General News
30 January, 2026
Jake’s youthful energy gets Hindmarsh Shire’s attention
JEPARIT’S Jake Smith was one of two Hindmarsh Shire’s young people honoured on Australia Day 2026 with a Young Citizen Of The Year award, and the only one honoured not from Nhill, although he was born there.
He attended the Jeparit Primary School and Dimboola Memorial Secondary College, before commencing work at Ahrens in Tarranyurk.
Jake has spent a lot of his time playing various sports such as golf, bowls, tennis and football for Jeparit, as well as volunteering at various community events such as the Jeparit Show, Jeparit Angling Club Fishing Competitions, Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum Rally, Jeparit RSL ANZAC Day service and Australia Day events.
Jake has consistently jumped into action to get things done without being asked, and always does it all with a smile on his face.
Jake has been president for the Mopoke Club for the past two years – the club is a Jerapit group founded 75 years ago by local business owners who decided that no child should be without a gift on Christmas.
Since joining, he has helped deliver a highly successful annual Santa visit – an event that brings joy to local families by providing every child from infancy to age 12 with a free gift, icy pole, bag of lollies and a drink.
Jake has assisted locals with putting up Christmas decorations throughout Jeparit and has contributed to multiple fundraising activities throughout the year, demonstrating his remarkable commitment to Jeparit and surrounding communities.
On top of all that, Jake has also volunteered for many community groups and clubs in Jeparit, ranging from volunteering at the Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Musuem where he has assisted with setting up, cooking food, and packing up at their Rally events, to volunteering for the Jeparit A&P Society, Jeparit RSL, Jeparit CFA, Jeparit Angling Club, Southern Mallee Thunder Football Netball Club (formerly Jeparit Rainbow Football Netball Club), Jeparit Golf Club and Jeparit Tennis Club.
Cr Ismay said Jake was “a fantastic role model for young people in our community, showing what can be achieved when people of all ages are willing to pitch in."
Known to many simply as ‘Bob’, he was born and raised in Nhill and is renowned for his love and commitment to the local community.
Though active through many different avenues, the largest and most recognisable is with the Nhill Lions Club where he has earned himself the nickname ‘BBQ Bob’.
Maintaining the Lions Rose Garden in Nhill, assisting with the setup for the Nhill Lions Club Markets and his long musical involvement with the Nhill and Dimboola Brass Band all combine to give a picture of a wonderful role model for the community.
Cr Ismay congratulated Bob “on the countless years of generous service to the Nhill community”.
“The purpose of this award is to honour people who work tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to make our communities a great place to live and visit, and I believe Bob fits this description in every way,” he said.
Dah Lay Htoo Shwe, also known as ‘Star’, has had an extremely vital and positive impact on the Karen youth at Nhill College and the greater community.
Star works as an Education Support Officer at Nhill College, where she supports and assists Karen students within the classroom.
Star has also provided out of hours support to both students and their families and assisted them with any queries they may have.
She has also supported students at the weekly homework club after school every Tuesday where she encourages students to complete all tasks and review their schoolwork.
On top of all the tremendous support she provides the community, Star has also volunteered with her church and runs the youth group.
Cr Ismay enthusiastically praised Star on “this outstanding achievement”.
“From your nomination, it is clear how important you are to the Karen and wider community in making sure everyone can learn, access information, and have fun!” he said.
Luv-a-Duck’s event ‘Thank Duck It’s Friday’ was a free event organised for the community on Friday March 21, 2025.
It involved live music, family fun, free giveaways and face painting for kids at Jaypex Park in Nhill.
This free community event organised by Mark Shandley saw over 200 locals attend where they enjoyed a night of music in a relaxed environment.
Additionally, all proceeds and money raised were donated to the Nhill and District Sporting Club.
“Congratulations Mark and the Luv-a-Duck team for showing the power of community-business partnerships, all the while running and fantastic event for the whole family,” Cr Ismay said.
“We look forward to more events like this in the future.”
‘Bev’ has made an exceptional and long-lasting positive impact on the Nhill and the wider Hindmarsh community through her exceptional leadership, commitment and generosity across multiple organisations.
Bev founded Nhill Parkrun in 2015, with the first event launching in February 2018 and since then, she has been the driving force behind its continued success and consistent attendance rate.
Bev has an exceptional community service record over many decades, with her contributions being across many social, cultural, sporting, and educational avenues, all incorporating a lifetime of her dedication to many groups and organisations.
Bev’s volunteering is characterised by reliability, humility, kindness and an unwavering willingness to help wherever needed.
Cr Ismay said she had “an incredible legacy” in the Nhill community and deserved congratulating.
“The breadth of your service to the community is impressive,” he said.
He thanked everyone who took the time to submit nominations for the Australia Day Awards.
“Council continues to support this day and see it as a day to come together and celebrate our freedom, democratic rights, multiculturalism, and enjoy the wonderful country we live in,” Cr Ismay said.
“I would also like to sincerely thank and extend our gratitude to the volunteers who run the Australia Day events each year – Lions Club of Rainbow, Jeparit Town Committee, Dimboola CWA and Lions Club of Nhill.”