Australia Day Awards – Aberdeen

IN ABERDEEN the awards ceremony began with a relaxed meal and was hosted by the easy going Ken Wilton.

The Upper Hunter Shire Citizen of the Year went to Aberdeen local Elizabeth Birch for her long history of volunteer work in the community.

Mayor Wayne Bedggood with Elizabeth Birch, Upper Hunter Citizen of the Year.

Since moving to Aberdeen with her husband in 1986 Elizabeth has donated her time and skills to a number of groups including Playgroup, Preschool, schools, St Mark’s Women’s Guild, View Club, Scone Arts and Crafts, Aberdeen Information Centre, the Aberdeen Highland Games and is currently coordinating the Aberdeen Quilt Affair.

Elizabeth said she likes to volunteer and attract tourists to Aberdeen.

“I like to volunteer so that things are better in the community and to attract others to our area and along the way make some lovely friendships,” said Elizabeth Birch.

Lorena Croft was awarded Sportstar of the Year at the Australia Day celebrations in Aberdeen

Lorena Croft was awarded Sportstar of the Year for her involvement with lawn bowls.

Lorena has only been bowling for a few years but has already been district shield runner up and was selected to play in both the NSW Indoor and Australian Indoor Championships last year.

“I’d like to say thank you very much to all of the bowling ladies who have encouraged me,” said Lorena Croft.

The Young Sportstar of the Year Award went to Kelsey French, who has an impressive track record of achievements including:

• selection in the National Indigenous Under 18’s Girls 7 Rugby
  

  Peter Herbert, Australia Day Ambassador with Kelsey French, Young Sportstar of the Year at the Australia Day Awards in Aberdeen.

  Union team to play in Sydney in the National Rugby 7’s Girls tournament;

• a member of the NSW Touch Football Association under 18’s State Development Team and played at the National Youth Championships in Queensland;
• selected for the Hunter Hornets Touch Team under 16’s girls which won the NSW state regional championships and was named Player of Final;
• named in State under 16’s Girls Merit Team, and
• playing for Newcastle City in the NSSW touch under 20’s Country Championships and was Player of the Final in the win over Wagga Wagga.

The Community Group of the Year award went to the Aberdeen Care

Cr Lorna Driscoll presenting the award for Community Group of the Year to the Aberdeen Care Package Cadets: Jonah Pittman, Logan Milton-Smith, Nathan Swinbourne, Peter Connett, Rowan Bateman and Carole Johnston at the Australia Day celebrations in Aberdeen.

Package Cadets, who last year sent more than 600 care packages to Australian soldiers serving overseas.

The group was founded by Carole Johnston in 2011, with Brayden Rowland being the first cadet to join.

Aberdeen group is the only group to send the care packages to personal addressees, making their care packages truly individual.