Nominations for the Moira Achiever Awards are now open, giving you the chance to recognise an individual, community group, event or project for their remarkable achievements and dedication.
Nominations are open to everyone living in Moira Shire, with the awards to be presented at a gala evening on April 23.
Moira Shire Council chair administrator Graeme Emonson hopes to see a large number of nominations for the 2026 awards.
2026 award categories include Star Achiever of the Year, Young Star Achiever of the Year (aged up to 16), Shining Star Achiever of the Year (aged 16-24), Community Star Achiever of the Year (event or organisation) and ACE Star Achiever of the Year (arts/culture/environment project).
Nominations close on Saturday, February 28.
For information or to nominate an achiever, go to www.moira.vic.gov.au/Community/Awards/Moira-Achiever-Awards-2026
Be on butterfly watch
While most of us have struggled with recent high temperatures, there’s one group of locals loving the heat.
The Eltham copper butterfly was once widespread in dry open forests from Melbourne to western Victoria.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority is working with local communities to help the Eltham copper butterfly and prevent its extinction. And they need your help.
The North Central CMA is keen to discover if there are any more population of the Eltham copper butterfly and is calling on the community to keep an eye out.
Their flight season usually ends by mid-March, so now is the best chance to get out and find them. They tend to be flying on hot, sunny, still days.
The best way to record them is to snap a photo and upload it to the iNaturalist app.
Find out more about the Eltham copper butterfly at www.nccma.vic.gov.au/elthamcopperbutterfly