Bruce Hamblin and Jim Webb from Toolleen have been jointly crowned for their outstanding community contributions to their town.
The awards were announced at a civic ceremony in Echuca on Thursday, January 22, with Mr Webb initially named the winner of the award before a vote recount revealed the double honour.
As the proprietor of the Toolleen Hotel and Tin Shed for close to three decades, an event organiser, committee member and volunteer, Mr Webb is a community stalwart.
While he was unable to make it to the ceremony when his name was called, friends from the Mt Pleasant Football Netball Club were on hand to pick up his bouquet and pass the good news along.
“To be honest, I was just shocked. I’ve been here for 27 years, but I knew nothing about it,” Mr Webb said.
“Just looking after people in the community, a lot to do with the football club, the recreation reserve down here ― I suppose it’s added up.”
Mr Webb has also run the Toolleen post office for around 20 years, and is the volunteer caretaker of the Wayside Stop, maintaining public facilities for visitors and locals alike.
He has shown commitment to preserving the area’s heritage through the hotel’s blacksmith display and town signage, fostering pride in local history.
A day after the initial awards presentation, Campaspe Shire announced a recount of votes had revealed a second, joint winner for Citizen of the Year, with Mr Hamblin named as the award’s other half.
Mr Hamblin represents one of the few remaining members of Toolleen's founding families and stands as a pillar of Australia's agricultural heritage.
He has ensured important symbols of Toolleen’s local heritage are preserved for future generations, including safeguarding the time capsule from former Toolleen Primary School and assisting in relocating the school bell to the Toolleen Fire Brigade.
As a life member of the Toolleen Fire Brigade and the Mt Pleasant Football Netball Club, Mr Hamblin’s service has been practical and long-standing.
He has supported the upkeep of local facilities, contributed countless volunteer hours, and offered help during times of drought, fire, and flood. His quiet acts of kindness include regularly checking in on elderly residents by phone.
Having dedicated a lifetime to farming and livestock breeding, Mr Hamblin has judged livestock at more than 30 royal shows across Australia and served for many years on committees of the Heathcote Agricultural Society and the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show.
Mr Webb and Mr Hamblin was among seven Campaspe residents nominated for the award, including George Gemmill, Heather Watson, Scott Collins, Vonda Meloni and Warren Davies.
Campaspe Shire Mayor Daniel Mackrell congratulated the joint winners when he delivered the good news to the both of them in Toolleen recently.
He said the awards were an important way to recognise the dedication of those individuals such as Mr Hamblin and Mr Webb who make a difference across the shire.
“We are fortunate to have outstanding community members who selflessly give their time, skills, and energy to strengthen social connections, create opportunities, and improve the wellbeing of residents,” Cr Mackrell said.
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