By BRIDGET SCOTT
SOME of Lang Lang’s most committed community citizens were rewarded for their hard work and dedication on Sunday.
In true Australian style, around 100 people flooded the Lang Lang Community Centre to celebrate their country and the commitment of some of the small town’s finest residents.
Chairman of the Lang Lang Australia Day Committee Gordon Baker led the ceremony which played host to special guest and Australia Day ambassador Peter Sullivan.
Mr Sullivan touched on his long music career and his appreciation for true Australian style music.
Mr Sullivan said this time of year was the chance to appreciate the volunteers and the community which you belonged to.
Following his talk and a special appearance on the piano, well-known members of the township of Lang Lang were called up the stage to accept awards for their hard work and volunteering.
Joy Kaye, a resident of the town since 1988, was the humble recipient of Lang Lang Senior Citizen of the Year. There aren’t many aspects of Lang Lang which Joy had not been a part of.
Embracing the local fire brigade, her family manned the radio for the station and she was also a founding member of the Lang Lang and District Historical Society.
Mrs Kaye said it was an honour to receive the award and she thoroughly enjoyed her work with the historical society as well as the local senior citizens.
Following this presentation, Liz Wilson then named the Junior Citizen of the Year for Lang Lang which was Tori de Groot.
Former captain of the Lang Lang Primary School, the young volunteer helped run school assemblies and present awards each week.
Also a recipient of the Rotary Studentship award, it was the student’s mature approach to her work which really captured the attention of those around her.
Not enthused by the idea of Cross Country, Tori told her teachers and peers that you can’t expect others to give things a go if you aren’t prepared to try it out yourself.
Lynette Joy Wealands was the next award recipient, collecting more than one Community Service Award on the day.
Mrs Wealands was the award winner of not only the Lang Lang Community service Award, but also the Cardinia Shire Community Service Award.
A true child of Lang Lang, she returned to the town in 1998 where she had previously been the patrol leader of the Lang Lang Girl Guides and her step father was a local councillor.
For 11 years, Mrs Wealands devoted time to the Lang Lang and District Historical Society and became a respected pillar of the Lang Lang community.
Gildo Phillip Caldana was awarded Lang Lang Citizen of the Year as the finale of the presentations.
This dedicated community member’s commitments have been wide and varies, but many residents would safely agree the local cricket club and football club wouldn’t be the same without Mr Caldana’s impact and time.
A life member of the Lang Lang Football Club, Mr Caldana has gone from gate keeper to coach and secretary, while he has also maintained the position as treasurer of the cricket club.
Known as Crash to friends and family, Mr Caldana said Lang Lang was a place he would never turn his back on.
“I love this town and I don’t see any reason why I would ever want to leave,” he said.
