A Newham resident with a strong sense of community has been acknowledged for his contribution in Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Australia Day awards.
The council presented Luke Spielvogel with a brand new award this year, the Connecting Communities Award.
Passionate about the value and power of community, Luke has been involved in a broad range of organisations, including the Woodend CFA, Newham Landcare and Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group.
He founded a campaign to bring respect and recognition to Hanging Rock, which involved more than 6000 residents, attracted millions of dollars in funding, saw Victorian Heritage Registration and even a book Hanging Rock – A History.
Luke said Hanging Rock was a special place deserving protection.
“As we seek to manage growth pressures in the Macedon Ranges, I think it’s really important we recognise the value of these places beyond just the economic,” he said.
“It’s important to our Indigenous and colonial heritage and environmentally, it’s one of last wild places that have yet to be overdeveloped and there was – and is – a danger that it could be spoiled.”
Luke also founded the community owned not-for-profit Rock and Ranges Brewing Co-operative with the ethos that ‘beer’s better together’. Open to all, the co-op seeks to create social opportunities and build community capacity.
Luke and his wife Megan and two local families recently took over the Newham General Store to ensure it continued to provide a local resource. It has become a vibrant community hub that showcases the region’s local produce.
Most recently in partnership with the shire council, Luke – who shares three daughters with Megan – has sought to provide a ‘sense of place’ for local youth with the establishment of Newham Youth Space.
“There’s a great opportunity living regionally to be the change you want to see,” he said, “…to create opportunities for collaboration with often under-resourced organisations like MRSC youth team.
“I think creating a sense of place for youth is something we’ve always struggled with in country towns, and this is a way we can demonstrate that our local youth are valued and just give them a place to hang out with their friends where they belong,” he said.
