John Atley has been named Rochester Citizen of the Year.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
John Atley has been honoured as Rochester’s Citizen of the Year in its Australia Day awards.
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The award recognises his lifelong service, dedication, leadership and contribution to the Rochester community.
Mr Atley joins two other winners, including 14-year-old Judd Cuttriss, who was crowned Junior Sportsperson of the Year, and Rochester Rotary Club, which took out Community Group of the Year.
Mr Atley grew up in the local community where attended St Joseph's Primary School from Prep to Year 10, before completing his education at Rochester Secondary College.
He went on to serve as a local policeman in Rochester for about 12 years and dedicated 31 years to Victoria Police, serving with distinction from 1993 until his retirement in 2024.
Mr Atley had an impressive policing career and received many accolades for his leadership and dedication, including a Divisional Commendation for saving the life of an elderly man.
He also received two Regional Commendations for his dedication to duty in the 2011 floods and for his outstanding response during the 2022 floods where he showed leadership and commitment in co-ordinating the evacuation of residents.
The award recognises his voluntary contributions to the local community, including coaching junior football for five years, basketball for one year, and serving as a member of the school council at Rochester Secondary College.
In 2021, Mr Atley became a member of the Rochester Lions Club, where he later stepped up as vice-president and then president in 2024.
Rochester Lions Club members Julianne Hand, Ann Chirnside, Paul Butler, Belinda Cooper Green, John Atley and Bruce Major volunteering at a community event.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
Under Mr Atley’s leadership, the Lions club earned a nomination for Volunteer Group of the Year and championed health programs including the Shane Warne Health Machine, mobile skin screening and eye testing at primary schools.
During 2025, his dedication to the community only grew.
He is an active member of the Mural Festival Committee, Sips and Sounds Festival Committee and was master of ceremonies at the 2025 launch of The Big Flood.
Today, Mr Atley continues serving his community as a welfare support worker at Rochester Secondary College, mentoring and guiding the next generation of young locals.
Mr Atley and other award recipients will be formally recognised for their achievements at the Rochester Australia Day breakfast on Monday, January 26.
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