Council
23 February, 2023
McCosh Named Citizen of the Year
Koroit’s Alistair McCosh was named Moyne Shire Council’s 2023 Citizen of the Year. The announcement was made during Moyne Shire’s Australia Day celebrations at Koroit’s Village Green.
Moyne Shire mayor Karen Foster said Mr McCosh had an unwavering commitment to helping improve regional education attainment and had spent countless hours volunteering for various groups and organisations.
“Alistair is a quiet and modest behind-the-scenes achiever and a highly respected member of the Koroit and wider south-west communities,” Cr Foster said.
“Alistair is a past president of the Koroit Football Netball Club, a junior football coach and president, committee member of the Koroit Irish Festival, deputy chair of Moyne Health Service, school council president, director of Beyond the Bell and former deputy chair of Food and Fibre Great South Coast.
“He has also had significant involvement in various local projects and events, including the Tower Hill Challenge endurance event.”
Cr Foster said Mr McCosh had also been a champion of education through his work as head of Deakin University’s Warrnambool Campus, helping to “establish greater connection and collaboration between the University and the community, which has been mutually advantageous”.
“Alistair has been instrumental in retaining and expanding courses and programs at the campus which has significant benefit for the whole south-west region,” she said.
“The importance of a locally based university campus for helping to improve education attainment cannot be understated and Alistair’s passion and drive has been vital in ensuring Deakin has a presence in Warrnambool and the south-west.
“Alistair is an active, influential and well-respected member of the Koroit and south-west community and I’m very proud to present him with this award.”
Killarney’s Mitchell Spencer was named Moyne’s Young Citizen of the Year.
Mitchell owns and runs Bottega Toscana Restaurant in Port Fairy – a business he bought at age 18.
Cr Foster said during the COVID pandemic, Mitchell worked around the clock, refusing to lay off staff and forwent his own wage while supporting local musicians and the community.
“During the second lockdown, Mitchell decided to do something positive and gave away free meals to the community – something he continued in subsequent lockdowns,” she said.
“Mitchell is devoted to helping people and organisations doing it tough and giving back to the community wherever he can.
“Mitchell has donated over 300 kids meals to Port Fairy Nippers, donated over $3000 to flood victims, was the gold sponsor for Under 18 Southwest Womens Soccer team and has also sponsored local events.
“I cannot think of a young person who better fits this award which aims to recognise people aged under 30 who have provided outstanding service and contribution to the community.”
The Heather Holcombe Melbourne Cup Luncheon was named the Community Event of the Year.
Cr Foster said the annual lunch had run for the past 21 years and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer care, support and research.
“The luncheon raised funds to furnish a palliative care room at the Port Fairy Hospital, known as the Heather Holcombe Room, and has made significant donations to Peter’s Project and supported breast care nurses,” she said.
