By RUSSELL BENNETT
FEW hills communities honour their favourite sons and daughters as well as Cockatoo.
And its Australia Day celebrations on Sunday again raised the bar as the tireless, community-minded Owen Deppeler was named Cockatoo’s Citizen of the Year for 2014.
Originally a Mallee boy – from a Kerang dairy farm – Mr Deppeler moved to Cockatoo in the early 2000s and straight away sought to play an active role in his new home town.
He set about working on a range of community projects, which included the Hills Community Garden.
He later went on to chair the Cockatoo Township Committee and play a key role in setting up the local men’s shed – to promote men’s health and support local men within the community who may be feeling isolated and in need of a sense of belonging.
More than 40 men turned up for the first meeting – validating Mr Deppeler’s belief in the project.
He has since helped established ‘The Local’ newsletter for hills communities Gembrook, Cockatoo and Emerald and has provided inspiration for other Cockatoo residents to play a part in setting the future direction of their town.
In a gracious acceptance speech after receiving his Citizen of the Year award from local legend and former Cockatoo fire brigade captain Graham Simpson, Mr Deppeler also thanked a host of other well-respected residents including Dot Griffin and Leticia Wilmot. All four banded together in the fight to save Cockatoo’s McBride Street kindergarten.
Mr Deppeler said he loved hearing a range of voices provide input into Cockatoo’s future and pleaded with those in attendance at Alma Treloar Reserve to play an active role.
“Afterall, we are only limited by our own imaginations,” he said.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin led the affirmation on Sunday morning, while Cardinia’s Ranges Ward councillors Brett Owen, Tania Baxter and Ms Wilmot also played a part in a sing-along during the service.
