Both of these awardees have contributed enormously to their communities and it’s great they have both been recognised,” Cr Straub added.\

Recipients of the ward community service awards are

Ward Citizen of the Year:

Jude's citation

Jude is an excellent example of the saying if you want something done, ask a busy person.Born and raised in Wedderburn, Jude has left her mark on many parts of the town, making
Wedderburn a better place to live and inspiring many others to improve their community.
She has been a selfless volunteer from a young age. Whenever someone needs a hand,Jude is always there to assist. Additionally, she is a great leader, bringing together people
and groups to achieve a positive outcome.
A Life Member of the Wedderburn Netball Club (now Wedderburn Redbacks), Jude providedan invaluable 35 years of service – as a player for an amazing 30 years and coach for 18
years (A Grade through to Under 13s).
At just 17 years old, Jude became President of the club. In the years to come, Jude wasPresident, Secretary and Treasurer, and twice held the position of North Central Netball
Association President.
She was instrumental in collaborating information and photos for the club’s history book forits 55-year reunion in 2008 – the first ever for the club.
After joining Wedderburn Lions Club in 2011, Jude immediately became an integral member,becoming President and later Secretary, and has stepped up to be President again in 2023-
24.
She has volunteered in many ways with the club – this includes attending working bees,selling raffle tickets and preparing for the Australia Day ceremony. Additionally, Jude
organises catering for the Minelab Wedderburn Detector Jamboree, volunteers with DriverReviver and maintains the garden between the Lions Club room and Mechanics Institute
Hall.
Jude has been the Chairperson of the Aged Care Sub Committee for many years, and hasbeen the driving force to establish an aged care facility in Wedderburn, including making
representations to State and Federal Governments to help obtain funding for this initiative.
Her horticultural skills have seen Jude lead and participate in transforming several gardensin the area. This includes design and landscaping of the Wedderburn Community Centre
gardens, native planting at Hard Hill Tourist Reserve, and RSL Memorial Garden renovationand upgrade.
As President of the Wedderburn Cemetery Trust, Jude has been instrumental in maintainingthe garden, coordinating installation of seats and helping attract new volunteers.

A talented artist, Jude voluntarily created a beautiful mosaic for the Wedderburn Cemeteryfor family and friends to enjoy when visiting their loved ones.
During her time as Wedderburn Community House Coordinator Jude also started the verysuccessful annual Wedderburn Garden Expo.
She is involved in the monthly Tastes of Loddon and supports and encourages Loddon Shiregrowers and artisans to be part of the monthly Farmers Market.
Jude contributed many voluntary hours to the Birds Eye View Project, attending meetings,workshops and providing great ideas to help the project come to fruition. She further added
to the project by creating her own mosaic masterpiece.
An active member of the RSL, Jude makes herself available for working bees and otherduties such as catering and cleaning – always supporting and encouraging others. She
spent a term as Appeals Officer, which raises funds for Veterans’ wellbeing.

Your local Loddon Herald will have full coverage of local Australia celebrations next week.

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