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Music, barbecues, citizenship oaths, inspiring stories from our Ambassadors, cricket and splashing around at the pools, marked Australia Day 2020 in the Upper Hunter Shire.
Australia Day Ambassadors Paralympic swimmer Taylor Corry, food and wine expert Lyndey Milan and gardening presenter Graham Ross shared their inspiring stories.
Outstanding Upper Hunter citizens were recognised with Australia Day awards.
An additional Mayoral award went to the members and volunteers of the Rural Fire Service, accepted by Kim Brown of the RFS Parkville Brigade.
Justine Cooper, with other volunteers, runs the “Doing it for our Farmers” group which coordinates donations and supplies water, groceries and other household products to those impacted by drought, through direct deliveries and the Pop Up Pantry located in Murrurundi.
Jackson Keane is a leader in the Merriwa region. He has been involved in Merriwa Little Athletics Club for eight years excelling in shotput, javelin and discus. In 2018 he commenced as a junior coach, providing encouragement and training athletes aged 5 to 16 years. He has built a rapport with young athletes who look up to him and he is admired by parents for his commitment and compassion. He has supported other sporting groups including Merriwa Park Run and the 10’s Junior Rugby League team.
Jackson has been an inspiring leader of the Merriwa Central School ROAR program, represented his school at the Where There’s a Will 2019 Youth Leadership summit in Adelaide, and was an enthusiastic participant in the Merriwa Rotary Club ‘Ripen’ initiative.
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Janine Katon
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Bella-Rose Partridge
ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR Carole and Bob Johnston
YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR Ruby Brochtrup
SPECIAL AWARD - ONGOING COMMITMENT TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY Joan Johnston
School Achievement Award & Creative Arts Excellence Award - Caitlin Brown (St Joseph’s High School Aberdeen)
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Tash Taaffe
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Jackson Keane
ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR Julia Wilton
YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR Nicole Martin
COMMUNITY GROUP OF THE YEAR Merriwa Tourist Welcoming Centre and Men's Shed
SUSTAINABILITY IN BUSINESS AWARD Ben Frampton
ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT Denis Nutt
School Achievement Award - Victoria McNaught (Merriwa Central School)
Creative Arts Excellence Award - Chelsea Borradaile (Merriwa Central School)
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Justine Cooper
ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR Jenny Loasby
YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR Blandford Public School Relay Team
COMMUNITY GROUP OF THE YEAR Doing It for our Farmers
HUNTER MCLOUGHLIN MEMORIAL CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Helen Archibald
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Katie Sutcliffe
ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR Garry Dawson
YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR Tyla Brown
SPECIAL AWARD - ONGOING SUPPORT OF YOUTH Lindy Hunt
SPECIAL AWARD - OUTSTANDING ROLE MODEL Cassie Fisher
School Achievement Award - Alexander Young (Scone High School)
Creative Arts Excellence Award - Matthew Kilroy (Scone High School)
School Achievement Award - Stella Norvill (Scone Grammar School)
Winners of the School Achievement and Creative Arts Excellence Awards each receive a $1,000 cheque from Council to go towards tertiary study in their chosen category.
Upper Hunter Shire Council is a local government authority and provides an extensive array of services including health and building; town planning; aged care; sporting and recreational facilities; roads; libraries; waste collection; airport facilities; saleyards; public venues; water; children, youth and families and tourist information.
Upper Hunter Shire is located in the Hunter Region of NSW, approximately 250km north of Sydney. The Shire is predominantly rural and encompasses 8,100km2.
We have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and are committed to keeping you safe.
PO Box 208
Scone NSW 2337
Phone: 02 6540 1100
Fax: 02 6545 2671
council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au
135 Liverpool Street, Scone
34-40 Vennacher Street, Merriwa
47 Mayne Street, Murrurundi
After hours emergencies for roads, bridges, animal control,
water, sewer & landfill
Phone: 02 6540 1199
Ngayan marrungku paran wiyan Wanarruwa, mirumalikan para ani parraykupa, ngatan ngayan marrung wiyan Ngarrakay paranpa yurakaykal ngatan pangaykal.
We acknowledge the Wonnarua people, traditional keepers of this land, and we pay respects to their Elders, past and present.
Translation by Aunty Sharon Edgar-Jones.