Matthew Noonan of Yea/Limestone, and Norma Hodson of Yarck, are Murrindindi Shire’s top citizens, it was announced at Australia Day celebrations today (Fri.).

The Shire’s ‘Young Citizen of the Year’ will be announced at the Marysville celebrations later today. Details will be published at the Local Paper website at approx. 1.30pm today.

At Yea, Matthew Noonan was named as the Shire’s ‘Citizen of the Year’.

“”We were proud to recognise Matthew Noonan with the Murrindindi Shire Citizen of the Year award,” said Mayor Cr Sandice McAulay in a statement. Cr McAulay was appointed to attend the Alexandra and Marysville ceremonies. Cr Bec Bowles and Shire CEO Craig Lloyd were to attend the Yea celebrations.

“Mr Noonan has served 10 years as Limestone Fire Brigade Captain and some 20 years on the Yea Agricultural Show Committee, and that’s not to mention his contribution to the Yea Tennis Club,” Cr McAulay said.

“Mr Noonan is a quiet and committed man who has had a deep and lasting influence on the social and cultural life of the Limestone and Yea communities.”

“Always there when things need to be done or if someone is in need of assistance – that’s Norma Hodson.

“Mrs Hodson is well and truly a worthy recipient of the ‘Senior Citizen of the Year’ award for Murrindindi Shire.

“Mrs Hodson has spent more than 60 years as a member of the Country Women’s Association in Yarck, almost 50 years on the Yarck Hall Committee and 40 years as a member of the Alexandra Pastoral and Agricultural Ladies Auxillary.

“Mrs Hodson is an inspiration to us all,” Cr McAulay said.

“Australia Day is the day to reflect on what it means to be Australian, to celebrate modern Australia and to acknowledge our history.

“It’s a chance to celebrate all the things we love about Australia and an opportunity to recognise the contributions of all Australians,” Cr McAulay said.

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