Citizen of the Year Des Barton and Young Citizen of the Year Mackenzie Jones.
Unwavering dedication to community organisations and causes was a common theme at the presentation of the Narrabri Shire Australia Day awards last Thursday.
The shire’s top honour, Citizen of the Year, was awarded to Rural Fire Service stalwart Des Barton, of Baan Baa.
Mr Barton has been involved with the RFS for almost 40 years, serving in many positions.
He was unable to attend last week’s celebration, however, the honour was presented by deputy mayor Darrell Tiemens to Mr Barton’s family.
A profile on Mr Barton, recognising his achievements in the community, will feature in a future edition of The Courier.
Mr Barton was one of two nominees for the shire’s top honour, with Darryl Campbell also nominated.
Mr Campbell, who was a member of the Narrabri RFS brigade, was nominated for his heroic action during a fishing trip with mates at Port Stephens in 2019.
Together with mates Simon Norris and John O’Donnell, Mr Campbell assisted in saving the lives of two men whose boats capsized against rocks.
The shire’s Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Mackenzie Jones, acknowledging her volunteer efforts in the Wee Waa community.
Councillor Cathy Redding, who was master-of-ceremonies at last Thursday’s Australia Day awards function, praised Mackenzie’s dedication.
“Mackenzie has excelled in a lot of areas and was elected Narrabri Shire Council youth mayor in 2022.”
Mackenzie is also part of the Youth Mental Health Podcast project and was awarded Young woman of the Year at the 2022 Wee Waa Show.
She has volunteered at the Wee Waa Veterinary Clinic for the last four years and also represented Wee Waa High School at multiple regional state events.
Mackenzie has also been part of the agriculture and robotics teams.
I’m proud to represent Wee Waa,” Mackenzie said. “Mum has always said put your name down for everything and be involved in everything.”
Mackenzie said gives you more experience, a chance to be involved in different things and meet new people.
The Environmental Award was presented to Sally Hunter, of Boggabri, acknowledging her dedication to environmental advocacy.
Mrs Hunter has dedicated almost a decade to People for the Plains and took her environmental involvements to a higher level when she co-founded Geni.Energy.
She has a strong desire to create more environmentally friendly opportunities for Narrabri Shire and continues to help grow renewal energy uptake in the region.
“Sally’s aim is to tread lightly on this earth,” Cr Redding said when reading the award citation.
Among the honours also awarded on the day was the Community Group Service Award.
The honour was awarded to the Narrabri SES Unit and Sarah Rushton, of Narrabri, paying tribute to Mrs Rushton’s dedication to serving the community as well as the important role the SES plays in the community.
Mrs Rushton has been involved with various challenging situations, including flood management, assisting police and other agencies with transport and safety and helping community members following storms.
At last week’s awards ceremony, Narrabri SES was acknowledged for providing assistance during and after major incidents as well as working collaboratively with other emergency service agencies.
Meals on Wheels Narrabri and its service coordinator Donna
MacMillan were also acknowledged on the day.
Mrs MacMillan and the organisation were nominees for the Community Group Service Award.
Meals on Wheels has been servicing the Narrabri community for more than 50 years and provides meals to the homes of aged and young disabled clients.
The vital community service comprises a band of dedicated volunteers.
Mrs MacMillan was acknowledged for providing a cheerful service and for her extensive commitment to the organisation.
In the Community Arts and Cultural Development Award, Lisa Almagro, of Narrabri, was announced as the winner.
She was acknowledged for her role as art coordinator at the Wee Waa Community Arts and Cultural Centre since its inception in early 2022.
Mrs Almagro has delivered a variety of exhibitions, workshops and events that capture the life of the wider community.
The award nomination noted that Mrs Almagro has an extensive network of art and cultural providers, and that her enthusiasm and ability to deliver art-based programs is enviable.
“Lisa has supported many new and emerging local artists, giving them the opportunity to showcase their and work and ultimately increase their confidence in developing themselves as professional artists,” Cr Redding said.
“Her support across the shire to all things art has been relentless.
“As a result, Lisa has gained high respect among our community.”
The shire’s top sporting awards were also presented at the celebration.
Senior Sportsperson of the Year was awarded to Jason Anderson for his achievements as a member of the Narrabri Pistol Club.
Mr Anderson joined the club as a junior in 1986 and has gone on to achieve great success in the sport.
He was selected for the 2022 NSW Amateur Pistol Association metallic silhouette 200-metre big bore open state team for the revolver match and the production match at the 2022 National Championships.
Mr Anderson has been described as a strong clubman who was at the forefront of the redevelopment of the Narrabri Pistol Club’s Metallic Silhouette Small Bore and Field Pistol National Championships.
“He is always ready to offer advice and assistance to new shooters regarding technique or equipment,” his award citation reads.
In the Junior Sportsperson of the Year award, Ruby Clayton and Sophie Hartnett were nominated for the honour.
Ruby has excelled in athletics and is a member of the Narrabri Little Athletics Club, junior touch football and junior soccer.
She was selected to the NIAS development squad for athletics.
Fellow nominee Sophie was acknowledged for her excellence in tennis, netball and athletics.
Sophie has competed in the North West Regional Matchplay Series and was successful in the North West Champion Tournament for both the under 10s and under 12s girls’ teams.
She has also excelled at school in tennis and netball, and received diocesan selection to compete in Tamworth in athletics.
Ruby was announced as the Junior Sportsperson of the Year.
Deputy mayor Darrell Tiemens, who presented the awards alongside Australia Day ambassador Taylor Corry, praised the winners and nominees for their contributions to the community.
