26-01-2020
Large crowds took advantage of the great weather on Sunday to take part in the three Australia Day ceremonies across the Shire.
At Gunning, Crookwell and Taralga, Australia Day awards were presented in both township and Shire-wide categories to deserving hard-working community volunteers. Citizenship ceremonies were also held in Gunning and Crookwell.
Veteran television and radio broadcaster and author Susie Elelman AM entertained the crowd at each venue with tales of growing up as a young child of migrant parents escaping war-torn Europe. This was Susie’s 21st year as an Australia Day Ambassador.
Upper Lachlan Shire Council (ULSC) Mayor, John Stafford also spoke at each ceremony and welcomed the 14 new Australian citizens, 11 at Gunning and three at Crookwell, who participated in Citizenship ceremonies on the day.
The Gunning Master of Ceremonies was former ULSC mayor John Shaw OAM and the event was organised by Carmel Hills, Mike Coley and Ellen Manwaring of the Australia Day Committee and catered for by the Lions Club of Gunning.
ULSC Tourism manager Andrew Warren hosted the Crookwell ceremony which was prepared by ULSC staff, Crookwell Lions Club, Crookwell Rotary Club and the CWA Day and Evening branches.
Mayor John Stafford hosted the Taralga event which was organised by Prue Burfitt and a team of supporters from the Rodeo and Progress Assoc. Committees.
Susie Elelman led the national anthem at Gunning, Andrew Warren did likewise at Crookwell and Alison Cummins led the anthem at Taralga.
Upper Lachlan Shire Australia Day award winners
Shire Awards
- Citizen of the Year – Krystaal Hinds
- Young Citizen of the Year – Elysia Mackay
- Sportsperson of the Year – Emily Chalker
- Young Sportsperson of the Year – Elijah Wilson
- Event of the Year – Taralga 200: A Taste of Taralga Festival
Gunning Awards
- Gunning Citizen of the Year – Cassandra Sava
- Gunning Event of the Year – Bears of Hope Charity Ball
Crookwell Awards
- Crookwell Citizen of the Year – Dorothy Brennan
- Crookwell Young Citizen of the Year – Luke McCue
- Crookwell Event of the Year – Crookwell Potato Festival
Taralga Awards
- Taralga Citizen of the Year – Judith Chalker