Robyn Russell named Narrabri Shire Council’s Citizen of the Year

Going above and beyond the call of duty has seen Robyn Russell named Narrabri Shire Council’s Citizen of the Year.

Mrs Russell, who works with the Hunter New England Local Health District as a community health diversional therapist, ensured people were connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When announcing the nominees, mayor Ron Campbell said Mrs Russell showed outstanding kindness, helpfulness and treated all of her clients with dignity, respect and loving care despite their age or circumstance.

“During the pandemic, she went beyond her duty and kept people connected when they couldn’t meet face to face so that they didn’t feel lonely, isolated and vulnerable” Cr Campbell told the gathering at Narrabri’s Australia Day celebration held at The Crossing Theatre on Tuesday afternoon.

Mrs Russell was congratulated on her achievement by this year’s Australia Day ambassador, John Harper.

This year, there were seven nominees for the shire’s coveted Citizen of the Year honour.

The nominees were Beverley McNellee, Patricia Hadley, Robyn Russell, David Morris, Jenny Wilson, Cheryl Hennessey and Joanne Tailby.

Narrabri High School student Charlotte Penberthy was awarded Young Environmental Citizen of the Year.

Charlotte is an active member of the school’s SRC and is one of the driving forces behind the school’s recycling and environmental program.

“She was also one of the students involved in a recycled fashion project, showing her passion for recycle, reuse and repurpose,” Cr Campbell said.

This year, there were three nominees for Young Citizen of the Year.

Georgia Goodhew, Matthew Nash and Jenna Baxter were the nominees with the award being presented to Jenna.

Cr Campbell said Jenna had excelled in the areas of school leadership and supporting humanitarian causes.

“She has been instrumental in fund raising activities both with Narrabri High School and the wider community, particularly around issues to do with women’s health,” he said.

Robyn Russell was joined by some of her family to celebrate being awarded Narrabri Shire’s Citizen of the Year. Back, Darren Goodhew, Georgia Goodhew, Tracey Taylor, Jacquie Goodhew, Rachael Russell, front, Jayde Goodhew, Caitlin Taylor and Robyn Russell. Robyn Russell was joined by some of her family to celebrate being awarded Narrabri Shire’s Citizen of the Year. Back, Darren Goodhew, Georgia Goodhew, Tracey Taylor, Jacquie Goodhew, Rachael Russell, front, Jayde Goodhew, Caitlin Taylor and Robyn Russell.

Jenna Baxter, centre, was awarded Young Citizen of the Year for Narrabri Shire. She is with mayor Ron Campbell and Australia Day ambassador John Harper. Jenna Baxter, centre, was awarded Young Citizen of the Year for Narrabri Shire. She is with mayor Ron Campbell and Australia Day ambassador John Harper.

Peggy Penberthy accepted the Young Environmental Citizen of the Year award on behalf of her granddaughter Charlotte Penberthy from mayor Ron Campbell and Australia Day ambassador John Harper. Peggy Penberthy accepted the Young Environmental Citizen of the Year award on behalf of her granddaughter Charlotte Penberthy from mayor Ron Campbell and Australia Day ambassador John Harper.

Mayor Ron Campbell and ambassador John Harper congratulate Citizen of the Year Robyn Russell. Mayor Ron Campbell and ambassador John Harper congratulate Citizen of the Year Robyn Russell.

Kodey Stanford performed the National Anthem at Tuesday’s celebration. Kodey Stanford performed the National Anthem at Tuesday’s celebration.

First Narrabri West Scouts Group conducted the flag raising ceremony at Tuesday’s Australia Day celebration at The Crossing Theatre. Back, Cub leader Carol Davis, Jessie Weakes, district commissioner northern district Tom Kay, middle row, Ethan Harris, Jazlyn Simshauser, Veronica Weakes, Stacey Simshauser, front, Cohen Harris, Michael Harris and Jasmine Weakes. First Narrabri West Scouts Group conducted the flag raising ceremony at Tuesday’s Australia Day celebration at The Crossing Theatre. Back, Cub leader Carol Davis, Jessie Weakes, district commissioner northern district Tom Kay, middle row, Ethan Harris, Jazlyn Simshauser, Veronica Weakes, Stacey Simshauser, front, Cohen Harris, Michael Harris and Jasmine Weakes.

Narrabri High School captains Maddie Russell and Riley Emmerson read the poem The Story of Australia. Narrabri High School captains Maddie Russell and Riley Emmerson read the poem The Story of Australia.

Citizen of the Year finalists Tricia Hadley (left) and Beverley McNellee (right) congratulate award winner Robyn Russell. Citizen of the Year finalists Tricia Hadley (left) and Beverley McNellee (right) congratulate award winner Robyn Russell.

At Tuesday’s Australia Day celebration in Narrabri, festivities commenced with Natalie Mason delivering the welcome to country.

The 1st Narrabri West Scouts Group performed the flag raising ceremony and this was followed by a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem sung by Kodey Stanford.

Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government, and federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton addressed the gathering as he attended celebrations across the shire.

Mr Coulton acknowledged Narrabri RSL sub-branch president Gary Mason, who was in attendance at the Narrabri function, on being awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.

He also praised the Scouts for the “best flag raising ceremony I’ve seen”.

In delivering his Australia Day address, Mr Coulton said he believed that this year, more than ever, the country had a lot of which to be proud especially in its fight against COVID-19.

“The safest place in the world in 2020 was regional Australia,” he said.

He said attitudes towards regional Australia had shifted. For the first time in the country’s history, people migrating from the city to country was greater than the other way around.

“People have realised it’s a place of opportunity,” he said of regional Australia. “It’s a place where you can raise a family … have a good job.”

In his speech, Mr Coulton also praised Narrabri Shire Council for its leadership.

“Narrabri has got a lot of exciting things happening at the moment,” he said.

Following Mr Coulton’s address, Narrabri High School captains Maddie Russell and Riley Emmerson shared with the audience The Story of Australia, a poem written by the National Australia Day Council.

Australia Day ambassador John Harper, a wheat and sheep farmer from southern NSW who started Mate Helping Mate, a mental health podcast from the bush, spent several days in the shire and enjoyed visits to Meals on Wheels, the Men’s Shed and other facilities in addition to his Australia Day duties. Mr Harper told the gathering he was an ordinary bloke who tries to do good.