FOR 24 local residents, Australia Day 2018 will hold extra meaning, as they are nominees for the Muswellbrook Shire Council Australia Day Awards.
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The unsung heroes are vying for honours in nine categories, including Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and achievement in culture and sport.
Their efforts will be publically recognised at the annual Australia Day ceremony, to take place this year at the Denman Indoor Sports Centre on Friday, January 26.
Citizen nominees –
SHANNON NICHOLS
Shannon is a top performing academic student in the Muswellbrook region. She has attained outstanding results in her HSC, which saw her ranked fifth in the state for Extension 1 English and sixth in the state for Community and
Family Studies. Shannon achieved an ATAR of 96.35, which is a credit to the determination and perseverance she has shown over her school years.
MARCUS MORRIS
Marcus is the 2017-18 Muswellbrook High School captain. He has actively participated in the peer support program and is a lifesaving instructor. Marcus has a proud record in sporting achievements, captaining the under-18 Muswellbrook Eagles in 2016. He has also been the captain for many sporting teams at Muswellbrook High School, including open boys’ soccer and under-16 boys’ futsal in 2016 as well as the open boys’ futsal in 2017.
BRYDIE CULLEN
Brydie is a 2018 Muswellbrook High School prefect, following service as school captain in the previous year. She has been an active member of the Muswellbrook High School Student Representative Council for the past three years. Brydie has a proud record of Sporting Leadership as the captain of Steps Dance Studio Dance Team and a Royal Lifesaving Instructor during 2016.
JOEL HARTIN
Joel is the 2017-18 Muswellbrook High School vice-captain, after serving on the Student Representative Council in 2015. Joel has a proud record of sporting achievements, captaining the Muswellbrook Swimming Club from 2016-2018, the Muswellbrook Soccer Community Competition in 2016 and the Muswellbrook High School cricket team from 2015- 2017. Joel has participated in state athletics, regional swimming and regional cross country. Joel has broken two school swimming records including 50m backstroke and 50m breaststroke (one of which is a 40-year-old record).
JENNA BESFORD
Jenna was the Muswellbrook High School vice-captain in 2017, after serving as a Peer Support Leader in 2016. Jenna participated in the Royal Life Saving Program in 2016 to become a lifesaving instructor. Jenna took part in the Leadership Summit in 2017 and has been an active member of the Muswellbrook High School Student Representative Council. She is a Bluestar PCYC Graduate from 2016-2018 and a PCYC volunteer. Jenna has participated in the Model United Nations Assembly, PCYC Women’s Health, a Cultural Fundraising Program and Muswellbrook High School Performing Arts Tour.
MICHEAL RINKIN
Micheal has been a big supporter of the Muswellbrook community, working towards improvements in entertainment opportunities and community activities. He has worked hard to develop the Muswellbrook Cinema and the newly-completed bowling alley for the enjoyment of the public.
GLENDA DUGGAN
Glenda is being recognised for her dedication to the elderly within Denman. Glenda has played an active role in many community organisations including Denman MPS Auxiliary, Denman Meals on Wheels, Merton Living Aged Care Denman, Denman and District Development Association Committee and the Denman Public School P&C. Glenda has played a major role in organising fundraisers for the Denman MPS, raising much-needed money for hospital and Emergency Department equipment.
GREGORY COLE
Greg is being recognised for his dedication to the Returned Services and local community. Greg has been one of the driving forces behind the memorial grove for the past 20 years, maintaining the grounds on a regular basis. Greg has been president of Muswellbrook RSL Sub-Branch until 2017 and has more recently taken on the role of Vice-president. Greg has had heavy involvement in the planning of the Beersheba Charge Memorial, the ANZAC Day Memorials and Remembrance Day services for the past 15 years.
STEVEN FORDHAM
Steven has shown continuous commitment to the community through volunteering and the establishment of the Indigenous Inmate Program, which provides support to inmates during their retention and upon release in relation to mental health and sustainable employment. Steven has also been an active member of the PCYC Advisory Committee for 10 years and has tirelessly volunteered at the PCYC for the past 12 years.
Sporting –
TENAHYA DENNIS
Tenahya has excelled in sport this year, representing Muswellbrook High School at state in the hurdles. Tenahya has been ranked as second in the Hunter and 11th in NSW. She has also represented Muswellbrook High School in cross country, athletics, league tag and touch football. Tenahya has represented the local athletics club at a regional level and excelled in the field of dance, competing at competition level with Expressions School of Dance.
ZAHLI WOOLNOUGH
Zahli is a dedicated and determined athlete who over the past seven years has displayed great team involvement and leadership resulting in her being chosen as the Muswellbrook Amateur RSL Youth Swimming Club captain for the 2017-18 season. She was awarded the winner of the overall club point score, age and open champion and received the Muswellbrook Amateur RSL Youth Swimming Club Best and Fairest Award. Zahli was awarded a silver medal at the Combined High Schools NSW State Swimming Championships and a bronze at the All School NSW State Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park. Zahli has also represented Muswellbrook High School at the Combined High Schools Cross Country at regional level and actively participated in school sporting groups.
JOEL HARTIN
Joel is being recognised for his achievements in swimming, javelin and cricket. Joel competed at the NSW Country Swimming Championships for 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle. He qualified for the National Prep Meet at SOPAC for 50m freestyle. Joel was awarded school swimming champion, and broke two school records, one of which was 40 years old. Joel was a member of the Muswellbrook High School cricket team and competed in the boys’ open cricket knockout.
LEVI HARTIN
Levi is an accomplished sportsperson with achievements in swimming, athletics and cricket. Levi broke Muswellbrook Public School’s zone record for 50m breaststroke. He has represented his school at regionals for swimming and athletics. Levi has also represented his school at state level for swimming and athletics and is a valued member of the Muswellbrook Public Schools cricket team, which competed in the NSW Schools Knockout Championships, finishing third in the state.
HARMONY LIDDELL
Harmony is being recognised for her achievements in the field of rugby league. Harmony has been awarded player of the month and makes a valuable contribution to the sport through refereeing.
BRYDIE PARKER
Brydie is being recognised for her achievements in the field of women’s rugby. Brydie has represented Australia in the Under-18 Youth Olympics Women’s Rugby Sevens in 2017, placing first. Brydie was also selected in the NSW open women’s rugby team, and recently competed in Bendigo. Brydie was also a member of the 2017 University of New England Lions squad, this team was selected to compete in the National Series in which Brydie played all four tournaments.
ANTHONY WITT
Anthony is an accomplished sportsperson in the field of rugby league. Anthony travelled to New Zealand in 2017 to represent Scotland in the Masters competition. Anthony was selected as captain of the Australian team in a game against Great Britain hosted in Sydney. Anthony has been selected to play in the Australian Masters rugby league side to tour Great Britain.
2016-17 CARBON CRUSADERS
The Carbon Crusaders competed in the first Robotics Australian Regional Competition against teams from Australia and other countries. The Carbon Crusaders ranked second and qualified to compete in the World Championships in Houston in 2017.
BRONWYN PETTIT
Bronwyn has been a dedicated club secretary of the Muswellbrook District Junior Rugby League Club for many years. Bronwyn is being recognised for her tireless work and dedication to the club ensuring the needs of players and volunteers come first. Bronwyn is the driving force behind the junior league presentation day ensuring that all players and volunteers are acknowledged for their devotion to the sport.
CHANNY McPHEE
Over the past six years, Channy has established and grown the Upper Hunter Physical Culture Club into a well-recognised club competing at national level. Channy is committed to teaching the students confidence and sportsmanship.
Cultural and environment –
CASSIDY WATTS
Cassidy is involved in various school and community music activities. She is being recognised for the high standard in which she performs, and her willingness to assist others in their pursuits. Cassidy was awarded the Muswellbrook Shire Concert Band Scholarship in 2017 and more recently has been award the 2018 Upper Hunter Conservatorium of Music Scholarship.
VIRGINIA GREENTREE
Virginia is an active MATS committee member and has been heavily-involved in the production of the 2016 performance The Sound of Music and the 2017 song contest, The Almost Eurovision Experience. Virginia provides opportunities in performing arts on and off the stage for the community to be involved.
MUSWELLBROOK RSL SUB-BRANCH
The Muswellbrook RSL Sub-Branch is being recognised for its tireless work and dedication to the Vietnam Memorial Grove, 365 days of the year.
TERRY CHEATLE (POSTHUMOUS)
Terry is being recognised for the establishment of the Muswellbrook Art Prize and the development of the local artist group. As a result of Terry’s dedication to arts and culture, the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre was recognised by NSW Art Gallery as a major regional gallery in NSW.
PENGUINS GARDEN GROUP
The Penguins Garden Group is being recognised for their commitment, dedication and enthusiasm in establishing and maintaining a community garden group. The group hosts various workshops and working bees in conjunction with other organisations, which has led to setting up a plant nursery in which they have propagated their seedlings.
MUSCLE CREEK LANDCARE
The Muscle Creek Landcare Group works tirelessly to maintain Muscle Creek for the local community to enjoy. The newly-formed group has also assisted with the establishment of the new Sustainability Hub.
Education and social inclusion –
MELISSA WHITEMAN
Melissa is an outstanding educator who leads the students in dance and drama activities at Denman Public School. Melissa tirelessly works to choreograph dance routines for her students and goes above and beyond to provide opportunities for the students at Denman Public School. Melissa has also successfully led the senior debating team at the zone debating challenge in 2017 which resulted in Denman Public School achieving a first and second place.
UPPER HUNTER RIDING FOR THE DISABLED
Upper Hunter Riding for the Disabled provides interactive programs for students with special needs from various schools across the shire. Upper Hunter Riding for the Disabled aims to encourage, promote and provide therapy, sport and safety programs for people with disabilities through riding, driving and other interactive horse activities. Upper Hunter Riding for the Disabled has worked tirelessly over the past six years to raise funds to make improvements to the facility to provide better support to those with disabilities.
KIM JOHNSON
Over the past eight years, Kim has been making a difference to the lives of residents at the Denman Aged Care Facility. Kim spends her time cooking afternoon tea for the residents and organising special functions. Kim is an active volunteer of multiple organisations in Denman. For many years, Kim has delivered meals to aged and disabled residents in the Denman community. Kim has also been a valued member of the Denman View Club since its inauguration 30 years ago helping to raise funds for various charities.