scone.com.auAustralia Day Awards – Merriwa District
MORE THAN 100 people attended the Cassilis Bowling Club to celebrate the community of the Merriwa District.
To celebrate 2016 being Year of the Pulse, Cassilis local Rohit Gaun served up a wonderful dahl makhni and roti to start the proceedings.
Greg Donovan is the Merriwa Australia Day Ambassador and has fair idea of what it takes to be a good Australian and community minded person with more than $1 million dollars raised by him over the years for numerous causes through his love of sport.
Greg and his wife Raylene travelled from Allambie in Sydney.
Greg founded the Born to Run foundation for type 1 diabetes and now coordinates the Big Red Run fundraising event, a 250km desert run starting and finishing in Birdsville.
The latest fundraising venture is the Big Red Bash at Birdsville with artists such as Jimmy Barnes, Paul Kelly, Troy Cassar Daley and Glenn Shorrock.
The Bash attracts as many people as the infamous Birdsville races. Greg has other community and fundraising ventures in formation.
Citizen of the Year was awarded to Michael Nutt, a local of 74years.
Michael has been involved with many clubs and community organizations in the Merriwa District.
He is a local business owner, after taking over the family earth moving business and gives everyone a fair go.
In his early 20´s Michael excavated the Merriwa Pool, which many locals will enjoy free this afternoon.
Michael was “told he had to go Cassilis” today and was “dumbfounded” when his name was called for the award.
Greg Donovan, Australia Day Ambassador, Sally Hagley, receiving the Young Citizen of the Year Award on behalf of her daughter Elizabeth Hagley and Errol Bates, sponsor of the award.
Young Citizen of the Year Award was awarded to Elizabeth Hagley.
Elizabeth is currently in England so the award was graciously accepted by her mum, Sally who tried to think of what Elizabeth would say in her acceptance.
Elizabeth participated extensively in school activities and was the school captain and president of the student representative council.
Elizabeth also volunteers for various fundraising, sporting and community events. Proud parents Michael and Sally cant wait to Skype her tonight.
Greg Donovan, Australia Day Ambassador with Richard John Wilkinson awarded for Environmental Achievement
The Environmental Achievement Award was awarded to Richard Wilkinson.
Richard has managed to double his yield in the past five years and reduced soil degradation through sound environmental practices.
When receiving the award Richard said, “I thought I was just doing my job”.
The Community Group of the Year was awarded to Cassilis Public School.
They have undertaken an ambitious project to convert 1.2 hectares of
Cassilis Primary School was awarded Community Group of the Year at the Australia Day celebrations in Cassilis.
land previously used to play tennis and hold ponies in days long passed by.
The students have planned, costed, cleared and sought materials where possible to continue the project.
The ponies will again be comfortable with water and free grazing for when the bus breaks down.
Achiever of the Year was awarded to Barbara Wightman.
Barbara is passionate about her community and her love of music sees her playing at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church for baptisms, weddings, funerals and every day service.
The Driver Reviver is another of many community involvements that Barbara is integral in.
Barbara Wightman, Achiever of the Year with Greg Donovan, Australia Day Ambassador.
Barbara´s passion though and heartfelt joy was expressed in her speech at her love of playing for the residents of Gummun Place.
The School Achievement Award was presented to Liam Cronin of Merriwa Central School.
Liam has excelled in Science and Math entering competitions and gaining entry to Macquarie University where he will study science and education.
Liam also is heavily involved in community events and was an active member of the ROAR well-being program.
Math teaching has sparked his interest and Liam said that the $1000
Australia Day Ambassador Greg Donovan with Liam Cronin who received the School Achievement Award
presented would be very beneficial towards the expense of Sydney living.
Liam was very gracious in his speech thanking his mum and school.
The Creative Arts Excellence Award was presented to Matthew Orton.
Matthew created a metal sculpture for his Body of Work for the HSC Visual Arts.
He has been involved in the community and consulted in establishing Merriwa´s Skate Park through the Rotary Club.
He has involvement in the boys well-being program ROAR and gets
Australia Day Ambassador Greg Donovan with creative arts excellence recipient Matthew Orton.
involved in many local fundraising and community events.
Tags: Australia Day