26-01-2012
Australia Day is celebrated throughout the community with barbecues, sports competitions, festivals and the awards.
The awards are an integral part of the day because they recognise and honour the outstanding achievement of not only the country’s high profile Australians, but also those who have done so much at a local level.
The Upper Lachlan Shire is blessed with a wealth of citizens willing to volunteer their time for the betterment of our communities.
This year’s list of nominees is a testimony to that fact.
Citizens of the Year
Shire Citizen of the Year – Ken Fleming
The winner of this year’s Citizen of the Year is Ken Fleming. Ken has been acknowledged for his work with the Taralga Historical Society, the Red Cross, the Fire Brigade, Sunset Lodge, the Medical Association, the Vintage Machinery club and other projects in the Taralga area.
Local Citizens
- Crookwell – Tracey Anderson
- Gunning – Ted Burkitt
- Taralga – Glenys Wright
Young Citizens of the Year
Shire Young Citizen of the Year – Claerwen Davies.
Claerwen, who has just completed her Year 12 studies at Crookwell High, is a valued member of her school and the community. She is a member of the Anglican Church, assisting in the running of their youth group. She also reads to residents at Viewhaven Lodge. During her summer break she will be nursing sick children in Uganda.
Local Young Citizens
- Gunning – Kathryn Jenkinson
Events of the Year
Shire – National Campdrafting and Sporting Championships.
Held in April 2011, the event was hosted by Zone 27 Pony Club at the Gunning Showground. With over 240 competitors, the event was run with the help of 120 volunteers.
Local Events of the Year
- Gunning – Australia Day celebrations at the Royal Hotel, Dalton.
This year the Shire was thrilled to have well-known actors and authors, Judy Nunn and Bruce Venables, as our Australia Day ambassadors. The couple were warmly welcomed by Upper Lachlan residents first in Gunning at Barbour Park, then Crookwell at Memorial Park and finally Taralga at the Taralga Showground. The couple enjoyed their visit to the Upper Lachlan Shire and greatly appreciated their warm reception.