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Maureen Halit
Maureen is a long-standing community leader from Millgrove, a close-knit town of just over 1,600 people in Victoria’s Yarra Valley.
A mother of three, grandmother to seven, and now a proud great-grandmother, her deep roots in the area span more than six decades.
Maureen spent over 50 years working in local retail, following earlier years in market gardening which gave her a strong, practical connection to the land and the people who call it home.
As President of the Millgrove Residents’ Action Group (MRAG), Maureen has been a driving force behind community-led planning and the development of local emergency preparedness hubs. MRAG itself was formed in 2005 in response to a negative media portrayal of the town which is something Maureen and others refused to accept. Instead, they mobilised, organised, and reshaped the narrative through action.
Her leadership is grounded in persistence, care, and a belief in what communities can achieve when they work together. This commitment has been recognised through her award as Yarra Ranges Citizen of the Year in 2025.
Maureen often reflects that Millgrove’s journey shows what’s possible when communities take the lead empowering them to self organise to build resilience, strengthening connections, and supporting one another through shared purpose and practical action.
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