Narrabri shire achievers celebrated

The achievements of Narrabri Shire residents will be placed firmly in the spotlight through the presentation of Australia Day awards.

The awards recognise outstanding achievements in the previous year as well as contribution to the community over a number of years.

Mayor Darrell Tiemens praised the calibre of nominations received.

“Areas like ours are built on the foundations of volunteers over many generations,” Cr Tiemens said.

“I am heartened to see a lot of younger people embracing the benefits of volunteering.

“I enjoy seeing people who move into the area get on board with volunteering, whether it’s with local emergency services or with football.

“Volunteering is a great way to get to know people in the community.”

Cr Tiemens said Australia Day was a great opportunity to celebrate outstanding achievements.

“Australia Day is also a great day to celebrate and recognise the great country in which we live,” he said.

In the Citizen of the Year category, council this year has received three nominations.

The first nominee, Joan Griffiths, is involved in a causes and groups spanning a range of community interests and needs, including the Narrabri Bushwalking Club, Carers and Caring Group, Narrabri Dementia Friendly Town Committee, Namoi Women’s Shed, Meals on Wheels, Narrabri Parkinson’s Support Group, Narrabri Parkrun and Narrabri Shared Table Community Kitchen.

Joan was the recipient of Narrabri Shire’s Senior Citizen of the Year award in 2023, acknowledging her extensive volunteer work in the community.

She is described as a good advocate for the elderly as well as a role model for fitness.

Joan plays a major role in Narrabri Shared Table Community Kitchen, helping to provide cooked meals every Friday.

Through her various roles, Joan raises public awareness of groups locally and through The Courier.

“There are a lot of people who also help. It’s not just me,” Joan said.

“In everything, it always takes a team. It would be remiss of me not to mention the people who help to make these things happen.”

The second nominee, Louise Gett, has served as treasurer of the Narrabri Community Education Trust since its inception in 1999.

Louise is also a Meals on Wheels volunteer.

A founding member of the education trust, Louise has played an important role in the organisation since the beginning.

The trust oversees Federation Farm, with the farming operations providing a means to distribute funds to local schools.

With extensive accounting and management expertise, Louise has been able to guide the trust which has operated Federation Farm successfully for 23 years.

More than $1 million has been distributed from the trust to local schools to improve education outcomes.

The third nominee for Citizen of the Year, Darryl Campbell, has requested that the details of his nomination be kept private.

The Australia Day awards will be presented at a ceremony held at the Narrabri Aquatic Centre from 10am on January 26.