by Nicholas Duck
More than 140 people attended Trafalgar's annual Australia Day breakfast on Sunday, which also honoured local outstanding citizens.

Held at the public hall and once again hosted by well known local volunteer Wombat Lyons for the 14th - and final - time, the town's citizens of the year were presented before everyone dug into a breakfast prepared by the Trafalgar Lions Club.
The Trafalgar Junior Citizen of the Year award was presented to young local leader Ambrose Bajada, while the Citizens of the Year were mental health advocates Jason and Kerry Rantall.
Two posthumous Citizen of the Year awards were given to local business leaders Graham Davey and Neil Joiner, who both died last year.
Ambrose was recognised for his multiple leadership roles at Trafalgar High School as well as his dedication in the air force cadet program in Squadron 426 - Traralgon.
Ambrose held the role of school captain while chairing several student representative council meetings, ensuring his fellow students had a voice in the direction of their school.
Through his work in Squadron 426, he has been a mentor to other cadets and a chief instructor, helping to plan classes, drills, and various celebratory events.
Jason and Kerry Rantall have long been major advocates for mental health awareness and support in the community, opening their Bettermentall hub in town to provide a safe space and assistance to those in need.
Through the hub, the Rantalls have created a space where people can connect as well as take part in a variety of mental health related events such as workshops, youth catch-ups, men's support groups, counselling and mental health first aid training among others.
Jason's 'Have a Chat' run last year created headlines when he ran more than 3000km across 100 days to highlight the number of suicides in Australia in 2022.
Pushing his body to the absolute limit, Jason encouraged local community members to walk and chat with him along the way and to be open about their struggles, while he promoted local businesses and sponsors that supported him through the campaign.
Jason also was awarded a Baw Baw Shire Australia Day medallion in recognition of his efforts.
Graham Davey was recognised for his decades of involvement in the Trafalgar business sector, where he held numerous positions in the town's Chamber of Commerce during more than 40 years of involvement.
Graham and his wife Maria, who accepted the award on his behalf, operated Traf Men's and Boys wear for more than 30 years, generously supporting many sporting clubs and groups in that time.
Neil Joiner's passion for all things Holden was what led to the town's now famous Holden Museum.
The not-for-profit museum is run entirely by more than 60 volunteers and boasts a collection spanning 160 years of the brand and has boosted the town's tourism prospects significantly.
Neil's award was accepted by his children at the event, with his son Andrew talking about what Neil meant to Trafalgar.
Also among the speakers at the breakfast were Baw Baw Shire East Ward Cr Brendan Kingwill and local Scouts Angus Bowles and Micah Hicks, who provided a presentation on their recent adventure at the Scout Jamboree.
Right: Kerry and Jason Rantall were named joint Trafalgar Citizens of the Year and were presented with their award ahead of Sunday's official event when the award was accepted on their behalf by daughter Keely.

Below: Accepting their Trafalgar Citizen of the Year awards are Keely Rantall (on behalf of Jason and Kerry Rantall), Marie Davey (on behalf of Graham Davey, dec.), Ambrose Bajada and Annette Joiner (on behalf of Neil Joiner, dec.).