General News
29 January, 2026
Hopetoun celebrates Australia Day honourees
Celebartions in the community on Monday included the presentation of Hopetoun's Australia Day 2026 awards.
Hopetoun Community Spirit Award – Cynthia Maiden
Ms Maiden received high praise in her nomination for the Community Spirit Award.
She brought with her a breath of fresh ideas, giving parents support and confidence and as she opened doors to new horizons, children have grown and learnt from a Principal that lives by her values and leads by example.
The kids loved her from their first lessons in 2005 and the new foundation students of 2025 say she’s a great teacher, fun to be around and it’s a fantastic school.
Her love of education has shone through as she encourages ongoing learning within the teams she has built around her, fosters support to those needing extra support and strengthens each child in their learning pursuits.
Ms Maiden has engaged with the community at all stages of development within the school, building projects, new classroom and equipment, grounds and maintenance to ensure that the school and grounds are a safe and welcoming environment.
There’s a great team spirit environment as you walk in the front door and this filters through to the students.
Students are encouraged to expand community connections and this is ongoing and strengthening through visits to residents at Corrong Village at Rural Northwest Health, to see the sparkle in both resident and student eyes as communications development and visits continue.
Junior Red Cross extends the local and international connections as children raise funds for those less fortunate and special projects.
Most if not all sporting clubs in the community have engaged with students, introducing them to a new sport and members share their skills to encourage connections.
Volunteering pursuits like Clean Up Australia Day at Lake Lascelles, Tree Planting, Anzac and Remembrance Day services, Christmas biscuit cooking for the town's elderly and any meal that could be shared at the school is always an open invitation.
Family and friends are warmly welcomed at the school for special Mass services, grandparents day, mum and dad days, graduation days, communion and achievements and celebrations.
She encourages students to have a voice and to hear the children speak at school functions and see the church full of friends of the children is a wonderful sight.
Ms Maiden is a member of Red Cross and likes to be involved in the community and be busy, she can always find or make time to fit something else in her busy days.
Residents at RNH have enjoyed her Catholic Communion sessions for many years.
We have been privileged to share in her community connections and her love of community engagement to broaden and enhance our upcoming students.
We congratulate and celebrate with you as a new year starts and we await the next community connection.
Hopetoun Community Spirit Award – Peter Poulton
In nominating Peter Poulton for the Community Spirit Award, he received high praise for many years of dedication to community activities.
How many of you have dialled the 131111 number to get help when your car wouldn’t start, you’d ran out of fuel, you had a flat tyre, locked your keys in the car or got bogged somewhere?
Mr Poulton has provided unwavering support and service, in excess of 50 years to the Hopetoun and surrounding districts, be it rain, hail or sunshine, heatwave or frost, the RACV vehicle would arrive to help you out and get you back on the road.
Visitors travelling through and the locals admired his unassuming nature and greatly appreciated his vehicle skills, his adaptability to the problem presented and his attention to detail.
As an avid APEX club member and long serving member and treasurer of the Lake Lascelles Committee of Management, Peter acknowledges how these two organisations have contributed to what we see today in our town as invaluable assets of years of hard work, community spirit and dedication to maintain for years to come.
As Treasurer, he can be seen frequently at the lake collecting camp fees, chatting to campers, following up on requests or being the guy whose reply to one visitor, could you please change the gas bottle for the showers – that’s ok.
"I can change it when I see some contributions for your registration number plate in the honesty box," he said.
A friendly word of encouragement to support the honour box system that has helped build the reputation that Hopetoun has for its welcoming Lake Lascelles vibe.
In 1957 the Hopetoun Community Hotel was originally established to run for the town’s benefit and was built in 1958 as the first co-operative hotel in Victoria with financial support from community members.
The hotel remains a pivotal meeting place for the community and visitors to the town.
Mr Poulton has served as a Director and member of the Board of Management for many years, leading the hotel through significant changes and refurbishments whilst maintaining its community atmosphere.
Hopetoun Community Ambulance – maintaining and cleaning for 20 years
Our Community Award winner continues to be an active and enthusiastic supporter of being a part of strengthening diversity and community assets to enhance Hopetoun’s viability, tourism and beautification for years to come.
A quiet achiever, who continues to show loyalty to any proposals or suggestions to enhance our community at large and follows through with team support to it’s implementation or completion.
One mighty achievement.
Our congratulations Peter for your outstanding dedication to the Hopetoun Community, showing your commitment of community spirit, engagement and selfless service to your community.