Citizen of the Year - Mr. Wally Stables
Young Citizen of the Year - Mr. Dylan Gaffee
Community sports leaders take out Eaglehawk Australia Day Awards
Two devoted community minded people from grass roots sports have been awarded Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year at the recent Rotary Club of Eaglehawk’s Australia Day celebrations.
For Walter (Wally) Stables swimming became a lifelong commitment soon after he arrived in Eaglehawk with his family from South Hampton, England nearly 60 years ago. Wally has played a pivotal role in making a difference to countless children and teenagers by enabling them to experience success at junior, intermediate and senior levels of swimming. For the past 50 years, Wally has devoted decades of service to the then Eaglehawk Swimming Club, now Bendigo Hawks, as vice president and secretary, district proficiency officer and district referee. Today Wally is still an influential elder, respected mentor, coach and leader of Bendigo Hawks and is often seen pacing up and down the side of the pool coaching young swimmers.
From a young age cricket was in Dylan Gaffee’s blood which has flowed on to him being instrumental in Eaglehawk Cricket Club’s success on and off the pitch both as a player and committee member. Not only can Dylan play cricket well, he has a knack for administration and thinks outside the box when it comes to how his club can become more connected to the community. In 2019 Dylan was part of the brains behind the successful “On the Wing Festival” and was responsible for the health, safety and First Aid for the thousands of community members on the day. Dylan is also a strong advocate for mental health and has been responsible for implementing an advocacy program at the club as well as a training workshop with Bendigo Suicide Awareness Group. But it’s not just cricket, while deeply involved in his local club, Dylan has completed a teaching degree at Latrobe University while juggling casual work and his commitment to community sport.
Australia Day Ambassador, Dr Skye Kinder, delivered her message and acknowledged Eaglehawk’s citizens of the year during a diverse and inclusive community event with entertainment from Eaglehawk Citizens Brass Band and local singer Scarlett Abbott.