THE shock of being nominated for Australian of the Year for Victoria has still not subsided for Sale resident Joey Blake, but she does not plan on slowing down anytime soon, as she balances family and work commitments with her dedication to the Animal Rescue Cooperative (ARC).

Ms Blake, who is the ARC Sale Hub coordinator, says she was speechless when she found out she was nominated.

“I was shocked. I’m still shocked. Shaking the Governor’s hand, that’s a big thing to do. I didn’t even think about winning, I was just shocked that I was nominated,” she said.

The 2023 Victorian Australian of the Year recipients were announced on November 8 at a ceremony at Government House in Melbourne.

From a selection of 16 nominees, four Victorians were named as the state-based recipients of the 2023 Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Local Hero of the Year and Senior Australian of the Year awards.

“I added another once in a lifetime event to my bucket list. It came down to the last four … for Victorian Local Hero,” Ms Blake said.

“The three of us were pipped at the post by another amazing human, and I couldn’t be happier for her. What a journey and humbling life experience.”

Belinda Young, founder of the Mums of the Hills Facebook group in 2015, became 2023’s Victorian Local Hero of the Year.

Ms Blake said she was completely overwhelmed by the enormity of the whole experience.

“Being a country girl, I was blown away by just being in the big smoke – I haven’t ventured out that way for at least five years – let alone what was about to follow,” she said.

“While I was sitting on my gold chair waiting for the time to stand up and collect my certificate of community achievement, I rehashed the last three years of what life as a volunteer had been like.”

As someone who rescued animals in Gippsland during the Black Summer bushfires and the floods, as well as delivering food to pets of people in isolation during the COVID-19 lockdowns, Ms Blake has plenty to be proud of.

The Animal Rescue Cooperative is a registered charity, founded in 2019, in response to the bushfires in East Gippsland and surrounding areas.

The ARC’s mission is to save animals by providing support programs and supply donations helping rescuers, peak bodies, and aligned industry partners to get help where it is needed.

“It was a collaboration of volunteers here to start with, but it’s gone across Australia now,” Ms Blake said.

“I was the only one here in Gippsland, running all of Victoria, but they’ve set a hub up in Melbourne now to help me out. From there, it’s just continuing to grow and grow.

“Every time there is a mass weather event or there are issues with animals and rescue, we help out with donated food.

“Due to family living in Lismore, I was able to establish an instant support hub for vets and volunteers to obtain supplies from, from there the other states, ARC team were able to deliver and coordinate supplies to and from that point.

Sale ARC hub also continually supplied donations of animal support to the Kingdom of Tonga, before, during, and post the tragic Tongan volcano and tsunami.

“This is made possible by collaboration with ex-defence friends. From being in the army together, we had formed a strong bond that we now utilise to support the Kingdom of Tonga and it’s people and animals,” Ms Blake said.

ARC works with Ramahyuck and GEGAC (Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative), and supports mental health clients and domestic violence victims with their animals.

“Some clients love their animals more than themselves or their families. They provide comfort for those who have suffered trauma,” Ms Blake said.

“They spend money for pet food before rent or their own food.”

With clients and animals everywhere needing support, ARC is calling for more volunteers, sponsors and donations.

“My main focus is to build community awareness towards ARC being a local charity, and support Victorian and Gippsland communities going through hardship; obtain local sponsorships and support from larger organisations; and outreach to mental health clients and those affected by domestic and family violence,” Ms Blake said.

“We’re looking for donations such as food, toys, collars, leads, coats and medical supplies to help us rescue animals across the state. For both humans and animals, we’d love to get donations of toiletries and personal hygiene. Or Christmas gifts for animals.

“If you want to volunteer we have plenty of jobs … unloading B-doubles carrying pallets of donated support – that never stops.

“We have a huge warehouse continually being emptied and restocked, and our volunteers help and support our clients and their family and friends.”

To get involved, email joey@arcsupport.org.au or go to arcsupport.org.au