Gunnedah Open Boys Cricket Team has had a great year in 2017 and has made its way to the North West Final for the first time in many years. 

The team is made up of quite a lot of young players from Years 8-10, which is a testament to their outstanding ability. 

The boys show their dedication and passion for the sport through their attendance of after school training sessions and their conduct and sportsmanship on their field. 

This group of young men work well as a team and motivate each other to succeed and enjoy the game.

Eve Turner Perpetual Trophy and the Ossie and Beryl Campbell Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award

Delores Worthington has been committed years of service to a number of groups and organisations:

Junior Female Sports Person of the Year Award

Piper has demonstrated outstanding commitment to her sporting pursuits this year representing Gunnedah High School in touch football, league tag, athletics, rugby league, soccer and netball.

She has also represented Gunnedah in touch football, oz tag, league tag, Gunnedah Men’s Football FC and Netball Associations and has also represented her school and community at a national level.

In 2017, Piper was awarded Gunnedah High School Sportsperson of the Year and NIAS Female Athlete of the Year. She was also awarded Player of the Tournament in North West Football Championships and Northern Inland Women’s State Championships.

Piper has also received the Player’s Player award in her participation the Northern National’s Indigenous Football Championships and has represented Australia in the Women’s Football team. Her dedication and future in the sporting arena deserves recognition.

Young Citizen of the Year Award - 21 and under 

A mature and highly-motivated individual, Kustiani has a long history of school service, most notably as Gunnedah High School captain in 2017.

She has received a number of community awards, including the Rotary Club of Gunnedah Award for Consistency and Commitment in all areas (2016), the Karen Carter Chemist Award for Leadership (2017) and the W A Baxter & Co. Positive Behaviour Award (2016). 

Kustiani has served on the Gunnedah High School SRC and Senior Council (2014-2017), Gunnedah Youth Council (2017), volunteered for the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal, and was recognised for her contributions at local and regional levels of the Lions Youth of the Year competition.

She has also received the Gunnedah High School Academic Achievement Award (Dux), the Whitehaven Coal Award for Achievement, and the Caltex Award for Best All Rounder, all in 2017. 

Kustiani was involved in the Central North Cricket winter academy program (2015 and 2016) and represented the North West region in cricket (2014-2016). She was a part of the women’s Tamworth Kangaroos AFL team, volunteered as a Youth ambassador for Milo Blast cricket and Milo T20cricket holiday camp assistant.

Kustiani has a bright future ahead of her and her determination will ensure success in her chosen field.

Ossie and Beryl Campbell Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award

Wayne Langdon has been involved in the Rural Fire Brigade since 1986.

Mr Langdon joined the Gunnedah brigade in 2002 and has been captain since 2007. He has attended more than 500 incidents and and has helped the membership of the Gunnedah Rural Fire Brigade grow with more than 25 people attending training twice a month.

Mr Langdon has helped fight fires throughout the region for many years. He has also been a lay-preacher at the Gunnedah Anglican Church since 2010. He has dedicated his life to helping others.

Community Achievement Award

Jade is a bright and bubbly personality in Gunnedah with a community spirit to match. She volunteers with several community groups including the Salvation Army, the TRAC Markets, Arts Gunnedah, Gunnedah Public School.

She is also as well a participant of the Vibrant Precincts Project with her ‘Just Like Home Project' that brightens up the Gunnedah CBD with reading nooks and homey touches.

Jade has also helped distribute Christmas hampers to those in need for over five years. She is an avid volunteer who is always willing to help with a smile on her face.

Citizen of the Year Award 21 – 40 years, and Community Achievement Award 

Lenelle Ritter is an active member of Gunnedah through her contributions to addressing domestic and family violence, by the coordination of Gunnedah’s White Ribbon Day events. 

Her most notable achievement is her constant dedication to coordinating the Gunnedah and Regional Homelessness Connect Day, which connects  more 300 people at risk of homelessness with much-needed services and practical assistance.

Lenelle is also a member of the Gunnedah Community Roundtable and GCAT.

Young Citizen of the Year Award - 21 Years and Under

Maria moved from Brazil to Gunnedah in Year 5 and has blossomed into a vivacious and enthusiastic young woman with outstanding leadership skills. In 2017, she was voted school captain at St Mary’s College by her peers. 

She is a member of St Mary’s School choir, SRC and an active participant in charity initiatives. Maria has been the compere and master of ceremonies at many Gunnedah events and has represented Gunnedah and St Mary’s College at numerous public speaking events. 

Maria has also been an active participant of Gunnedah Youth Council, voicing concerns of Gunnedah’s youth through the Youth Video Project and raising awareness about youth mental health supports. 

In 2016, she received the Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award, the St Mary’s honour prize, and participated in Relay For Life, as well as becoming an Australian citizen. Maria has been an outstanding young leader in the community and a wonderful role model.

Junior Female Sports Person of the Year Award

Zoe achieved some remarkable sporting results in 2017.

She played for the Australian Indigenous Cricket Training Squad, was selected to tour England in 2018 and has been selected for the Talented Aboriginal Athlete Program of the NSW Indigenous Cricket’s side. 

Zoe was also selected to participate in the Nations of Origin Rugby League Tournament and Imparja Cup NSW. She has previously played in the NSW Indigenous Women’s cricket side at the Imparja Cup and will play again in February at Alice Springs. 

She is a Gunnedah, North West and Central North Cricket representative as well playing for Northern Districts Sydney every Sunday. She has also represented Gunnedah High School in touch football, league tag and was awarded the 2017 Lake Keepit Winter Warrior.

Zoe was also awarded the coveted Premiers Sporting Challenge Medal. Her multitude of sporting success for her age holds her in high regard.

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