Volunteering Vivian’s passion

Federation Council’s reigning Citizen of the Year has been actively involved in key positions as a volunteer in Yarrawonga-Mulwala Arts Council (Across the Arts), Yarrawonga Neighbourhood House - Yarrawonga Education and Training, and Yarrawonga Health for many years.

Through her husband Andrew, Vivian described the national award as awesome but was unavailable for further comment following the very sad news last week with the passing of her mother.

“To me, Vivian is absolute number one community person because she will be involved in anything she believes needs to be done,” close friend and 2020 Federation Council Citizen of the Year, Liz Seeliger of Mulwala told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.

“She’s been involved in community committees ever since she and Andrew came to Yarrawonga/Mulwala in 1984.”

With Yarrawonga-Mulwala Arts Council, Mrs Spilva is secretary of the committee, a position she has held since 2012 after becoming a member in the 1990s.

She was Founding Coordinator and Organising Committee Member, Festival of 1000 Voices, 2018-2019, coordinator, Opera on the Lake, 2000-2004 and coordinator, Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow.

At Yarrawonga Health, since 2016, Mrs Spilva has been Chair, Helping Hands Committee which engages with the local community to fundraise for much needed equipment across all health facilities, and the provision of care meals and Anzac cookies during Covid lockdowns to the elderly and Defence service members.

When named

as Federation

Council’s top citizen on this year’s Australia Day, Vivian said volunteering is a passion she had for many years.

“I love volunteering. I love the people I meet. I wouldn’t have met such wonderful people if not for volunteering.”

For some 47 years, Mrs Spilva performed secretarial duties in the legal firm Andrew Spilva Stewart and Co Barrister and Solicitor; in the Institute of Legal Executives (Victoria), she is both Council Member and Fellow.

Mrs Spilva’s OAM recognition follows the same award given to husband, Andrew in 2018. Vivian Spilva OAM and Andrew LLB, OAM become the second husband/wife team in Mulwala to be awarded OAM status. The OAM status also applies to husband/wife team of Di and Doug Evans.

A huge passion for so much volunteering in various fields has led to Mulwala resident Vivian Spilva being named in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list for an OAM (Order of Australia Medal).