By Tate Papworth
Three Brimbank citizens have been awarded a medal of the Order of Australia for their significant contributions to the country.
Keilor’s Paul Freestone received his award for his contribution to the road transport industry, and to the community.
Mr Freestone set up Freestone Transport over three decades ago.
With just one truck, he’s seen his fleet expand to more than 80 and while proud of his achievements, he said it was a complete shock to receive the award.
“It’s very humbling and pretty hard to put into words,” he said.
“We’ve done a lot of work for the industry itself and spent many years working with governments on issues surrounding ports, rail, air and sea to try and contribute to Melbourne and Victoria, so it’s nice to be acknowledged.”
In Sunshine the Ilbijerri Theatre Company’s artistic director Rachael Maza was recognised for her significant service to the performing arts.
“I’m pretty overwhelmed, I remember when my dad got one and how proud he was,” Ms Maza said.
“There’s no question that I’ve loudly and proudly trodded in his footsteps and picked up the baton where he left off.”
Mz Maza said she will continue to tell stories from the nation’s first people.
“Its more than making theatre for me, its about communicating and educating.
“On the big scheme of things it’s who tells the narrative of this nation.
“Ultimately I want to shift the conversation in this country. We should celebrate, embrace and relish this extraordinary, ancient history.
“Nowhere in the world has what we have – a culture going back at least 60,0000 years.”
Meanwhile a lifetime in music and performing by Hillside’s John Lo Piccolo was also recognised.
Lo Piccolo – who has performed as John St Peeters since 1969 – was awarded the OAM for services to the performing arts, and said the announcement floored him.
Lo Piccolo first came to prominence as a child, when his early performances with his piano accordion on talent show ‘New Faces’ and Graham Kennedy’s ‘In Melbourne Tonight’ saw him become known as The Squeeze Box Kid.
“In many ways I didn’t have a normal childhood,” he said.
“I had a kidney condition which meant I couldn’t do the outdoor games that other kids were doing, and my dad was a musician so I started learning from him and that’s how it all started.”
At the municipality’s Australia Day ceremony, retired doctor and surgeon Dr Selvanayagam Selvendra was named the Brimbank citizen of the year.
After arriving in Australia from Sri Lanka in 1974, he set up in Sunshine, working in practices in West Sunshine and North Sunshine for 45 years.
Eangano Singehebhuye was named young citizen of the year for his involvement in the Football Empowerment, a program that aims to empower young people through sport.
