Community Awards

The Marian 100 holds a special place in many Marian College alumni’s hearts. Since its inception in 1992, around 1500 students have participated across 30 events and raised many thousands of dollars for cancer charity organisation, Camp Quality. 

The Marian 100 is an annual challenge involving around 60 students who run in relay fashion from Mount Hotham back to Myrtleford in once day. The distance is approximately 100km, hence the name Marian 100. The course is split into 21 legs with small groups of 5 to 15 students running each leg before all joining together to run the final leg back to the school. The runners are fully supported with support crews and vehicles accompanying them throughout. It is not a race, and there are no individual winners. The aim is to work as a team to achieve a common goal.  

Students must commit to training twice a week for 14 weeks in the lead up to the event and are required to fundraise, with all monies going to Camp Quality. The event promotes the physical and mental wellbeing of students, encourages initiative, builds resilience, and fosters community spirit. Over the years students have completed the challenge through wind, rain, snow, and extreme heat and have battled through their own personal challenges to finish with the team.  

Support for the Marian 100 goes beyond the school and even the township of Myrtleford. Runners are often cheered on as they pass through towns and villages along the route. At the last event a group of Porepunkah Primary students even joined runners in solidarity for a short stretch as they passed by. For the past two years officers from the Myrtleford Police have accompanied the runners from start to finish and assist with stopping traffic as the final leg moves through Myrtleford. Medical support enroute is provided by local doctors and many local businesses sponsor the event each year. 

The Marian 100 is an inspirational event that has become a rite of passage for many Marian College students. The commitment and dedication from students and staff has been vital in the success of this event over the years, as well as support from the local community, police and businesses. Even a two-year break over Covid hasn’t slowed the momentum of those involved. The Marian 100 is now welcoming the second generation of students, whose parents, aunts and uncles took part in the same event many years earlier and who now get to share their memories and experiences while creating new ones. 

Advocating for her peers may be just one of Isabelle Cooke’s strengths, but it has seen her excel as a leader in her community and beyond. With a passion for issues affecting young people, Isabelle consistently demonstrates a strategic mindset that combines her love for the Alpine Shire with perceptive and innovative ideas for increasing opportunities in regional areas.

Her leadership qualities have been recognised at municipal, state, and federal levels, where she has represented her peers at workshops and seminars discussing environmental impacts on rural lifestyles, lifestyle challenges impacting young people living in rural areas, educational equity, and other issues.

In 2024, Isabelle won the 2024 Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Leadership Award, where she was named VCE Leader of the Year. The VCE Award highlights exemplary leadership across the state and is only awarded to one student per year. She was also awarded the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Long Tan Award for Leadership and Teamwork.

Alongside this state and federal recognition, Isabelle also won the Alpine Women’s Group scholarship for Myrtleford, which is awarded to a female student who has shown commitment to pursuing a career in tertiary education and contributing to her community, and the Alpine Shire Youth Visionary Award (17-25 Years).  

Isabelle’s capacity for strategic vision has developed through a number of pursuits, including her time with Foundations for Tomorrow, a youth-driven organisation dedicated to supporting the growth of Australian leaders, and with the Country Education Partnership, a not-for-profit organisation that champions high quality learning for students in rural and remote communities across Victoria.  

She has also co-designed improvements to the education system with the Education Equity Alliance, and contributed to climate adaption workshops in preparation for the upcoming National Adaption Plan, coordinated by the Australian Government National Adaption Policy Office.

Isabelle is a dancer and has volunteered as a teacher at the Murray Youth Performing Arts School and as an instructor at the Myrtleford Dance School.  

An impassioned all-rounder with clear convictions and an eye for strategy, Isabelle is a credit to her community and to the Alpine Shire.

If there’s one woman who consistently lives out of the values of good company, lifelong learning, and staying active, it is Marianne Dredge. As President of U3A Bright, Marianne is known to others as a calm, determined, and consultative leader, which has seen the U3A double in size over the last four years.  

Marianne has lived in Bright for almost ten years and has been a member of U3A Bright for most of that time. She joined as a member of the Casual Cycling Group and showed a keen interest in the broader activities of the U3A, which has seen her hold committee positions such as Co-ordinators Convenor, a position she held for five years, and Vice-President, which she held for two years. Marianne is now President of U3A Bright and has established herself as an integral fixture in this organised and inclusive organisation.  

In all of her roles, Marianne has made significant contributions to the organisation, not least offering over 25 courses to approximately 280 members. Her ability to think creatively has enabled a number of exciting opportunities for the U3A, including combining with the Senior Citizens to share resources in the existing Senior Citizens Centre, managing the transition to a mandated web-based system for administration and communication, and introducing a Social Committee for social events. She has also encouraged a number of new activities for members of the U3A, including Tai Chi, Qigong, yoga, social golf, bowls, croquet, and an Irish language course. 

As President, Marianne also represents the U3A within the broader community. She engages with members of the Senior Citizens to encourage joint participation in activities, liaises with U3A Myrtleford to invite opportunities across both organisations, represents U3A Bright at ANZAC Day ceremonies, and is a member of the Alpine Shire Council Community Asset Committee. These contributions highlight the value of U3A Bright to the broader community, encouraging other people to learn more about the organisation. 

Marianne has a clear passion for people, which shines in the way she interacts with others. Her friendly demeanour and attentive ear are both valued by the members of U3A Bright, as is her quiet encouragement to develop and expand new and existing activities. Marianne is consistently aware of the needs amongst the members and constantly seeks ways in which to resolve conflicts, even during significant changes. She works to create a sense of friendship amongst members by being approachable, diplomatic, and compassionate. Her commitment to the organisation is reflective of her integrity, always staying true to the core values of U3A Bright.  

It is safe to say U3A Bright will continue to provide a social, educational, and active network to its members while under the inspirational and highly valued leadership of Marianne Dredge.  

Selfless, passionate, and dedicated are three words that can be used to describe Billy Michie. An inspiring role model within his community, Billy gives much of his time to volunteering with the CFA District 24 youth team to help protect our region against fire.  

A dedicated and proactive volunteer, Billy is often seen attending training, community events, and emergency responses as part of the team. In these situations, he consistently showcases leadership through his commitment to developing young firefighters, fostering a culture of service and community spirit.  

Billy was recently selected to participate in the prestigious CFA Youth Camp, which highlighted his dedication to personal growth and showcased his ability to excel in demanding environments. This opportunity honed his skills in leadership, teamwork, and fire safety alongside young firefighters from across Victoria.  

Billy’s commitment to the safety of his community extends beyond volunteering. As of this summer, Billy has secured a seasonal role as a Project Firefighter with DEECA. As part of this role, Billy will work alongside experienced firefighters and other recruits to both fight fires and help reduce bushfire risk in the Ovens district.  

His passion for community service, combined with his leadership and drive, makes Billy an outstanding example of excellence in his field and an inspiration to other young people in the Alpine Shire.  

As a keen member of the Upper Kiewa branch of the Kiewa Catchment Landcare Group for over 10 years, John Gibbons has taken the lead on many projects aimed at future-proofing our natural environment by creating spaces where native flora and fauna can thrive. 

While a modest achiever, John may be known to others as the project lead for the Arboretum on the Kiewa River Trail, a project designed to not only recreate a wildlife corridor for birds and small animals, but also create a sanctuary for locals and visitors to learn about and appreciate the native beauty of the Upper Kiewa Valley.  

To achieve this dream, John not only applied for and received funding from Alpine Shire Council, but also led the other necessary steps to get the Arboretum in place. This involved organising and collecting plants that are endemic to the region between the Upper Kiewa Valley and the summit of Mount Bogong, organising working bees alongside students from Mount Beauty Secondary College, members of Landcare, and the community more broadly, as well as arranging for informative signage to educate locals and visitors alike about the unique features of the Upper Kiewa Valley. 

Alongside dedicated volunteers, John has helped to restore natural environments for the benefit of both the community and the animals that inhabit the area, as well as educating future generations so that they can learn about and maintain the beauty of the region.  

Despite often taking on these leadership roles, John leads by example and so you’ll often find him at working bees. He is also often caught spending quite a bit of his private time checking out the worksites, especially after inclement weather. 

John’s passion for this project, amongst others, is quietly infectious. Coupled with his careful organisation and understanding of volunteer management, as well as his warm approach to effectively engage and encourage participation, John is a testament to the Upper Kiewa Valley. We look forward to enjoying the natural sanctuaries he has created for many years to come. 

A passion for her local community is what drives Zoe Gray to put herself forward for numerous volunteering and advocacy opportunities. As well as its people, Zoe cares deeply for the natural environment in which she grew up, which is reflected in her pursuits.  

Zoe has been an advocate for young people for much of her life, reflected since starting Mount Beauty Secondary College in Year 7. Upon starting secondary school, Zoe joined as a member of the Student Representative Council (SRC) and has maintained her position. Last year, as a student now in Year 11, Zoe was elected as Vice-Captain and represented her peers as a student member of the School Council with integrity. 

Her leadership skills were further recognised in 2023, when Zoe received the Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award in recognition of her leadership both within the school and broader community. This annual award is presented by the Australian Defence Force.  

Zoe has taken up opportunities to develop her skills in leadership and teamwork, demonstrated when she joined the organising committee for the Alpine Shire Youth Awards in 2023. Not only did she help to design and deliver the event, she was also an MC for the evening. It was at this event that her efforts within her community were recognised through her receipt of the Alpine Shire Youth Community Award, sponsored by the Mount Beauty & District Community Bank.  

Zoe has been an integral member of the Resilience Alpine Youth Squad (RAYS) since its inception, where she works with other young people from across the Alpine Shire to build resilience and raise awareness of issues such as youth mental health. Last year, RAYS was recognised for their efforts and awarded the Youth Affairs Council Victoria Rural Award for outstanding youth participation in community-based disaster resilience. 

A lover of the outdoors, Zoe is also passionate about preserving our natural environments. On a local level, Zoe initiated an Environmental Committee for students at Mount Beauty Secondary College, implementing various initiatives to reuse and recycle across the school. As her community project for the School for Student Leadership program, Zoe also helped to organise a tree planting day with Landcare, where they planted over 400 trees.  

Her passion for the environment also extends to its protection from disaster, which has seen her become a member of the Mount Beauty CFA. Inspired by her experiences with the CFA Youth Crew at school, Zoe now actively trains with other youth members as part of the Mount Beauty CFA, furthering their understanding of emergency preparedness to give back to their communities.  

Zoe is an exceptional role model dedicated to supporting her community and advocating for young people. Her dedication to service, environmental advocacy, and youth representation makes her a truly deserving of this award. 

While the Myrtleford Recreation Reserve and the Myrtleford Agricultural Show benefit from the work of a great number of passionate volunteers, it would be almost impossible to mention either one without also mentioning the name Debbie Geddes.  

A fifth-generation farmer, Debbie can trace her lineage back to 1877, when her maternal descendants arrived in Mudgegonga. With multiple businesses under her belt and raising a beautiful family with her husband, Tony, Debbie still manages to find time to dedicate herself to her community as a volunteer for numerous groups and organisations.  

As well as being Treasurer of Myrtleford Recreation Reserve and President of the Myrtleford and District Agricultural and Pastoral Society, Debbie is also a board member for the Victorian Agricultural Shows Ltd, Secretary and Treasurer of the North East Agricultural Shows Zone, Vice-President of the Mudgegonga & District Landcare, Co-Chair of the Myrtleford Disaster Resilience Project, Women’s Advocate for the Ovens Region through the Mudgegonga CFA, and has been President of the Myrtleford Pony Club as part of their rotational system.  

As Treasurer of the Myrtleford Recreation Reserve, Debbie has led multiple renovations on the facilities, achieved by obtaining funding through multiple grant programs. These renovations have revolutionised the spaces, including incorporating solar as a renewable energy source. Some of the works completed include total fit outs of the Richardson and Poultry Pavilions, replacement of several key features in the Cattle Pavilion, a new amenities block, and new drainage infrastructure, including stormwater drainage.  

Debbie originally joined the Myrtleford and District Agricultural and Pastoral Society because she could see that was struggling for younger members. She came on board to help future-proof the Myrtleford Agricultural Show, despite having little background showing animals or attending large shows at the time. Since then, she successfully brought the Show back to life in 2022 by bringing together a diverse group of community exhibits that attracted a wide audience. This has resulted in some of the best shows to date, with visitation reaching upwards of 5000 people and 800 vehicles in the years since. She also incorporated the Myrtleford Festival evening entertainment to great success.  

Education is an important part of Debbie’s life and she strives to continuously learn new skills This has seen her take on the Rural Women’s Leadership Program with Agriculture Victoria, a Diploma of Governance with the Institute of Community Directors Australia, and the Disaster Recovery and Climate Change Adaptation Leadership Group with Alpine Valley Community Leadership. 

Tireless is a word that is often used to describe Debbie and rightfully so. Debbie is an integral part of the community fabric, passionate about making her hometown an inclusive place for everyone to enjoy. 

The Local Young Achiever of Myrtleford & District is not only a jack of all trades – he is a master of them all. For Jack Byrne, the key to success is his love of learning, which is reflected in his wide-ranging list of achievements. 

Jack balances his strong academic abilities with his passion for creativity and unmistakable capacity for leadership, which has seen him take on a number of opportunities both within his community and beyond.  

Jack has been a member of the 1st Myrtleford Scout Group for over eight years, during which he has contributed to community initiatives, including planting trees with Myrtleford Landcare, cleaning up rubbish for Clean Up Australia Day, and assisting with the Good Friday Appeal. Through Scouting, Jack has also held leadership positions that have seen him manage teams, organise events, and represent his peers at occasions such as the the You+Lead Leadership Program, the Victorian Jamboree, the Yarra Ranges Tech School Sustainable House & STEAM Careers Program, the Ignite Camp, and, most recently, Venture. 

Jack was also selected as a Youth Ambassador for the La Fiera Festival, where he participated in seven workshops to learn about Myrtleford’s Italian heritage, as well as developing skills that helped him guide guests through the busy La Fiera Festival period. 

His ability to communicate effectively has seen Jack represent his peers on the Student Representative Council, as well as participate in Alpine Regional Debating, where he participated in and won all three debates. Amongst these pursuits, Jack has also taken to the stage in two school productions: Fantastic Mr Fox, where he played Farmer Bunce, and As You Like It, where he played Jacques. 

As a student of Marian College, Jack has received Academic Excellence Awards in a range of subjects, including Business Management, Careers, English, Humanities, LOTE, Mathematics, Religion, and Science. Alongside this impressive achievement, Jack has also been awarded the Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award and the Gomez Senior Community Award for fostering community spirit at Marian College.  

An academic highlight of 2024 was being accepted into the University of Melbourne’s Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program, Class of 2025.  

It is clear that, not only does Jack value learning, he also takes full advantage of every opportunity and strive to make the most of them. He is an engaged and active member of the community who is truly deserving of this award.  

The Bright Twilight Tastings event was created by the Bright and District Chamber of Commerce as an opportunity for local businesses to showcase some of their amazing food, wine, beer, cider, and spirits along with live entertainment in a festival atmosphere.  

Looking to fill a gap in the calendar usually filled by the Bright Spring Festival, the free event was scheduled for an otherwise quiet Thursday evening in the main street of Bright to allow locals to take full advantage. The inaugural event in 2024 attracted 18 local food and drink vendors as well as many cafes and restaurants in the CBD staying open late. Along with the gourmet delights there was a magician, face painting and silent disco for the kids, and live entertainment from locals acts Adam Lindsay and Benny & The Big Wheels.  

Outstanding collaboration and coordination was demonstrated throughout the planning and execution of the event and those who took part were united in declaring the first Bright Twilight Tastings a huge success. 

Many were impressed with the quality and variety of what was on offer as well as the opportunity to connect with local producers, chefs, brewers, distillers, and vignerons. Communal seating in the open-air event space added to the festive vibe and allowed for social connections as attendees enjoyed their food, drinks, and entertainment.   

Full commendation must be given to the organisers for creating a community event that exceeded expectation and has set the bar for future years. We look forward to seeing Bright Twilight Tastings on the event calendar again in 2025.