A POLAR explorer and a man who rescued another during a bushfire were among those to receive Australian Honours at a special reception at the Bendigo Town Hall on Monday.
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The biennual awards recognise City of Greater Bendigo residents who have received an Australian honour during 2013 and 2014.
This year's recipients included former Australia Day 2013 and 2014 award recipients and 2013 and 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours recipients, among others.
Before presenting the awards, Cr Cox said the honours were given to "recognise, celebrate and say thanks to those who make a difference to those in their communities, those who achieve their best and those who serve others".
He said the 12 joined about 180 others in central Victoria to have received an Australian Honour since the system began in 1975.
The first of 12 residents to receive honours was Ms Linda Beilharz OAM, the 2013 City of Greater Bendigo citizen of the year who was awarded an Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day 2013 for service to the community and to polar exploration.
"In 2004, Linda was the first Australian woman to ski from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole. She went on to become the first Australian woman to also traverse the North Pole in 2010," Cr Cox said.
Bravery Medal 2014 award recipient Michael Ryan was honoured for his bravery in rescuing one person and attempting to save another trapped by a bushfire at Long Gully on February 7, 2009.
City of Greater Bendigo councillor Rod Fyffe was honoured for his service to the community and local government, including his three stints as mayor.
Other honours went to Australian Fire Service Medal 2013 recipient Andrew Howlett, Reverend Andrew Curnow OAM, Brian Lenten OAM, John Burke OAM, Graham Alastair Allen OAM, Norman Bowen AFSM OAM, John Edward Higgs OAM, Edward Rankins OAM and Joyce Trimble OAM.
In finishing, Cr Cox said he was not only delighted but honoured to present the awards.
"On behalf of the City of Greater Bendigo, I’d like to congratulate all of our Australian Honour recipients.
"The community continues to recognise the efforts, achievements and the contributions you have made to our nation."
The reception was the fifth reception held to present the city's Australian Honours since 2007.
