This award honours and celebrates the legacy of Corale Oberin, whose tireless dedication and unwavering commitment has left a lasting mark on the Echuca Moama community.

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A true pillar of strength, Corale devoted her life to her family, local community and hospitality.

Corale’s authenticity and passion for building human connections through supporting community projects as well as striving for hospitality excellence, enriched the lives of those around her and has potentially shaped the future of our community, in ways that will be felt for generations to come.

 

The International Women's Day inaugural 2026 Corale Oberin Hospitality Scholarship was awarded to a woman from across the Campaspe or Murray LGAs to pursue education or training that will contribute towards our local hospitality industry.

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Applications have now closed. The winners were announced at C4EM's International Women's Day event on Sunday, March 1 at Rich River Golf Club's Tatalia Room.

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The winners were:  

Lei Castilla — Riverbank Moama
Arriving with little experience but enormous determination, Lei has grown into an exceptional Chef de Partie in under three years. Known affectionately as the “kitchen mother”, she leads with calmness, kindness, and an unwavering work ethic.
Lei now confidently runs the kitchen pass, mentors new team members, and brings warmth to every service — even the busiest of the year. Having completed her cookery and kitchen management qualifications, she is now pursuing business management to further her leadership journey.

Phoebe Keech — Rich River Golf Club
With nearly a decade of service to Rich River, Phoebe now excels as Functions Coordinator, significantly growing both the volume and quality of events at the club. She brings creativity, dedication, and a deep commitment to exceptional guest experiences.
Beyond work, Phoebe gives back to her community through her football club — all while raising three young children. Dependable, collaborative, and endlessly committed, she is a valued leader both professionally and personally.

Tiharn Duncan — The Wren Courtyard
Beginning as a casual employee, Tiharn quickly proved herself as a natural leader with a deep passion for hospitality. She now manages the café in the owners’ absence, trusted completely for her calm professionalism, reliability, and community‑minded approach.
A proud local, she treats every guest like family and represents the very best of regional hospitality. With her steady drive to learn and grow, she is already shaping the future of her workplace and community.

It is envisioned that this will be an annual award.

For selection criteria, please click here.