This week four years ago, Hoppers Crossing’s Julie Toner was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Now, she’s celebrating as Wyndham council’s citizen of the year.
The lifelong Wyndham resident, who is in remission, said her diagnosis had inspired her to raise funds for Bowel Cancer Australia to raise awareness of the illness.
She runs fundraisers that have raised almost $30,000 to date.
She has also spent decades raising money for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, and volunteered with Hoppers Crossing CFA, Werribee Mercy Hospital and Yerambooee Kindergarten.
But, she says, she doesn’t do it for the accolades.
“I’m still in shock after being named citizen of the year,” she said.
“I know I’ve worked hard, but I don’t do it for the recognition.
“I do it because I love it. I’ve grown up in Wyndham, and I’ve always believed you put into the community what you get out of it.”
Wyndham mayor Adele Hegedich said, despite Julie’s personal health struggles, she has never given up on her volunteer commitments.
“It would be difficult to find a more deserving recipient,” she said.
Julie, 44, also received a volunteer award in the community health and wellbeing category.
Other community volunteer awards for 2016 went to Rob Bradley (environment and sustainability), Terri Spearing (culture, arts and tourism), Zoe Bryant (young volunteer of the year), Gagan Sethi (sports and recreation), Catherine O’Connor (community engagement award) and Shoestring Gardening (community group award).
