SAUSAGES sizzled and eggs fried on the barbeque at an early morning breakfast in the Beechworth Servicemen’s Memorial Hall kicking off the town’s Australia Day celebrations on Sunday.
A patriotic crowd of around 100 people gathered to celebrate with awards presented to two locals for outstanding achievements.
Beechworthians Mary Edwards received the Emma George Sports Scholarship while Maria Kraus received the Beechworth and District Certificate of Achievement presented by Indigo Shire councillor John Harvey.
The recipients were among a number of volunteers and community leaders around the shire recognised for their outstanding contributions with various Australia Day awards.
Representing both Cricket NSW and Cricket Victoria, Mary has been a key player for the North East Knights Under 15 Girls since the age of 11, where she required eligibility exemptions to compete.
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Standout performances included ranking 34th in NSW batting rankings during the 2024 U15 Youth Championship in Singleton while last month Mary competed in the U16s Country Championship in Bathurst.
Also selected for the Cricket Victoria Girls Leadership Program, the thirteen-year-old gained valuable skills in coaching, mentoring, and administration as the youngest participant.
“Playing cricket has given me amazing opportunities and to meet some great people to help me grow as a person,” Mary said.
“I’ve been able to meet, play and learn from some very inspiring people, and to travel places around our great country playing cricket.
“I'd love to thank everyone who's been a part of my journey so far, including friends, family, teammates and coaches and everyone else who makes playing cricket and sports possible.
“It’s really about communities coming together in a positive way, just as we are here today in our lucky country.”
A passionate volunteer in the community, Maria Kraus said she was humbled in receiving her Australia Day award.
“There are a lot of volunteers and it’s not just about me,” she said.
Maria founded a free and inclusive community run and walk club two years ago encouraging people to be active.
The award recipient said there is a good mix of people including kids, with the club now boasting a strong following of more than 300 members.
Maria has also been a longtime volunteer coach for the local mountain bike club for its junior program.
She is also a Quercus Beechworth neighbourhood Centre board member.
“Being a volunteer is rewarding and it’s nice to be publicly recognised,” she said.
Maria said being appreciated by the community encouraged her to keep going.
Guest speaker Beechworth Honey’s Jodie Goldsworthy was recognised for significant service to primary industry, particularly the honey bee and pollination sector in this year’s Australia Day honours, with her appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division.
The fourth-generation bee keeper delivered an inspiring speech of her incredible journey stretching from her time as a young girl growing up in the honey industry, to later years working with government bodies and industry organisations to help shape both national and international policies.
A passionate Ms Goldsworthy also emphasised the critical role of bees in global food supply, biodiversity, soil health, water quality, and climate health.
The CWA, Beechworth Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Beechworth hosted the event with Beechworth 1st Scouts taking the honour to raise and lower the Australian flag with Rotarian John Costello as MC.
Longtime Barnawartha resident Paul Schirmer named Indigo Shire's 2025 Citizen of the Year while 11-year-old Hugh Bergin was awarded Indigo Shire Young Citizen of the Year.
Rutherglen Golf Club clinched the shire’s Community Organisation of the Year award.
Other council award recipients included Glenn Excell with the Chiltern District Certificate Achievement, Louise Rietmann with the Yackandandah District Certificate Achievement and Hans Duursma with the Rutherglen District Certificate Achievement.
