DAY - REFLECT, RESPECT AND CELEBRATE

Bathed in ubiquitous scorching Summer sun, Australia Day in the Gwydir Shire started for many as it should have – a day to reflect, respect and celebrate. Whatever ancestry underpins our links to Australia, the day is certainly one to reflect on our collective past, accept the history that has taken us to where we are today, and respect that we all have a contribution to our nation. How blessed we all are to live in such a diverse and multicultural country.

Early-to-rise Bingara locals were treated to an Australia Day breakfast in the courtyard at the Roxy Theatre, jubilantly cooked by volunteers from the Bingara Lions Club. Retreat from the heat by attendees was then sought and found in the Roxy Theatre. Efficient corralling of all in attendance allowed for a prompt start of the Australia Day Awards presentation.

Bingara Central School students paraded to the front stage as flag bearers, with representation of the Australian flag, the Australian Aboriginal flag, and the Torres Strait Islander flag. A Welcome to Country in Gamilaraay was communicated proudly by 2022 student and Nanga Mai Award recipient, Sarah Dennis.

Attendees were then invited to stand for the Australian National Anthem. Following on, the audience were informed that unfortunately due to illness, Senator John (Wacka) Williams was unable to be in attendance as special guest for the presentations. Fortunately, and with minimal lead time, local Bingarian Petrus

Atep stepped up to the mark to give an earnest speech regaling the audience of his love for his new home and the people who have welcomed him and his sizeable family to the town. From employers for he and wife Rosemary, to the Church, to the school, to the general public, he acknowledged that they had all contributed to their sense of feeling a part of the community.

Whilst affirming that his roots are entrenched in Papua New Guinea (PNG), and thus a love for the country will always be strong, Petrus acknowledged that life in PNG had presented many trials in recent times. Petrus then shared the main points of difference between life in PNG and life in Bingara. A standout was the focus on strong marriages which very rarely end in divorce in PNG in contrast to the high divorce rate in Australia. Petrus also highlighted the problems with the education system in PNG, from the lack of teachers to the endemic corruption.

Upon conclusion of his speech, Petrus was presented with a Unity Pin which represents his commitment to a brighter future for all Australians. He was then invited to stay on stage to assist with the presentation of the Australia Day Awards.

Nominations for each category, all of whom/which were deserved nominees were conveyed with attendees. A difficult task to decide winners was thus created for those charged with the undertaking.

Proceedings commenced with a message from Adam Marshall MP, read by Cr Catherine Egan. He acknowledged the Traditional Custodians of the land where we were gathered, paying respect to Elders past, present and emerging. He urged all in attendance to adopt the motto for this year’s Australia Day of “reflect, respect and celebrate”, and lamented that he couldn’t be in every town or village to celebrate the day and acknowledge the recipients of Australia Day Awards in person. He passed on a congratulatory message to all nominees and award recipients.

Event of the Year proved to be an assignment slightly beyond the scope of just a winner. As a result, there was also a Highly Commended awarded to the Big Heart Barbecue. This event was held with the aim of raising money for the flood victims of the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales in return for the love and support Bingara had received from these areas during the difficult times presented by the recent drought. This event and subsequent fundraising efforts allowed the four organising groups - Bingara Lions Club, Bingara and District Vision 20/20, Bingara Op Shop and Gwydir Shire Council to raise $40,000 for flood victims.

Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to an outstanding role model for the youth of Bingara, Brooke McKinnon. Brooke has an extensive list of acheivements in a multitude of sporting arenas in conjunction with her school leadership roles and focus on academic aptitude. Of equal measure is her consistent reliability as a mature, responsible and respectful young lady. A worthy recipient of the Young Citizen of the Year Award. Brooke’s mother Lorraine accepted the award on Brooke’s behalf.

Event of the Year was awarded to the Bingara Jockey Club Ball and Auction. Commitee members banded together to recoup money unfortunately lost in 2020 through an Auction and Ball held on 6 August 2022. Dinner, dancing, entertainment and the auction of varied items and experiences allowed the Club to take a profit of $20,401.65. Finances aside, the event was so well-received that it will be run biennially, in rotation with the Black Dog Ball.

With a collective nodding in agreement by all in attendance, the decision to award Citizen of the Year to Bingara’s well-loved Geoffrey Leech was a testament to all that he has contributed to the town and to the many people he has assisted further afield. To quote the citation for the award, “Geoff has made a significant contribution over many years and in many areas of disaster relief, local arts and culture, and the social cohesion which makes Bingara a special place to live.... Geoff’s enthusiastic and persuasive advocacy of life in Bingara has encouraged many people to move here and join the Gwydir Good Life.”

Due to Geoff being unwell in hospital, it was decided by the Awards Committee to present him with his Citizen of the Year Award prior to the formal ceremony. Overcome with emotion at the presentation, in true Geoff Leech style, he proclaimed “I don’t deserve this, I’m just a blow-in”. Geoff’s wife Beverly accepted his award on his behalf at the formal ceremony, with Geoff’s portrait by her side.

Volunteer or Team/Group of the Year was presented to Friends of Touriandi. These volunteers bring joy and happiness to the residents at Touriand Lodge on a daily basis through support, and interaction in numerous ways, from sharing stories to funding outings and equipment for residents’ care and comfort.

At the conclusion to the Bingara Australia Day Awards ceremony, it was concurred by many that it was indeed a day to celebrate, respect and celebrate. What a marvellous community we are a part of.

JULIE GROB IS WARIALDA’S CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Mr Bob Fitzgerald, 2019 NSW Volunteer of the Year, was the Australia Day Ambassador for the 2023 Australia Day Awards held at the Warialda Showgrounds.

After enjoying a barbecue breakfast, hosted by the Warialda Rotary Club, the ceremony commenced with a Welcome to Country by Donell Hope.

- Submitted by Nerissa Jackson

The next award presented by the Ambassador was for Citizen of the Year, which was won by Julie Grob.

“Julie is a volunteer who has worked quietly behind the scenes for numerous local organisations since the year 2000”.

During the singing of the Australia National Anthem, Mr Charles Allen, a Vietnam veteran, had the honour of raising the Australian flag.

Gwydir Shire Council Mayor, Cr John Coulton, introduced the special guest speaker, Mr Bob Fitzgerald. Mr Fitzgerald gave a great speech, full of jokes and anecdotes from his life.

The final award, Event of the Year, was won by ‘The Longest Day’ golf event, presented again by Mr Fitzgerald.

“The Longest Day’ was an event to raise funds for the Cancer Council. Toby Cooper was the event organiser and driving force behind this creative golf day”.

The first award presented was for Young Citizen of the Year and was won by Nathan Tooley, presented by Ben Perry (previous awardee and Rotary Club member). “Nathan has been nominated by the Warialda High School for his service to the school community and his involvement in the Rural Fire Brigade”.

The second award was for Special Citizen of the Year, presented by Mr Fitzgerald and was won by Pam Farrell.

“Another person who works quietly behind the scenes is Pam Farrell. Her attitude is best summed up by a quote from her, “I do things for others to feel wanted. I like helping people, and it’s something to do”.

The day concluded with a tasty morning tea from the Warialda CWA ladies, consisting of slices, sandwiches and cookies with bees on them.