Beryl Heath named the 2021 Narrabri Shire Senior of the Year

NSW seniors are being honoured at the 2021 Seniors’ Festival from April 13 to 24 and the celebrations are underway in Narrabri.

A feature of the festival was the announcement yesterday of the Narrabri Shire Senior of the Year. Nominees were drawn from across the shire.

Well-known Narrabri identity Beryl Heath was named the winner, a recognition of her many years of service and engagement with the community.

The announcement was made at the official Seniors’ Festival Luncheon hosted by Narrabri Shire Council at The Crossing Theatre.

Mrs Heath was born and bred in Narrabri and is recognised as a dedicated member of her community and the wider shire.

She has held several positions within local organisations including treasurer of the P&C school canteen at Narrabri Public School, Guide Leader, patron and secretary of the Narrabri Cubs and Scouts Group, inaugural president of the Narrabri Art and Crafts Society, president of the Hospital Auxiliary and is also involved in the Red Cross and formed the Pink Ladies Group.

Mrs Heath volunteered with Meals on Wheels and was a member of Inner Wheel for 50 years and she was recently honoured with life membership of the Narrabri Hospital Auxiliary, a recognition of her 60 years’ voluntary service.

Seniors’ Festival celebratory events, including lunches, barbecues craft workshops and a special movie screening are being held across Narrabri Shire at Narrabri, Boggabri, Wee Waa and Yarrie Lake.

Other nominees for the 2021 Narrabri Shire Senior of the Year were:

Merle Wooldridge: As an active member of the Pilliga community and Post Mistress of the Pilliga Post Office since 1984, Merle has raised money for the community through aluminium can collection from the roadside and, alongside others, raking up leftover cotton and taking it to the gin.
Merle was the president of the Community Centre from 2014 to 2019 and is now vice president.

Peter Carrett: Peter is a well-respected citizen of Wee Waa and the surrounding district with a passion for music, teaching others and passing on his love for music. Peter has spent many years teaching in Wee Waa and Burren Junction, and since retiring as principal of Wee Waa Primary School, has been busy forming a community band. In January 2020, Peter was named joint winner of the Narrabri Shire Australia Day Citizen of the Year award.

Kevin Horne: For eleven years Kevin was the face of the Boolcarroll school bus. Affectionately known as ‘Dada’ to passengers and parents, each year passengers were thrilled to receive special treats over the Easter and Christmas periods. Kevin has been involved in local rugby league as a player, coach, referee and served on the committee. Kevin currently volunteers with Meals on Wheels, as a driver for Namoi Care Connect and is happy to collect, chop and deliver firewood to those in need.