Local garden volunteer Stella Hitchins honoured as 2026 Community Gem
Wonthaggi volunteer and community campaigner Stella Hitchins has been honoured as a 2026 Community Gem by State Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale MP.
WELL known Wonthaggi volunteer and community champion Stella Hitchins has been honoured as a 2026 Community Gem for the Bass electorate, receiving the prestigious annual recognition from Jordan Crugnale MP, State Member for Bass.
Now in its seventh year the Community Gem initiative invites residents across the electorate to nominate exceptional individuals who demonstrate outstanding selflessness, generosity, and community spirit.
With no strict categories or age limits, the only requirement is that nominees live or work within Bass. According to Ms Crugnale this year’s call-out resulted in an overwhelming influx of touching stories from schools, clubs, op-shops, and local businesses, highlighting the deep network of kindness throughout the region.
“Amongst an inspiring field of nominees Ms Hitchins stood out for her extraordinary grassroots dedication and all-heart commitment to the Wonthaggi Community Harvest Garden,” noted the award certificate.
Reflecting on the award Ms Hitchins thanked the retiring MP for her decades of service.
“She’s been a real benefit for the people of Wonthaggi and district donating seeds and bags and toothbrushes for use at the community garden and other groups,” she said.
Hitchins’ work as a grassroots campaigner and community volunteer began many years ago.
“I started community work when the children were small, as a scout and guide leader,” Hitchins recalled. Her community passion soon evolved into environmental activism.
“I started by protesting over a planning decision for a proposed industrial waste incinerator in Dandenong, a fight that we won. Locally, I protested against the desalination plant in Wonthaggi as part of the Watershed movement.”
Her recent efforts have focussed on food security. “I have been with the Community Harvest Centre for 15 years and we supply garden produce to the Wonthaggi Owls.”
Aged 81, Hitchins and her husband moved to Wonthaggi 30 years after living in Cape Paterson for 20 years and Dandenong before that. Her eldest son Oscar now acts as her carer. Despite health challenges Stella’s connection to the area remains strong.
“I’ve enjoyed my time in Wonthaggi and feel very lucky to be part of the community,” she said. “I am also a member of the Folks coffee group which meets every morning.”
According to Ms Crugnale the nominations she received described Hitchins as a pillar of quiet service and tireless generosity who constantly uplifts those around her.
“Beyond nurturing the local community garden, Hitchins plays a vital role behind the scenes in Bass’s regional welfare networks. She serves as a central hub for local support, actively organising, gathering, and distributing essential food items, clothing, and household goods to various relief centres across the region,” said Ms Crugnale.
“Her efforts ensure that critical resources reach the vulnerable families who need them most.” As part of her congratulatory message, Ms Crugnale praised Hitchins for embodying the very best of grassroots action.
"This exquisite gem of a person is you," Ms Crugnale stated, acknowledging Hitchins' profound philosophy of nurturing both the land and its people.
The Member for Bass extended her warmest wishes to Hitchins for a healthy, positive year ahead, noting that her remarkable contributions had left an indelible, treasured mark on the entire community.
