Cr. Tim Drylie, Mayor of Hepburn Shire (left) awarding 2020 
'Citizen of the Year' to Rotarian Danny Moynihan (centre)
Danny with his very proud family after the awards
ceremony held at the Hepburn Springs Mineral Reserve
  
On Australia Day eve, Hepburn Shire Mayor, Tim Drylie, named long-time Daylesford Rotarian Danny Moynihan as 2022 ‘Citizen of the Year’ in recognition of his service to the wider community in many roles over the past 37 years. “He is a quiet achiever. Once he makes a commitment to be involved in a community cause or project he is there for the long haul,” remarked Cr Drylie at the Community Awards and Civic Ceremony held on 25 January 2022 in the Hepburn Springs Mineral Reserve.
 
Danny Moynihan has been involved in at least 24 community organisations and causes, and he is still actively involved in 11 of these. His volunteer commitment has been and continues to be immense, as confirmed by the seven Referees who have provided written references.
 
Danny and his late wife, Roz, ran the Daylesford Post Office from 1984 till 2006. They both were heavily involved in many community roles and causes. With Roz passing in 2013, Danny continued and increased his involvement in a diversity of voluntary community roles and causes.
 
Danny has been a member of the Daylesford Rotary Club for the past 36 years and was elected as President for one term, Secretary, Treasurer, International Service Director and other roles many times. He received the Rotary Club Service Award twice, honoured as the Paul Harris Fellow and serves as a member of Daylesford Art Show Committee.
 
His other community service activities include many years’ active involvement in the following:
  • Hepburn Regional Community Cheer Committee
  • ChillOut
  • Daylesford Good Grub Club
  • Hepburn Shire’s White Ribbon campaign against Family Violence
  • Daylesford Hepburn United Soccer Club Junior group
  • Hepburn Shire Neighbourhood Watch
  • Daylesford Agricultural Show
  • Daylesford Community Op Shop
  • Daylesford Indoor Recreation Facility Organising Committee
  • Community Based Bushfire Mitigation Group
  • Daylesford Hospital Redevelopment Fundraising Committee
  • Member of Daylesford Hospital Redevelopment Committee
  • Daylesford Scouts Management Committee member
  • Daylesford Girl Guides Management Committee
  • New Year’s Eve Parade
  • Daylesford Speedway
  • Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal local organising committee
  • Daylesford RSL
  • Very Special Kids Annual Appeal helping to raise funds and awareness for children with life threatening health conditions
  • Daylesford Probus
  • Daylesford Gift run on New Year’s Day to raise funds for Camp Quality
  • Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal street collection
“Danny Moynihan is someone who, when he sees a need in the community, he then gets involved on a long-term commitment. He takes many lead roles as well as mentoring others. He is an amazing role model for others,” wrote Victor Szwed in the nomination document.
 
In accepting the Hepburn Shire 2022 ‘Citizen of the Year’ award, Danny thanked the Hepburn Shire and Mayor Tim Drylie’s for the community award day, the Hon Catherine King MP and Mary-Anne Thomas MLA for attending, Victor Szwed for nominating him and all those who contributed to the application.
 
Danny thanked his “family, Justin, Natalie, Joel and Wynter, for their love and encouragement over the past 38 years here in Daylesford. To my late wife Roz, who was a partner in most or all of the organisation previously mentioned.
 
"It has been a pleasure to work alongside so many terrific volunteers, on too many organisations to mention here. To any young persons who have thoughts regarding volunteering, I say ‘go for it’. You always get back much more than you put in.
 
Daylesford is a wonderful town to find friends through the community volunteering and unfortunately some are getting older now, so it’s a good time to step up, if you can.
 
Lastly Happy Birthday for tomorrow to my son Justin, who happens to be an Australia Day birthday boy.
 
Thank you all today,” concluded Danny in accepting his award.
 
CONGRATULATIONS DANNY on your well-deserved award!