Rhonda Coates and Peter Baxter made Mitchell Shire history on Friday, named the first recipients of two new Mitchell Shire Council community award categories.
To encourage a wider range of nominations, council established the Sports Person of the Year, and Arts and/or Culture Person of the Year awards.
Ms Coates received the Arts and/or Culture Person award for her work with community group Kilmore Quilters.
From modest beginnings of about 20 members, Kilmore Quilters has grown to a vibrant 70-member community.
Meeting twice a month, members share their love of quilting and crafting and forge enduring friendships.
Ms Coates’ dedication to preventing isolation and fostering inclusion has led to the creation of smaller groups meeting more frequently and encouraging artistic growth and camaraderie among members.
Under her guidance, members of Kilmore Quilters have achieved artistic feats, including submissions to state-level competitions, awards, and invitations to display their work internationally.
She has also organised a quilt challenge in Japan.
Her inclusivity is evident – welcoming men and children into the group, fostering a diverse and supportive environment for all.
Ms Coates said she was surprised and ‘very humbled’ to receive the award.
“It certainly wouldn’t have been possible unless I had the help of all the great ladies around me,” she said.
“It’s just something that I love doing so it’s even an added bonus that you love doing it and you get recognised for doing it so it’s just fantastic. It’s so much more than just a needle and thread.”
Ms Coates said it was great council established an arts category for the awards.
“The fact too that it’s been awarded for a craft category, which sometimes gets the poor end of the deal because we’re not usually out there is really great,” she said.
“We’ve all got grandmothers’ dollies and aprons around, and way back when we used to have to do home economics at school and things like that. The memories it brings are precious and we don’t recognise it enough, I don’t believe.”
The group meets in Kilmore Memorial Hall two or three times a month and people are invited to join the group, with more information available on the Kilmore Quilters Facebook page.
Stalwart member of the Puckapunyal Cricket Club since 1994, Peter Baxter received Sports Person of the Year award but was unable to receive it on the day.
Over numerous seasons, Mr Baxter has filled many roles from player to captain, never confining himself to a single grade but always stepping in wherever needed.
Despite commitments to the Defence Force, which occasionally led to postings elsewhere, Mr Baxter’s loyalty to the club has remained unwavering, returning each time to lend his support to the club in various capacities.
He serves as treasurer, groundsman, barman, scorer and various other positions, and is a life member of the club, which has a pavilion that bears his name.
