FOR the first time, the Muswellbrook Shire Council will host two special events to celebrate Australia Day in 2019.
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A formal awards ceremony is scheduled to kick off the festivities in the Upper Hunter Conservatorium of Music’s Atherstone Room on Friday, January 25, from 5.30pm.
There, the Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year for 2019 will be announced.
Vying for the junior title is an impressive array of civic-minded youngsters, including Yasmin Jimmieson, Ella Watson, Chloe Flanagan, Jacinta Ballard, Larnie Chapman, Owen Barry and Jade Cutrupi.
As for the Citizen of the Year, it appears to be a one-horse race with “farmers friend” Len Kelman the only nomination.
Mr Kelman, who’s made an outstanding contribution to the community over three decades, has collected and delivered vast numbers of hay bales and water to those residents in drought-affected areas.
“I just completed the Variety Bash – and saw how bad it was in the country [areas],” he said back in July.
“I’ve been a truckie all my life.
“However, nothing prepares you for what they’re going through.
“I wanted to pay back something to the farmers – and this was my way of supporting them.
“Hopefully, it will put smiles on a few faces.”
He also organised A Night For The Farmers charity dinner, which raised $45,000 for the men and women on the land doing it tough at the moment.
Tickets for the formal awards ceremony are limited, but can be obtained from https://www.eventbrite.com/e/australia-day-awards-ceremony-25-january-2019-tickets-53893331405
The following day, on Saturday, January 26, council will conduct a citizenship service, as well as the presentations for Junior Sportsperson of the Year; Services to Sport; Sustainability; Culture, Social Inclusion and Education at the Muswellbrook Indoor Sports Centre at 9am.
A free breakfast is available from 8am, too.
Afterwards, between 11am and 4pm, there’s no cost to enter the Muswellbrook and Denman aquatic centres.
Council and Apex Australia will man a free barbecue lunch at the Muswellbrook Aquatic Centre, with fun activities for the kids, including a petting zoo, giant inflatables, face painting and jumping castle.
2019 Muswellbrook Shire Australia Day award nominees
Citizen of the Year
Lennard Kelman (Lennie)
* Outstanding contribution to community over 30 years
* Organised night for farmers charity dinner – raised $45,000 for drought relief
* Drought relief – collected and delivered vast numbers of hay bales and water
* Entrant in Variety Bash for 11 years. Raised in excess of $27,000 for Variety
* Involved with Muswellbrook Rams Rugby League Football Club for more than 35 years
Young Citizen of the Year
(All nominees recognised for their contribution to the community)
Yasmin Jimmieson
* Associated with Lions and Rotary clubs – fundraising, leadership Youth Programs
* Positive role model
* Member of SES
Ella Watson
* Hosting Upper Hunter Youth Leadership Summit
* St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleep Out
* Indigenous commemoration ceremony
Chloe Flanagan
* Senior student is reliable and courteous, sets a good example for younger students. Year 12 fundraising efforts. Received Principal’s List awards in terms three and four
Jacinta Ballard
* Rural fire Service Cadet Program
* Volunteer at Calvary Aged Care Facility
* Attended National Youth Leadership Summit
* Planned and coordinated MHS Trivia Night
* Took part in Anzac Day, Relay for Life, PCYC Christmas Appeal, Where There’s a Will match day
* Krazy Kosci Klimb for cerebral palsy
* Lions Braveheart Award
* Rhylee Tuckerman Resilience Award
Larnie Chapman
* Organising Swim4Phil swimathon in Denman to raise funds for further research into pancreatic cancer
* 17km charity swim at Denman Pool in November 2018 raised more than $6000 for Pancare Foundation
Owen Barry
* Regular volunteer at Denman Rugby League Football Club canteen
* League Safe course
* Referee – rugby league
* Running barbecues MHS, SRC MHS, P&C
* Coach under-12 relay teams at Denman Swim Club
Jade Cutrupi
* Where There’s a Will Upper Hunter Leadership Summit 2018
* Completed RFS Cadets Program
* Lifesaving instructor
* Harmony Day 2017
* Burn Bright Leadership Summit 2017
Junior Sportsperson of the Year
(All recognised for achievements in sport)
Alyssa Mollema
* Excelled in her chosen sport of archery. Represented Australia at Oceana Games and Trans-Tasman Championship
* Represented NSW at Nationals – two first placings and awarded All-round highest women’s compound score
* In November 2018 achieved perfect score of 900/900 at Warringah Archers tournament and was first female competitor to shoot a perfect score.
Tenahya Dennis
* Competing at Zone for Little Athletics NSW – four first placings and one second placing.
* Attending Regional Championships in February 2019
* Broke Zone record in triple jump for her age group. Zone champion
* League tag with Denman Devils – named player and highest try scorer
Kade Attenborough
* Part of Australian High School bull riding team who competed in Dakota USA
* Qualified for junior bull riding world finals in Abilene Texas USA – where he ranked 25th in the world
* Three world finals, one world high school final (USA) and various Australian titles
Services to Sport Award
(Recognised for contribution to local sport)
Peter Barry
* Services to rugby league – continually volunteering time, attending meetings, submitting applications, organising events and coaching
Peter Cooper
* Current resident, registration and sponsorship organiser for Brook Senior Cricket Club
* Current president of Muswellbrook Junior Cricket and current secretary of representative teams for Upper Hunter Junior Cricket
Sustainability Award
Denman Boomerang Bag Makers
* Made over 900 bags to reduce plastic bag use in Denman
* Bags are free to the community
* All made from recycled fabric
Muswellbrook High School
* Set up Landcare Sport group
* Implemented can/bottle recycling system
* Installed tanks for runoff from covered basketball area for use in watering the top oval
Penguins Garden Group
* Held workshops on sustainability, worm farming, composting, hay bale gardening, growing plants
* Worked in garden with children with disabilities
Muswellbrook Men’s Shed
* Significant role in reducing landfill with mattress recycling program
* Can and bottle recycling program
* Repair and refurbish furniture to sell or donate to other charities
Denman Children’s Centres
* Educating children about sustainability
* Grow fresh produce
* Collect and use rainwater
* Recycle food scraps in worm farm
Warrior Disability Group
* Shred paper from local businesses, collect coffee beans and food scraps for compost
* Spend every Wednesday afternoon at the Sustainability Hub composting and gardening
* Attend Denman Community Garden every second Monday to collect, compost and grow fruit and vegetables for community use
Mangoola Mine
* High standard of rehabilitation
* Engage Denman Men’s Shed to build nest boxes
* Salvages habitat trees when clearing land and reinstate as an integral part of rehabilitation
* Ongoing maintenance and care of early rehabilitation work has ensured a highly successful outcome
Brad and Julie Smith
* Dedicated wildlife rescuers and carers for over 10 years
* Supportive mentors for new Wildlife Aid members
* Have donated time and over $40,000 towards feed, equipment and medical care for rescued wildlife.
* Rescue joeys from pouches of dead kangaroo, wallaby and wombat mothers
* Set up property to safely contain rescued animals in rehabilitation
Culture, Social Inclusion and Education Awards
Cooper Edwards
* Vice-captain of MPS – represented school on many occasions
* Lead dancer and winner of MPS Excellence in Dance award
* Part of MPS drama ensemble
* Performed in Upper hunter speech and drams eisteddfod
* Attends National college of Dance
* Fundraiser
Eileen Mepham
* Tireless fundraiser for Denman Hospital auxiliary
* Raised more than $10,000 for Westpac rescue helicopter
Tracy Ward
* Founder of Denman Farmers Market
* Advocate for Stroke Foundation and presenter at Federal Parliament
* Current member of Denman Lions Club, Little Athletics and Leader of Denman Scout Group
Jane Fuiono
* Ongoing service to education for over 25 years
* Deep understanding of Aust. Professional Standards for teachers
* Offers support to new teachers
* Member of Visible Wellbeing project at Denman PS