Lindsay Hanchett remembers the overwhelming feeling of honour and shock he felt after being named the 2021 Wodonga Citizen of the Year.
Mr Hanchett, who is well-known for co-ordinating the Wodonga Carols by Candlelight and his active involvement in the Wodonga Brass Band and the Murray Hume Business Enterprise Centre, remembers sitting at home in front of the computer when the phone rang.
“Cr Watson called to tell me the news. I had to sit down, I was shocked,” he said.
“It’s certainly an honour but I didn’t expect it at all.
“I volunteer and do things in the community because I like the work and enjoy helping out, it’s not about recognition.”
Nominations for the 2022 Wodonga Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, as well as Community Organisation of the Year are now open.
Nominations close on November 17.
Mr Hanchett is encouraging people to have a think about someone who contributes to the community.
“There are a lot of people out there who do some great work in our community, and they deserve recognition,” he said.
Mr Hanchett has not missed an Australia Day service since 1999.
“It’s always a great day but also a long day as we start at 7am and have sets throughout the day and the highlight is always playing Advance Australia Fair,” he said.
Rehearsals for this year’s carols event are underway.
“It would be great if we could have a live event this year and we are certainly working towards that, but we must have a Plan B in place which would be a virtual event,” Mr Hanchett said.
Check out our past winners:
| YEAR |
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR |
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR |
| 2021 |
Lindsay Hanchett |
No award given |
| 2020 |
Penny Wilson |
Bhakta Bhattarai and Grace King |
| 2019 |
Rupinder Kaur |
Sheldon Smith |
| 2018 |
Uta Wiltshire |
Sheridan Williams
|
| 2017 |
Teju Chouhan |
Jye McBurnie and Allanah McKeown
|
| 2016 |
Marie Elliot |
Jacob Mildren |
| 2015 |
Ian Elston |
Liam Shay and Natasa Sojic
|
| 2014 |
Glenn Mackinnon |
Samantha Treffers
|
| 2013 |
Pam Adams |
Josie Lindner |
| 2012 |
Dianne Mant |
Tim Collins and Victoria Jones
|
| 2011 |
Jenny Black |
Sophie Fuchen |
| 2010 |
Geoff Smith |
Ashlea Bennett and Joshua Collins
|
| 2009 |
Bryan Watson |
Jacob Hampton |
| 2008 |
Sue Cardwell |
Dan Collins |
| 2007 |
Andrew Waite |
Sarah Dechert |
| 2006 |
Jim Parker |
Grace Van Kalken
|
| 2005 |
Allan Bounader |
Patrea Quine |
| 2004 |
John Byrne |
Nathan Ahrens and Melissa Walker
|
| 2003 |
Betty Waite |
Alicia Hanna and Matthew Quine
|
| 2002 |
Jean Whitla |
Luke Broadhurst and Ebony Maygar
|
| 2001 |
Barbara Prenter |
Melissa McDougall
|
| 2000 |
Betty McLean |
Leah Foster |
| 1999 |
Eddie Kneebone |
Jacqueline Hanna and Shareen Janetzki
|
| 1998 |
Robert Hall |
Kirsty Leach |
| 1997 |
Jim Saleeba |
Natasha Dean |
| 1996 |
The award dating system changed
and no award was given this year |
The award dating system changed
and no award was given for this year.
|
| 1995 |
David Mann |
Marie Rauter |
| 1994 |
Bill Grant |
No award given |
| 1993 |
Walter Taylor |
Robert Spurr |
| 1992 |
Bill Proud |
Mark Dowlan |
| 1991 |
Dawn Richardson |
Nichole Chambers
|
| 1990 |
Elizabeth McGrath |
Tammy Miller |
| 1989 |
Jim Costelloe |
Jonathon Van Ree
|
| 1988 |
Leo Mulqueeney |
Tania Tait |
| 1987 |
Bruce Morrison |
Brenda Keenan |
| 1986 |
Margaret Andrews |
David Boyle |
| 1985 |
Bill Orr |
Dallas Hemphill |
| 1984 |
No award given |
Jacqueline Harris
|
| 1983 |
No award given |
Tracey Foard |
| 1982 |
Bill Buckpitt |
Alison Evans |
| 1981 |
No award given |
Andrew Freeman and Diane Simpson
|
| 1980 |
No award given |
Belinda Bruning |