Gunnedah’s Australia Day Award winners will be announced on Friday at the Gunnedah Town Hall.
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Check out this year’s Citizen of the Year award nominees below:
Kate Mackley
Citizen of Year Award (21-40 years)
Kate Mackley, has been nominated because she is a mum with a job and three children, yet she still finds time do her university course and help the community in so many ways. People that know Kate will appreciate her efforts to make this world a better place, and to make sure that everyone is happy.
Ronald McLean
Citizen of the Year Award (40+ years), Ossie and Beryl Campbell Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award, and Cultural Award
Ron McLean has been nominated for his contributions over several decades to the civic and community life of Gunnedah.
George Avard
Citizen of the Year Award (40+ years)
George Avard was an original member of the Gunnedah Pony Club, and was chief instructor at Boggabri. He still judges regularly at ribbon days.
He has been on the Gunnedah Show Society committee for about 45 years, and was president for five years. In 2018, he was the instigator and the project manager of the Energy, Innovation and Mining Expo (eIMEx).
Mr Avard organised a hay drive for the farmers suffering after the Dunedoo and Coolah fires and has assisted the Australian Red Cross in its fundraising activities.
John Alker
Citizen of the Year Award (40+ years), Ossie and Beryl Campbell Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award, and Community Event Achievement Award
John Alker and his family were instrumental in starting the Wean Amateur Picnic Races in 1933. He became president of the committee in 1965 and has remained in that position for 31 years.
He served in the Boggabri Rural Fire Brigade for 61 years, serving as captain for 25 years. He was also the vice-president of the Boggabri Show Society for 10 years, and president of the Gunnedah Polo Club for three years.
John also chaired the Boggabri branch of the NSW Farmers’ Association and was a member of the Boggabri Wheat Handling Committee.
Haylee Murrell
Young Citizen of the Year Award – 21 years and under
Haylee Murrell is a member of Gunnedah Show Society and is the current Gunnedah Showgirl. She has participated in the Gunnedah Eisteddfod and emceed the 2018 Lions Youth of the Year competition. She has also assisted at Gunnedah Riding for the Disabled.
In 2018, Haylee received scholarships from GRASS Industry and the RAS and was the recipient of the Rotary Cotton Youth Camp Cadetship.
At Gunnedah High School, Haylee was senior council member for the last two years and vice-captain in 2018. Over the last few years she has won countless academic awards and commendations.
Michael Broekman
Ossie and Beryl Campbell Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award, Citizen of the Year Award (40+ years), and Community Organisation Achievement Award
Michael Broekman has volunteered his time and skills to various community organisations over the years, including the St Mary’s College board, Sunnyside CCC Committee, and the Business Partner Program.
He is general manager of Namoi Valley Brickworks and allows the Gunnedah Pottery Club to use the kilns. He has been part of Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce for more than 20 years and chairs the skills development project, and is a representative for Gunnedah Shire Economic Development Committee.
Michael has been part of the NSW Fire Brigade for 20 years. He was awarded a National Medal for Service, a Unit Commendation for Meritorious Service and a Good Conduct Medal with one clasp.
Jessica Moore
Young Citizen of the Year Award (21 years and under), and Junior Female Sportsperson of the Year
At Gunnedah High School, Jessica Moore was Girl’s School Captain and Chair of Senior Council in 2018. In 2018 for Year 12 she was presented a number of awards.
She has been heavily involved in community and sporting activities, including the Gunnedah Showgirl competition, Gunnedah Campdraft Club, Northern Branch Stock Horse Society, Gunnedah Tennis Club and the North West girls’ tennis team.
Christiane Birkett
Citizen of the Year Award (40+ years)
Christiane Birkett is the local librarian at Gunnedah Shire Library and is the brains behind the programs, which have put the library on the map. These initiatives include Senior Brain Games – an award-winning dementia and aging program – and house-bound and shop-bound book delivery for people unable to get to the library.
She partners with Gunnedah GoCo, Mackellar Care and Law Access to ensure the most diverse means of access are available to book lovers and beginners alike.
Jaimie McElroy
Young Citizen of the Year Award (21 years and under), Junior Female Sportsperson of the Year
Jaimie McElroy excelled in both academic and sporting activities in 2017 and 2018. She achieved an outstanding ATAR whilst also competing in horse riding events.
She is a polite, friendly competitor and enjoys the company of her fellow competitors, treats her horses with respect and is a pleasure to have at competitions.
Bob and Val Hodges (separate nominees)
Citizen of the Year Award (40+ years)
Val and Bob Hodges have been members of the Salvation Army most of their lives and are also life members of the Gunnedah Show Society and the Gunnedah Triathlon and Cycling Club. They regularly took part in races to Inverell and Coonabarabran.
In 1999, Bob became the second person to ever have triple heart bypass at John Hunter Hospital and about 12 years later Val suffered a stroke.They have both supported, comforted and looked after each other through these times and are fortunate and grateful to have wonderful family, neighbours, friends and nurses who go out of their way to assist them daily.
Rex Baldwin
Community Organisation Achievement Award, and Citizen of the Year Award (40+ years)
Rex Baldwin has been nominated for the coordination and development of Gunnedah Country Music Muster with his partner Val Williamson over the last four years.
Through his love of country music, the muster is continually gaining popularity. Rex organises all of the artists, does all the work with the stage, and takes care of everything that has to be done to run a successful event alongside his family members.
NVI will publish more Australia Day Award nominees over the coming days.