There were hundreds of nominations, but only five could be chosen
Between Monday, May 20, to Friday, May 24, Ambience Cafe gave away a hamper per day to a nominated volunteer in the Cobram and surrounding community.
The give-away was part of Volunteer Week celebrations and was the idea of Ambience Cafe owner Renee Lincoln.
“I think people that volunteer do a lot for others, but don't look after themselves,” Ms Lincoln said.
“So I thought I would go with that and do a celebration of people that do good things in the area that haven’t been noted.”
The fiver winners were all nominated by members of the public.
Rachel Mckay
Well known as one of the Cobram BP petrol station workers, Rachel Mckay is also a dedicated community volunteer.
Ms Mckay has an extensive history organising the Biggest Morning Tea and over the past 12 years has raised an incredible $99,000.
In 2024, Ms Mackay was one of three organisers of the Love Your Sister fundraiser that was held in Cobram.
The event, attended by hundreds of locals, raised more than $40,000 for the Love Your Sister charity.
Ms Mckay OAM is known throughout the town for her friendly demeanour and great customer service skills.
Asked how she felt about being a recipient, Ms Mckay said she was both surprised and humbled.
“It is nice to be recognised and it's lovely of Ambience to do what they do,” she said.
“It's like I hit the bingo, from Love Your Sister to Ambience, it seems to all happen at once.”
Luke Herezo
He is a man who needs no introduction.
Mr Herezo was nominated for his extensive work with the SES, which he has been part of for more than a decade.
Recently promoted to Cobram Unit Controller, Mr Herezo has attended many emergencies ranging from floods to car accidents.
Luke’s efforts extend out of the local community assisting other SES units where need-be.
Mr Herezo said he is grateful for the hamper and praised the Ambience Cafe initiative.
“It feels really good,” he said.
“It's great to see small Cobram businesses highlight the great work volunteers do.”
Janet Austin
A stalwart of the Lions community group, Janet Austin currently is president of the Cobram Lions.
In the last financial year, Ms Austin was secretary of the club and in both capacities was pivotal in organising many community events.
Such events include barbecues outside of Mitre 10, the monthly markets at Federation Park, and the annual twilight Christmas market.
Ms Austin has also been a strong advocate for youth development, being involved with many initiatives such as the Junior Public Speaking, Youth of the Year and the Art Show.
She played a key role in setting up the Community Shower Program, with Cobram Community House’s Christine Osborne, which allows those suffering homelessness to have free warm showers.
Other activities undertaken by Ms Austin include teaching Bobbin lace and running the Sit and Sew craft group.
“I was totally overwhelmed, to be honest,” Ms Austin said.
“I have no idea who nominated me ... I just do what I do because I can, and I have the opportunity to do it through Lions and the other groups I am in.”
Margaret Watson
Charity and horses are two words one can associate with Margaret Watson.
For the past 13 years, Ms Watson has spearheaded the ‘Pacing for Pink,’ which is an initiative that has united Harness Racing World with the McGrath Foundation.
The subsequent campaigns to raise awareness around cancer has raised $450,000 and is expected to raise more than half a million dollars by the end of 2024.
Ms Watson is a life member of the Cobram and District Harness Racing Club, which she has supported in various capacities from catering to financial roles.
In 2023, Ms Watson was recognised for her contributions to the harness racing world with the Harness Racing Victoria Pearl Kelly Award.
Away from the track, Ms Watson has, for the last 40 years, organised and run junior badminton in Cobram.
Ms Watson was grateful for the recognition and surprised she was chosen.
“I felt very humbled to be chosen out the many in our community who do so much,” she said.
“It was a shock, I have no idea who nominated me. It was very generous of Renee, she does so much for our community through her business”
Carol Doherty
Assisting people with disabilities is somewhat of a calling.
And for Carol Doherty, that calling has seen her work with disabled children and adults as organiser of the Riding for the Disabled program.
Ms Doherty runs the program every fortnight at the Cobram Showgrounds, with school students as far as Finley travelling to participate.
The program allows those with disabilities a chance to have some fun and interact with the horses.