
Jason and Kerry Rantall
Jason and Kerry are passionate about supporting and improving our community by sharing their own challenges with mental health, and they have made a significant impact by opening the community hub, Bettermentall, in Trafalgar.
Together, they have created a safe and relaxed place where people can connect, learn about resources available, and build self-help with support. The hub has workshops, youth catch-up weekly, a men’s mental health group, mental health first aid and counselling, visiting speakers, and many referral opportunities to deal with anxiety and mental illness, “to help people take that first step towards recovery and healing.”
As a youth mental health first aid instructor, Kerry’s aim was to help those with bipolar and their families in a quest for a normal life, starting with helping Jason through his addictions, and now expanding her support and experience to our community. Jason has transformed from barely surviving to flourishing and being an excellent role model, making small changes and practising healthy lifestyle choices.
In his encouragement for people to believe in themselves, Jason promoted these ideals with the Have a Chat Run for Mental Health and Wellbeing last year.
Highlighting the 3299 suicides in Australia in 2022, and their impact on families and loved ones, Jason invited community members to walk and chat with him for the same number of kms over 100 days. He promoted local businesses or community members who sponsored and shared his beliefs of a healthier and informed life, and his daily experiences were widely documented in the media.
Bettermentall is a privately operated not-for-profit community service and depends solely on donations for its survival. From the Trafalgar community, thank you Jason and Kerry.
Jason and Kerry spoke through Traf District News. “We thank the community for this recognition with the Australia Day award. While we deeply appreciate this gesture, we want to emphasize that our work is always driven by passion and commitment to making a positive impact, not for recognition. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a community that values these efforts.
“We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the community for their ongoing support—without them, Bettermentall would not be what it is today. Together, with the community’s support, we are building a more healthy, vibrant, and safe community.”
Ambrose Bajada – Trafalgar Junior Citizen of The Year
Ambrose has proven to be an outstanding example of leadership, in both his Trafalgar High School community and his many roles within the air force cadet program in Squadron 426 – Traralgon.
Prior to and during his position as a school captain, Ambrose attended school council meetings to both share his views as a young leader and also to offer students a voice. He has chaired several Student Representative Council meetings for the junior and senior SRC groups, as well as supporting several specialist leadership teams, including the Performing Arts and Community Events captains. He has led many school assemblies during 2024, including the election of the 2025 leadership team.
In his own time outside school hours, Ambrose has attended evening sessions and committed to training weekends with the 426 Squadron over many years. He has been a mentor to younger and lower ranked cadets and a chief instructor, supporting class planning, drill preparation, and executive training. He has shown a real passion for the planning of celebration events and supporting the ongoing Legacy Appeal, including leading ANZAC Day events in 2024. In 2023 he played a key role in supporting his squadron’s participation in air shows and in open days.
Well done Ambrose, and thank you from the Trafalgar community.
Editor’s Note: Traf District News will feature more about Ambrose in a future edition.
Graham Davey (Posthumous Award)
Graham Davey was a stalwart of the Trafalgar business and wider community and his dedication and passion for community was an inspiration.
Graham was very active with the Trafalgar Chamber of Commerce and Industry for more than forty years, which earned him a life membership. He was known for good humour, friendships and his historical perspective on local issues.
Graham and his wife Maria, operated Traf Men’s and Boy’s Wear for more than 30 years. They were well known for their generous support of local sports clubs and groups.
Neil Joiner (Posthumous Award)
Neil Joiner is well remembered for his passion for the Holden brand and the impact he made on establishing a nationally significant museum here in Trafalgar. This not-for-profit museum is run entirely by more than 60 volunteers, also eager to share their knowledge of the Holden related exhibits.
Following his very successful business career, Neil and his wife Annette, purchased and improved to museum standard, the old, disused Trafalgar Butter Factory premises. Neil’s vision has seen Holden-related exhibits that boast an impressive collection spanning 160 years of development.
Editor’s Note: Traf District News published a eulogy to Graham Davey in the April 2024 edition and Neil Joiner in the August 2024 edition, which can be downloaded from www.trafnews.com