Tuesday, 27 January, 2026
Pet food donations flood Lilydale CFA
Homelessness demand rises across the outer east
Farewelling croquet’s Alan Jones
See Real Estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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George McDonald was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2026 for his service to badminton. (Stewart Chambers: 275034)
Montrose Community Cupboard co-founder and president Pat Natoli. (Yarra Ranges Council Jesse Graham)
Jim Richards received an Honorary Member of the Order of Australia recognition on 26 January 2026. (Supplied)
Honours received (OAM) for his contribution to the sport of badminton, but was recognised for his service to many other groups and organisations in the Mooroolbark and Kilsyth area. Experiencing the challenges of finding his career path, Kilsyth’s Lionel Parrott spent decades helping young people explore their options and decide what was right for them as a guidance counsellor at Monash University. He was recognised for this service with an OAM. Meanwhile, Mount Evelyn’s Terence Dunn received an OAM for lifelong service to community sport, inspiring generations of students, athletes, and local sports clubs through his teaching, mentoring, and veteran cricket involvement. O’Shannassy Ward councillor Jim Child was
honoured for his dedication to local government, guiding the Yarra Ranges through the 2021 storms, Covid-19 recovery, and numerous community infrastructure projects that have strengthened local services and resilience. Yarra Ranges Council awards also highlighted community and environmental achievement. The Montrose Township Group was named Community Group of the Year for connecting residents through events, historical programs, and recovery initiatives, while Montrose Community Cupboard co-founder Patrick Natoli was recognised as Environmental Achiever of the Year for diverting hundreds of tonnes of food from landfill and fostering inclusion through community meals.
Thirteen-year-old Ferny Creek resident Coen Pearson earned Young Environmental Achiever of the Year for his citizen science work, wildlife advocacy, and co-founding the NextGen Hills Naturalists podcast, inspiring peers and the wider community. Heath Pawley was acknowledged for his role in fostering wellbeing and inclusion through Mountain Men, creating supportive networks, father-focused programs, and collaborative community initiatives. And the Upper Yarra’s Gordon Buller received the Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and service to the Yarra Ranges. To read these remarkable stories, see pages 6 to 16
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The 2026 Australia Day Honours and Yarra Ranges Council Civic Awards have celebrated a remarkable array of individuals and groups who have made lasting contributions to their communities, the environment, arts, and sport, highlighting both the dedication and diversity of talent across the region. New Zealand-born race car driver, who now calls Mooroolbark home, Jim Richards was recognised for his decades of racing in some of Australia’s leading competitions and his contributions to motorsport outside of his career. He was bestowed an Honorary Member of the Order of Australia (AM), one of the highest recognitions in Australia. Mooroolbark’s George McDonald was also granted an Honorary Order of Australia Medal
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