News / Featured / Sport / Education / Business / 27th January 2023
Worthy winners of Australia Day awards
On Australia Day 2023 communities across the Warrumbungle local government area came together to “Reflect, Respect and Celebrate” what’s great about our country, our local communities and some outstanding local achievers.
The Warrumbungle Shire Council’s Australia Day Awards recipients are luminary citizens who represent and serve the community in many ways.
On Thursday, 26 January 2023, councillors joined community members and the visiting Australia Day Ambassadors at events across the local government area. Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Ambrose Doolan, attended events in Binnaway, Baradine and Coonabarabran.
“It was great to attend some of the local events and celebrate Australia Day with so many people in our communities”, said Cr Doolan.
“As part of the celebrations, I and the other councillors were pleased to present some very worthy recipients with Warrumbungle Shire Council Australia Day Awards for 2023.”
Cr Doolan said, “We had many high-quality nominations for this year’s awards and the Selection Committee was challenged in making the final choices.
The awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the things we most value about our local communities and recognise people for their outstanding achievements and contributions. I would like to take this opportunity to again congratulate not only the award recipients but all the nominees,” concluded Cr Doolan.
Recipients of the 2023 Warrumbungle Shire Council Australia Day Awards:
Citizen of the Year
Rhonda Jewiss (COONABARABRAN)
Rhonda Jewiss is presented with the Citizen of the Year award by Australia Day Ambassador, Ron Delezio.
Rhonda Jewiss has lived in Coonabarabran all her life and has proved to be an outstanding member of our community.
She is always enthusiastic and concerned about the appearance of our town and the wellbeing of its people.
Rhonda has operated her gift shop, Prezzies, for over 30 years, enhancing the main street with her stunning window displays.
As a member of the Town Beautification Committee that designed and brought to fruition the Little Timor Street Plaza, Rhonda has taken on the responsibility of checking it each morning for cleanliness as well as watering and planting around the potted trees when needed.
Rhonda is a genuine indication of someone who loves her town and its people.
Prezzies has been a drop off point for memberships and bus trip fees for Senior Citizens, a service she has provided since the inception of her shop. Over the time, the same service has helped the Garden Club, the VIEW Club and out-of-towners who can collect items dropped off, when they come to town.
Schools and other organisations rely on Rhonda for their bookings for balls and concerts, all done willingly and happily.
As a member of the Chamber of Commerce for over 30 years, Rhonda’s enthusiasm when helping to organise special functions such as the Bunny Bazaar and Christmas functions has been appreciated by the Chamber and the public.
Rhonda is a sponsor of the Senior Citizens hour on our local radio station 2WCRFM, the PAI&H Association in Coonabarabran, the Binnaway and Baradine shows and the North West Equestrian Expo, as well as donating to many organisations and charities in the Shire.
At present, Rhonda is a member of the Garden Club, vice president of the VIEW Club that supports four Learning for Life students, volunteers for Driver Reviver and is an active member of the Coonabarabran Arts Council.
Previously she has held senior positions in both the Scouts and Girl Guide movements and, with her husband Gordon, hosted many students through the Rotary Exchange organisation.
Rhonda is a genuine indication of someone who loves her town and its people.
Senior Citizen of the Year
Robert Cox (COONABARABRAN)
Robert Cox receives his Senior Citizen of the Year award by Australia Day Ambassador, Ron Delezio.
Robert Cox is a quiet, unassuming person who goes about what he thinks is normal life, but impacts many with his good will.
He has been a member of many organisations over the years including more than 30 years with the Coonabarabran Rugby League Football Club, holding many positions on the executive, being acknowledged as Life Member and being an amazing sports trainer.
Robert has also represented Coonabarabran as a sports trainer with Country Rugby League First Team in 1986 and again in 1996 where he and his daughter Diane were the first father- daughter combination to be sports trainers for the Country teams.
More recently, Robert is a member of the Coonabarabran Rotary Club and has been for several years.
He is the Club’s catering director and organises anything Rotary in respect to the catering with the help and back- up of his lovely wife, Rowanne.
Together they organise and cater for many events, including the major event of the North West Equestrian Expo, which is Rotary’s main fund-raising event.
Robert also plays an integral part of the RYDA program (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness), where he uses his expertise of over 40 years as a driving instructor, showing the kids the importance of knowing your environment and the stopping capabilities of vehicles at various speeds and stopping lengths.
Robert played his part in the many events that Rotary was a part of including the recovery from the Wambelong fires and his continued work that he did with Rotary feeding the many volunteers that came to Coonabarabran after the fires in Blaze Aid.
Robert dedicated many hours to ensuring that all these efforts ran smoothly.
In 2013 The Rotary Club of Coonabarabran awarded a prestigious Paul Harris Fellow to Robert in recognition of the many hours of voluntary work, not only for Rotary but the wider community.
Robert is a kind, caring man who goes about trying to ensure that anyone with health issues knows they are not alone on their journey of recovery.
Robert has contributed to safe- driving programs and has been in communication with various political figures trying to ensure that Coonabarabran retains its RMS driver testing facilities.
Robert helps out WAR-FM radio with the mowing and upkeep of the lawn and gardens around the WARFM radio building; all in his own time, at his own expense and just to help the community.
Robert helps anyone and everyone. He takes community members to medical appointments in Sydney, Dubbo and Orange.
He is a kind, caring man who goes about trying to ensure that anyone with health issues knows they are not alone on their journey of recovery.
Robert has been a part of many organisations over the years including, rugby league, softball, volleyball, basketball, indoor hockey, field hockey, Blue Light Discos, just to name a few.
He has always been a reliable man who has played his part in making sure all these organisations were functional, financial and a fun place for people to enjoy a game.
Robert is well known in the community, he is well respected and well deserving of Senior Citizen of the Year.
Sportsperson of the Year
Madeline Wilson (COONABARABRAN)
Madeline Wilson accepts the Warrumbungle Shire Sportsperson of the Year award from Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton.
Madeline Wilson is an outstanding athlete across a range of endeavours.
A successful boxer, having won four NSW titles in recent years, she commenced 2022 with a successful exhibition bout in Sydney.
Outside the ring, Madeline has mentored many young people at the local gym, enhancing their fitness and encouraging them to train with determination to meet their goals.
Similarly, whilst undertaking her own training to support her successful completion of her first triathlon, she voluntarily coached young people who were seeking to increase their fitness and thereby strengthen their skills as competitive swimmers.
Madeline’s colleagues view her as a talented and exemplary ambassador for a sporting life.
Throughout this year’s rugby union season Madeline volunteered her time as the strapper and medic for the Coonabarabran Kookas, drawing upon her extensive knowledge of fitness to support the team all the way to a grand final.
Within our community Madeline has played competitive netball, league tag and now six-a-side soccer.
Madeline is a dynamic and committed member oftheCoonabarabran High School PDHPE faculty.
However, the matters outlined above strongly evidence that her commitment and prowess as a sportsperson extend beyond the school gate as does her passion for sharing her expertise with young people and encouraging them to lead healthy lives and to enjoy the benefits which flow from a commitment to fitness and team sports.
Madeline’s colleagues view her as a talented and exemplary ambassador for a sporting life.
Whilst 2022 has not been full of the trophies which have adorned other years for her, what it has witnessed is this young woman’s sincere dedication to promoting sport and its benefits to young people in our community.
Cultural Achievement Award
Michael Armstrong (COONABARABRAN)
Michael Armstrong accepts his Cultural Achievement award from Member for Barwon, Roy Butler.
Michael Armstrong has made a significant contribution to the cultural life of our community.
Since 2016 he has been the driving force behind a re-energised Coonabarabran Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS).
Under his directorship the society has staged a couple of productions in most years (COVID-19 did limit the 2020 and 2021 seasons), with this year featuring the plays Steel Magnolias and Seventeen.
Such performances provide a creative outlet for our town’s thespians as well as offering an entertainment opportunity for our community.
Significantly, the society has also nurtured the creative talents of a number of our town’s youth.
Michael has volunteered many hours to nurture the cultural life of our community.
As well as being the dynamo behind CADS, Michael also directed this year’s highly successful school musical production Matilda. Again, this production was a vehicle for our young people to showcase their talents and grow their talents and their skills both on the stage and as part of the crew.
Finally, Michael has generously shared his technical prowess to ensure that important community events like our town’s ANZAC Commemoration Service and Christmas Spectacular are characterised by top quality sound systems, thereby ensuring that the event can be widely heard and enjoyed, with clarity.
Michael has volunteered many hours to nurture the cultural life of our community and, for this reason, is deserving of this prestigious award.
Young Citizen of the Year
Amelia Hadfield (COONABARABRAN)
Amelia Hadfield is presented with the Young Citizen of the Year award by councillor Jason Newton.
As a school captain of Coonabarabran High School in 2022, Amelia has been an exemplary role model to students and a dynamic, responsible and thoughtful school leader.
Amelia is wise beyond her years and her maturity is rounded in her consideration for the needs of others.
A dynamic member of the Student Representative Council from Years 7 to 11, it was certainly fitting and a testament to the high regard in which Amelia is held by her teachers and peers, that she was elected school captain.
Her enthusiastic, lead-by-example approach has underpinned the strength of her leadership and, consequently, she has made a valuable contribution to the school community.
Amelia was a most worthy recipient of the Australian Defence Force Long Tan Leadership Award in 2019.
Amelia is wise beyond her years and her maturity is rounded in her consideration for the needs of others.
A diligent student, Amelia has shown a high level of commitment and strong organisational skills throughout her senior studies.
She has been a proactive learner who has always set and maintained the highest standard in her approach to all facets of her education.
A talented sportswoman, Amelia has represented the North-West region in swimming and athletics and over many years Amelia has been an integral member of the school’s netball, rugby league and rugby union teams.
A confident public speaker, Amelia addressed the local community’s 2021 ANZAC Day commemoration and was a valued member of the senior debating team.
Beyond the school, Amelia has volunteered to assist with the Cancer Support Group annual Charity Golf Day over the last few years.
Additionally, Amelia has arranged for her young dance students to perform at Cooinda in recitals which have been very well received by the residents. Amelia also performed dance at a community Suicide Prevention event earlier this year.
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
LACHLAN COOK (COOLAH)
Lachlan has had an exceptional sporting year after two years of COVID-19 restrictions and lack of opportunity to participate in competitions.
He is a relatively new addition to the ‘Peter Manning stable’ of distance runners.
Lachlan is a wonderful role model to the other runners as he shows not only a friendly, mature and respectful manner but also a great determination to improve and listen to feedback.
2022 saw Lachlan really shine in his chosen sport, where he reached state level in both cross country and athletics.
He gained a silver medal in the six kilometre event at the Combined High School Cross Country in Sydney.
Lachlan has also been very successful in regional running festivals, placing in the top two at Dubbo, Mudgee, Tamworth and Dunedoo.
Lachlan is a wonderful role model to the other runners as he shows not only a friendly, mature and respectful manner but also a great determination to improve.
Lachlan is a dedicated athlete who works hard to achieve results and understand the importance of the saying, ‘no pain, no gain’.
Lachlan shows this same dedication, competitiveness and humble approach to schooling.
He is an active member of the School Representative Council and helps at every opportunity.
He has achieved academic success and is praised by teachers and students for being a quiet achiever and hardworker.
Lachlan was awarded the Year 10 Citizenship Award.
Young Sportsperson of the Year
Siarne Davis
Coonabarabran junior athlete, Siarne Davis, has been awarded the Warrumbungle Shire Young Sportsperson of the Year.
Siarne has been competing in the discus throw since she was seven years old at Coonabarabran Little Athletics, discovering early on that she had a talent for the event.
She dedicates herself to training, and travels fortnightly to Dubbo to train with David Low, her regional coach. When possible she travels to Newcastle to attend training sessions with coach Ken Harradine, an Olympic level coach.
Siarne had a remarkably successful year in 2022, starting in January when she won the gold medal in under 17’s girls discus at Athletics NSW Country Championships.
In February she again won gold, this time at the Little Athletics NSW Western Regional Championships, qualifying for the Little Athletics NSW State Championships. However, due to being sick with COVID-19 she was unable to compete.
Siarne then participated at the NSW Junior Track and Field Championships vying for a spot on the NSW team.
Not only did she throw over the qualifying distance of 37 metres, she threw a personal best of 38.78 metres and took home the gold medal, booking her spot in the NSW team.
Siarne took home the bronze medal at the Combined High School State Athletics Championship in 2022 in the under 16 girls discus.
She was part of a Hunter Women’s Throws Team that competed at the Athletics NSW State Relay Championships 2022, which scored the bronze medal.
Siarne has broken records in her age group each year in discus from 2016 to 2022 at Coonabarabran Public School and Coonabarabran High School.
She has represented North West School Sports Association at PSSA State Athletics Championships in both primary and high school, was a finalist in discus in Year 7 and came third in discus in Year 10.
Siarne has also been involved in various other sporting activities throughout the past few years and has represented at club, representative and school representative level.
Siarne is a quiet achiever who does not like to publicise her achievements, which is what makes her achievements so special.
YOUNG ENVIRONMENTAL CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
COONABARABRAN HIGH SCHOOL - YEAR 10
Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton presents Coonabarabran High School Year 10 enviro-scientist students with the Young Environmental Citizen of the Year award.
COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR
2022 BARADINE DEBUTANTE BALL
The 2022 Baradine Debutante Ball was a resounding success, leaving the 14 debutantes and their partners with a lifetime of memories.
More than 300 people attended the glittering gala fund- raiser organised by the Baradine Hospital Auxiliary and held at the Baradine Memorial Hall on Saturday, 9 April 2022.
The event had not been held for four years due to COVID-19 and this year the not- for-profit group of volunteers pulled out all stops to ensure a memorable event for the debs, partners and families.
Over $13,000 was raised to purchase items for the benefit and comfort of patients and aged- care residents at the Baradine Multi- Purpose Health Services Centre.
The deb ball is truly a country tradition and it was great to see it being carried on by this team of hard working and dedicated volunteers.
Organising a deb ball of this magnitude is a mammoth task for a small committee, including the weekly dance rehearsals and handmade hall decorations.
The Baradine Hospital Auxiliary members are commended for their commitment to this fundraising event.
Recipients of the 2357 Development Group / Coonabarabran Rotary Coonabarabran Australia Day Awards:
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
STEPHEN WALLACE
The Coonabarabran Volunteer of the Year award is presented in recognition of an individual or group who freely give their time and labour for community service.
Stephen Wallace has been rescuing wild and injured reptiles from around Coonabarabran for the past 20 years.
He has contributed a much-needed free service to Coonabarabran by safely removing, where possible, reptiles from people’s homes and gardens. He has assisted with treatment of snake bite on pets on numerous occasions.
He has continued to demonstrate excellence in what began as a hobby as a child, and has now become a passion to contribute to the safety of all. In addition, he has worked hard to keep up to date with research on reptiles, their habitats, behaviour, venom and the rehabilitation of injured reptiles.
Stephen has contributed to reptile safety through lecturing groups on tour to the region, local schools, Cooinda, and the Girl Guides. In the process of expanding his experience with reptiles, he travelled to North East Arnhem Land on an expedition with Dr Gavin Bedford looking for the Oenpelli Python in 2012.
CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION AWARD
KAIT BRITTON
The Creativity and Innovation Award is presented in recognition of an achievement in the fields of art, history, agriculture, technology or community advancement.
As editor of the Coonabarabran Times, Kait Britton has overhauled its design, layout and content, adding a fresh and modern perspective to the newspaper.
In addition, Kait has created and edited the brand new ‘wattle’ magazine, specifically for ‘Stories from the Warrumbungles’.
wattle hit the shelves in October 2022. It is a magazine designed for long-form journalism, featuring stories of great interest on people, places and events across the local region.
Kait created the magazine from scratch. She organised writers, photographers, contributors, liaised with printers, advertisers and stockists. She identified stories worthy of inclusion, designed the layout, designed all advertisements, edited copy and took photographs.
Coonabarabran is very proud of Kait’s achievements, and without a doubt we are all looking forward to the next edition of wattle.
Kait chose the theme of ‘Resilience’ for her lovingly-created new magazine. As she wrote in her editor’s letter, ‘We’re bred tough out here. We tackle roadblocks with grit, optimism and self-deprecating humour’.
Kait continues to embrace the ethos of a community newspaper, working long hours to coordinate staff to produce a locally-oriented, professional news coverage that focuses on issues of relevance across the Warrumbungle Shire, while simultaneously raising a young family.
Coonabarabran is very proud of Kait’s achievements, and without a doubt we are all looking forward to the next edition of ‘wattle’.
CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD
NIVEN FLEMING
The Customer Service Award is presented in recognition of an employee who consistently provides quality and timely assistance to the people who use their products and service.
Niven Flemming is an employee of the Warrumbungle Shire Council, where he works in the front office responding to residents’ requests and queries.
Niven has a friendly, welcoming manner both on the telephone and at the counter. He smiles, which is most important when people are making an approach to ask for assistance.
When he was at Woolworths, there were many people who made a point of seeking out Niven’s checkout line.
He listens well, follows through with requests and queries, and gets back to you with answers and information.
Niven’s excellent customer service has been described as a ‘breath of fresh air’ at the Shire Council. His ‘How can we help you’ attitude is greatly appreciated.
He has previously been employed, amongst other places, by the Commonwealth Bank and by Woolworths. Wherever he has been employed, he acquired a reputation for his friendly service, always with a smile. He takes the time to remember names, and uses them readily whenever he meets people.
When he was at Woolworths, there were many people who made a point of seeking out Niven’s check out line, knowing they would experience friendly and professional customer service. Giving additional assistance with bags and packing was never a problem for him.
CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION AWARD
GILLIAN TIGHE
The Creativity and Innovation Award is presented in recognition of an achievement in the fields of art, history, agriculture, technology or community advancement.
Gillian Tighe is being recognised for the creativity and innovation in her personal project to decorate the Coonabarabran CBD at Christmas time.
Gillian began this three years ago, and despite some initial disappointments caused by vandalism, Gillian did not give up, instead relocating and recreating the damaged displays.
She approached local businesses for donations to support this venture, using the money to purchase materials. She spent many hours designing and assembling the various decorations and planning where they would be positioned. This year, she organised the Men’s Shed to build the stands for the light boxes that were displayed in front of the Court House.
The positive community spirit that resulted from Gillian's Christmas decorations was genuine and valuable.
Gillian approached business houses about decorating their windows with locally-purchased lights. She even offered to hang them herself if required. Many shop owners responded with enthusiasm, and as a result our little main street looked amazingfortheweeks before Christmas. The positive community spirit that resulted, though hard to quantify, was genuine and valuable.
Gillian has been battling serious health issues and the past two years she has coordinated her decorating around her treatments. She has a couple of loyal elves who help to put up and take down the decorations, but she is clearly the force and the creative spirit behind the initiative.
