Annette Irving is Warren’s Citizen of the Year.
Mrs Irving was presented the award by Australia Day ambassador Graham Annesley at a packed function at the Sporting and Cultural Centre yesterday morning.
Mrs Irving was recognised for her skills in helping to edit and launch several locally written books as well as her own publication Across the Black Soil Plains, which pays tribute to the Australian Light Horse Brigade, local pioneers and traditional owners of the land.
Mrs Irving’s other achievements include as steward with the show society, president of View club, cultural officer of CWA, Information Centre volunteer, work with the Anglican Church and Calara House Hostel and in her spare time as a member of the Hot Flats choir.
Mayor Rex Wilson officially welcomed guests including Mr Annesley, saying the event “gets better and better each year”.
“We have been blessed with rain over Christmas and New Year. Warren swings on seasonal factors ... it’s important to have empathy with city people, with whom we have the same aspirations and goals in life,” Cr Wilson said.
Mr Annesley said he was pleased to visit Warren as ambassador, with the genuine Australia Day spirit better reflected in regional NSW as compared to the cities.
“Everyone in the room here today, supporting and living in the area, is demonstrating the true spirit of Australia,” said Mr Annesley.
“I wish everyone a fantastic Australia Day and a wonderful year ahead.”
Young Citizen of the Year was Rhiannon Stephens whose achievements as she heads off to university include 2009 school captain, representative of the student council, Caltex best all rounder, Egelabra leadership prize-winner, volunteer charity fundraiser as well as pleasant and helpful part time worker.
The Community Service Award went to 96-year-old stalwart of many local charities Dora Murphy, who has clocked up over seventy years service to organisations such as Far West, CWA and the Anglican Women’s Association and continues to be an active member of many of these.
She rides her gopher to the hospital each day to lend a sympathetic ear to long stay as well as acute care patients.
Young Achiever of the Year was published author and illustrator Heidi Noonan, who was also acknowledged for her outstanding sporting achievements, including equestrian representation at State level.
Popular Business House of the Year winner was Peter and Amalia Browne’s Art Gallery.
The Brownes were recognised for their keenness to promote Warren by their exhibitions, charitable contributions and great service and atmosphere at the gallery, which also houses Amalia’s Balinese Massage Hut.
Mr Browne said he was “speechless for once” and Mrs Browne was thrilled to receive the award at her first Australia Day function.
Community Event went to ‘Sunday in the Gardens’ organised and promoted by Fitz McKay and Melissa Irving with the help of many local volunteers and the generosity of garden owners. A massive $25,000 was raised to carpet Calara House Hostel.
A big field of outstanding young sporting achievers vied for the coveted Young Sportsperson of the Year, with the title going to Matthew Brouff for his swimming achievements including representation at State level, athletic
and squash prowess, as well as success in the inaugural Warren Triathlon.
Matthew Hall capped off a great January, which included the birth of his new daughter, by being named Sportsperson of the Year.
Mr Hall represented Country in the 2009 Outback Rugby League challenge beating hundreds
of players for the five-eight position, and was named Man of the Match.
As an outstanding local Bulldogs player Mr Hall was named Best and Fairest in the Castlereagh Cup competition in 2003, 2004, 2008 and 2009, as well as Castlereagh Cup Player of the Year in 2004 and 2008.
Mr Annesley was presented with an Ambassador’s pin and local books wrapped in a map of Warren shire.
Also acknowledged and given a vote of thanks on the day were the many barbecue helpers, organisers Darren Arthur and Teresa Shields, as well as Vacation Care co-ordinators and children for their great displays at the centre.
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