One of the first thoughts Fran Doig had when she was named Wangaratta’s citizen of the year was how many other volunteers deserved the award.
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But it was that very connection with the community that made the 80-year-old such a deserving recipient.
In 2017 Mrs Doig clocked up 50 years working as a coach or on the committee of the Wangaratta Netball Association, plus she volunteers for the Uniting Church and its op shop, Showcase Wangaratta which supports and provides a diverse range of exhibitions, Go Girls Breast Cancer Support Group as a survivor herself, Lifeball Wangaratta and Wangaratta Carevan.
She enjoys keeping active and learning new skills, plus the social cuppa that always comes along with her volunteer work.
“That’s what you need to do, otherwise you’ll stagnate and sit at home and watch telly,” she said.
“Civic service enriches and inspires all of us - we get lots of pleasure out of it and rewards.”
Mrs Doig used her position as citizen of the year to encourage others, even if they are an “old lady” as she described herself, to join up with the community groups which make Wangaratta a great place.
Mayor Ken Clarke described her as “a person of immense sincerity”.
“She is highly valued as a long-serving committee member, but of most value is the relationship she has developed over the years with the families of Wangaratta,” he said.
“She is now working with the grandchildren of some of the netball players she has mentored in the past.”
Young citizen of the year Darby Fullerton started the Kings, Queens and Aces LGBTQ youth support group after attending the Midsumma march in St Kilda last year and it has now become a place where people in Wangaratta can start engaging more with others.
“It’s a nice safe place for them to come and just relax,” the 18-year-old from Glenrowan said.
“Some of the people tend to not get out of the house and socialise, but having the group, there’s a little place for them to come.”
The Murmungee Giant Pumpkin and Harvest Festival was named community event of the year after raising a total of $11,000 for halls and community groups in Murmungee and Bowmans Forest since 2012.
Narelle Martin said it started after a discussion about food security and climate change, and evolved into a fun, alcohol-free event with a family focus and free activities for children.
“More important are the connections made. People who would never turn up to Landcare meetings are helping out on the day, running masterclasses, meeting others,” she said.
