Fundraising, bushfire recovery and environmental protection topped East Gippsland Shire’s annual Australia Day awards last Saturday at Newlands Arm Community Centre. 
Tillyrose Hambling, of Orbost, earned the Young Citizen of the Year for her numerous charity fundraising efforts and achievements; Sarsfield Community Association’s Simon Hof was recognised as the shire’s Citizen of the Year for his tireless work in Sarsfield’s ongoing bushfire rebuild; while Bairnsdale Urban Landcare’s National Tree Day was announced the Community Event of the Year. Tillyrose is a fundraising dynamo.
She is a fundraising leader for her school and has raised funds for multiple foundations throughout her young life.
Tillyrose was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age seven.
When she was nine, she raised $1500 for charity by cutting off her waist-length hair, which was used to make wigs for sick children.
Taking part in STEPtember, Tilly-rose and her family raised $3000 for a cerebral palsy charity.

IMAGE: Citizen of the Year Simon Hof (Australia Day Awards), Young Citizen of the Year, Tillyrose Hambling and East Gippsland Shire Council mayor Cr
Mark Reeves at last Saturday’s East Gippsland Shire’s annual Australia Day awards ceremony at Newlands Arm.