Ms Durston’s tireless volunteer work as president of the Glenlyon Progress Association (GPA) and Shire Hall Committee of Management was recognised through the certificate of appreciation. 

Although she vacated her position as president at the Committee of Management’s Annual General Meeting in August, she is now the committee’s treasurer. 

A humble achiever, Ms Durston was not aware she was set to receive the award, rather, she believed she was attending a morning tea at the hall with friends. It was, therefore, a big surprise. 

Ms Durston has been instrumental in the project to improve the Glenlyon Hall.

Over the past six years, she undertook the preparatory planning and led the project, including managing a $400,000 budget, comprised of funds sourced from local and state government, a bank, and money fundraised by the GPA. 

Additionally, she coordinated the architect and builder, while also organising a number of volunteer working bees to complete tasks such as moving furniture and painting replacement weatherboards to keep the cost of the project down. To her credit, she assisted in completing the project in the time set and within the budget. 

Newly appointed GPA president, Marilyn Beaumont, said the hall was the heart of the Glenlyon community as a result of Ms Durston’s work.

Moreover, she has been a driving force behind major community events including the Glenlyon Food and Wine Fayre, the Glenlyon Art Show, monthly community dinners and the Christmas Fair, while she was also a major player in obtaining funding for an Artist in Residency grant for the Nature Devours Art sculpture project, to be held in November this year. She also has a major role of treasurer in the Glenlyon Upper Loddon Landcare Group.