JAKE SMITH, JEPARIT
Jake Smith of Jeparit has been announced as one of the recipients of Hindmarsh Shire Young Citizen of the Year for 2026.
Jake Smith was born in Nhill and lives in Jeparit. He attended the Jeparit Primary School and Dimboola Memorial Secondary College, before commencing work at Ahrens in Tarranyurk. Jake spends a lot of his time playing various sports such as golf, bowls, tennis and football for Jeparit, as well as volunteering at various community events such as the Jeparit Show, Jeparit Angling Club Fishing Competitions, Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum Rally, Jeparit RSL ANZAC Day service and Australia Day events. Jake jumps into action and gets things done without being asked and always does it all with a smile on his face.
Jake has been president for the Mopoke Club for the past two years. Mopoke Club is a group in Jeparit that was founded 75 years ago by local business owners who decided that no child should be without a gift on Christmas. Since joining, he has helped deliver a highly successful annual Santa visit – an event that brings joy to local families by providing every child from infancy to age 12 with a free gift, icy pole, bag of lollies and a drink. Jake has assisted locals with putting up Christmas decorations throughout Jeparit and has contributed to multiple fundraising activities throughout the year, demonstrating his remarkable commitment to Jeparit and surrounding communities.
On top of all that has been mentioned, Jake also volunteers for many community groups and clubs in Jeparit, ranging from volunteering at the Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum where he has assisted with setting up, cooking food, and packing up at their Rally events, to volunteering for the Jeparit A&P Society, Jeparit RSL, Jeparit CFA, Jeparit Angling Club, Southern Mallee Thunder Football Netball Club (formerly Jeparit Rainbow Football Netball Club), Jeparit Golf Club and Jeparit Tennis Club.
Congratulations Jake!
DAH LAY HTOO SHWE, NHILL
Dah Lay Htoo Shwe of Nhill has been announced as one of the recipients of Hindmarsh Shire Young Citizen of the Year for 2026.
Dah Lay Htoo Shwe, also known as ‘Star’, has had an extremely vital and positive impact on the Karen youth at Nhill College and the greater community. Star works as an Education Support Officer at Nhill College, where she supports and assists Karen students within the classroom. Her impact extends beyond this, as she also assists new families with enrolment, uniforms, accessing online platforms, ordering booklists and all communications with Nhill College as students settle in. Star also provides out of hours support to both students and their families and assists them with any queries they may have. Star’s caring and approachable nature draws students and parents to seek her support, which she willingly provides.
Star also supports students at the weekly homework club after school every Tuesday where she encourages students to complete all tasks and review their schoolwork. This is something that Star offers outside of her role at the Nhill College. She also takes the time to assist the Karen community with translating information to help them better understand how to sign up with the Nhill and District Sporting Club and more recently, the new Social Media laws that have been introduced for young people. Star is always enthusiastic and engaging and only wants the best for the youth that she works with.
On top of all the tremendous support she provides the community, Star also volunteers with her church and runs the youth group. This involves organising activities for the Karen youth to participate in, often organising meaningful day trips so that the youth can continue to learn and thrive under her guidance. Star also drives and picks up the Karen youth from their homes to take them to church and youth group. Her compassion for supporting the Karen youth is admirable and inspiring.
Congratulations Star!