27-01-2018
Upper Lachlan Shire’s outstanding citizens, young citizens and events have been honoured in the 2018 Upper Lachlan Shire Australia Day Awards.
The Awards were presented at today’s Australia Day celebrations in Gunning, Crookwell and Taralga by Upper Lachlan Shire Mayor Brian McCormack OAM and Upper Lachlan Shire Council’s 2018 Australia Day Ambassador, sports commentator and journalist, Gordon Bray AM.
Cr McCormack said the annual Awards recognise outstanding individuals and events that have had a positive impact on the local community.
“On behalf of Council I would like to congratulate all of the Award winners and thank them for their exceptional contributions to the Upper Lachlan Shire,” Cr McCormack said.
“I would also like to acknowledge all of the very worthy nominees for their wonderful efforts.”
Awards were presented for the Upper Lachlan Citizen of the Year Award, the Upper Lachlan Young Citizen of the Year Award and the Upper Lachlan Event of the Year Award, with a Shire-wide winner announced, along with recipients from the townships of Gunning, Crookwell and Taralga. They included:
Citizen of the Year
Upper Lachlan Citizen of the Year (Shire Award)
Gunning’s Keith L Brown LVO was named the Upper Lachlan Shire’s Citizen of the Year for his contribution to preserving the history of the Shire.
Keith’s book… By the Community – for the Community – a history of Crookwell/Taralga Aged Care … published in 2017, is a tribute to the hard work of the local community to get aged care facilities Viewhaven Lodge and Sunset Lodge to the wonderful standard they are today. It also gives a glimpse into the future of aged care in the Shire.
Sadly, during the final stages of the book going to print, Keith’s wife Evelyn passed away at Viewhaven Lodge. In honour of Evelyn the cost of printing the book, along with the hours of input by Keith in researching and putting the pieces together, were generously donated by the Brown family.
Keith has also published The Day that Dunkley Died on the murder of Henry Dunkley and
Where Once the Wagons Went, which explores the stories behind some inns and innkeepers from Breadalbane to The Gap on the Old South Road, from 1830-1899. As with By the Community – for the Community the proceeds of both publications were generously donated by Keith, in these instances to the Gunning & District Historical Society.
Citizen of the Year Award (Gunning)
Ann Darbyshire was awarded the Gunning Citizen of the Year Award for her participation in a range of Gunning based organisations, such as the Gunning & District Historical Society, the
Gunning Pastoral Agriculture and Industry Society, Gunning Focus Group, Gunning District Landcare and the Gunning District Community and Health Service Management Committee.
Ann is also a Member of Council’s Gunning Shire Hall and Showground Committee, Tony Foley Memorial Gunning District Community Centre Committee and Upper Lachlan Shire Tourist Advisory Committee, and is the Gunning correspondent for three local Fairfax newspapers.
Citizen of the Year Award (Crookwell)
Don Southwell received the Crookwell Citizen of the Year Award for his outstanding contribution to the Crookwell community through a wide range of organisations, including the Men’s Shed.
Citizen of the Year Award (Taralga)
Brian Corby is Taralga’s Citizen of the Year. Brian is the current President of the Taralga Golf Club and a Member of the Taralga Golf Reserve Trust, Taralga Historical Society and Rural Fire Service.
Young Citizen of the Year
Young Citizen of the Year (Shire Award)
Crookwell’s Bailey Anderson was named the Upper Lachlan Shire’s Young Citizen of the Year for his charitable contributions. Most recently Bailey raised close to $6,000 for the Lions Club Save Sight Foundation – placing him among the top three fundraisers in the state. The funds raised by participants in the challenge benefitted people needing cornea transplants.
Bailey also participated in the Lions Youth Exchange in December 2016 and January 2017, where he travelled to the United States, providing him with a wider view of the world and the part he wants to play in it. He also participates in local team sports, and has recently taken on the role of a Pool Attendant at Crookwell Swimming Pool.
Young Citizen of the Year (Gunning)
Gunning’s Leigh Hickey and Guy Southwell were jointly awarded the Gunning Young Citizen of the Year Award. Leigh and Guy were instrumental in bringing the Gunning Skate Park to fruition. The duo have become valuable role models for other young people on what can be achieved with vision, determination and patience.
Young Citizen of the Year (Crookwell)
Annie Croker and Gemma O’Brien were jointly named Crookwell’s Young Citizens of the Year. Annie and Gemma have both been members of Crookwell High School’s Student Representative Council for many years. In 2017 the pair were voted SRC Presidents and Gemma was School Captain. The roles saw them oversee the running of whole school events.
Young Citizen of the Year (Taralga)
Emmalee Croker received Taralga’s Young Citizen of the Year Award for her contribution to the community through hockey. Emmalee has been playing hockey since the age of four and has represented Goulburn and her local club Taralga. Last year she was selected in the NSW PSSA hockey team to compete at the Pacific School Games in Adelaide. She was also selected in the U13 NSW Stars Hockey team to compete at the National Hockey Championships in Perth.
Event of the Year
Event of the Year (Shire Award)
The Taralga Art Show is the Upper Lachlan’s Event of the Year. Held on the June long weekend at the Taralga Memorial Hall, the Art Show represents all aspects of visual arts – including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, woodworking and ceramics – made by artists from across the region and beyond.
Organised through the Taralga and District Progress Association, last year 82 artists took part in the event.
Event of the Year (Crookwell)
The Crookwell Garden Festival was named Crookwell’s Event of the Year. Now a major event on Crookwell’s calendar, a record 1,500 visitors were estimated to have seen the open gardens last year, which featured roses, perennials, deciduous and native trees, unique garden designs and sculptures in abundance.
The Garden Lovers Market on the Saturday was also a huge success, with stallholders reporting strong sales and vowing to return next year.
Event of the Year (Gunning)
The 85th Anniversary of Gunning and Fish River Rural Fire Service received the Gunning Event of the Year Award. Held at the Old Coach Stables, Gunning, the event celebrated 85 years of volunteering with the Rural Fire Service within the Community of Gunning/Fish River – two Brigades that joined as one to protect the town of Gunning and the rural district surrounding the township.
Event of the Year (Taralga)
The Taralga Australia Day Junior Rodeo was presented with the Taralga Event of the Year Award. The Taralga Rodeo/Campdraft has run annually for over 50 years and is one of the major events held in the Upper Lachlan Shire. Last year the Taralga Junior Rodeo was incorporated into the program to give the junior age group the opportunity to compete.
With 165 entries received the event proved to be successful and will now be part of the annual event.