Australia Day awards

The Australia Day Awards are proudly presented by the Australia Day Council of NSW and administered by local Councils.

The Awards promote and recognise outstanding examples of citizenship and achievement during the current year, and/or outstanding service over a number of years to a local community or over and above normal employment duties.

Council provides awards for outstanding citizens, sports persons and cultural person in the Local Government Area, as part of the national Australia Day Awards.

Nominations opened Monday 7 November 2022; Dubbo nominations closed 5pm Wednesday 4 January 2023, Wellington nominations closed 5pm Monday 9 January 2023. Recipients were announced at Australia Day events on 25 and 26 January 2023.

History of Award Winners

A full list of award winners from 1981 to current can be found here. (PDF 2MB)

DUBBO NOMINATIONS

The Australia Day Award categories are:

Citizen of the Year
Senior Citizen of the Year
Young Citizen of the Year
Sportsperson of the Year
Young Sportsperson of the Year
Services to Sports Award
Cultural Person of the Year

Nominations closed 5pm Wednesday 4 January 2023.

WELLINGTON NOMINATIONS

The Australia Day Award categories are:

Citizen of the Year
Senior Citizen of the Year
Young Citizen of the Year
Sportsperson of the Year
Young Sportsperson of the Year
Community Event of the Year
Community Service/Achievement Award

Nominations closed 5pm Monday 9 January 2023.

AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD WINNERS - DUBBO 2023

Peter Hargreaves – 2023 Citizen of the Year

Dubbo Regional Council and the Citizens of Dubbo acknowledge the contribution made by Peter Hargreaves and congratulate him on being named Dubbo’s 2023 Citizen of the Year.

Peter has an amazing sense of common humanity and compassion which is continually giving to others, spending many days per week as a volunteer driver for the NSW Cancer Council.

The new Western Cancer Centre Dubbo (WCCD) is a world class centre of excellence for Western NSW and has been opened 12 months and Peter is a familiar and regular face in the waiting room.

The centre would not be able to operate this efficient and effective service without Peter, as he is always there to bring the patients in for treatment when they can’t bring themselves due to illness, financial distress or social disadvantage.

Peter will drive up to 200km one way to pick up patients and regardless of how late treatments are or what is happening in his own life he waits patiently for the patient to complete their treatment and then drives them home again.

Peter goes above and beyond and is always thinking of how he can support and assist patients. Peter is a local living legend and devotes his time to volunteer work. He is a quiet knight who sees a need and fits in. His service to junior and senior basketball, Dubbo Junior Rugby League and the swimming club are well documented but there are so many other ways he contributes.

For many years Peter would sell raffle tickets at pubs and in the community. Those funds were used to assist people in need. Many times these were families and individuals who had flown under the radar but Peter knew and answered the call.

Peter's volunteer work is a true reflection of the great gentleman he is and that is why he is a worthy winner of the 2023 Citizen of the Year Award.

Brian Goodlet – 2023 Senior Citizen of the Year

Dubbo Regional Council and the Citizens of Dubbo acknowledge the contribution made by Brian Goodlet, and congratulate him on being named as Dubbo’s 2023 Senior Citizen of the Year.

Brian has spent his adult life dedicated to community service. In 1981/1982 he served on a committee tasked with launching a parent controlled school. He provided secretarial support and liaised with legal advisers about the school set-up. Dubbo Christian School was launched and Brian served five years on the inaugural board. In 2023 the school will celebrate its 40th anniversary.

In 2009, moved by the philosophies of justice and compassion for people experiencing disadvantage, Brian joined the Management Committee of the Western NSW Community Legal Centre. A not for profit providing free legal advice throughout the region to people doing it tough. He continues to provide wise and enthusiastic support as the Centres volunteer treasurer. Brian has played an instrumental role in growing this community organisation from just a few staff to the thriving business it is today, which employs 20 people and delivers diverse services.

Brian’s commitment to social justice is evidenced by his hours of volunteer labour, over the past 13 years, to ensure people of the Orana Region have access to justice via free legal help. Brian is one of the founding coordinators and leaders of Rediscovery for Men, a group aimed at helping men rediscover hope, purpose and friendship after retirement. Through the sharing of life stories, social activities and listening to inspiring guest speakers, Rediscovery for Men continues to have a positive impact on lives and what started in 2015 as a three-to-four week experiment, is still going strong.

Brian’s dedication to community service spans many years but it’s not just the length of his commitment that stands out – it’s the way he approaches life. Brian is a quiet achiever, the community groups he works with benefit from his wealth of experience and compassion.

Despite suffering significant personal tragedy, Brian remains positive and encouraging, seeing the potential in all he meets, and believing those that suffer tragedy can use it as a life-building experience to enrich the life of others.

For these reasons Brian is a very worthy winner of the 2023 Senior Citizen of the Year Award.

Emily Williams – 2023 Sportsperson of the Year

Dubbo Regional Council and the Citizens of Dubbo acknowledge the contribution of Emily Williams to the sport of Cycling and congratulate her on being named Dubbo’s 2023 Sportsperson of the Year.

Emily juggles a busy career as a first responder and maintains her training and passion for cycling.

She is a quiet, kind team member who has had inspirational success at State and National level in both Track and Road disciplines. Winning the first gold for the Dubbo Cycle Club, Emily's medal haul for 2022 is well deserved for the talent and hard work she puts in to her love for cycling.

During the National and State Track Championships Emily rode with her two fellow Dubbo Cycle Club Members to win the bronze and gold medal respectively in Team Sprint Events displaying the Dubbo Cycle Club "Green Machine" Team Spirit.

Achievements

14/01/2022 - 2022 Masters Women's Road National Championships Ballarat Road Criterium WMAS1 - Bronze Medal.

25-26/02/2022 - Elite/Masters Women's State NSW Track Championships - Dunc Gray Velodrome Track pursuit Elite - Gold Medal, Track individual pursuit WMAS1 - Gold Medal, Track scratch race WMAS1 - Gold Medal, Track Team sprint MWAA - Gold Medal.

11-14/04/2022 - Masters Women's National track championships - Anna Meares Velodrome - Track Time Trial WMAS1 - Gold Medal, Track Team Sprint Open - Bronze Medal, Track Pointscore MWAS1 - Gold Medal, Track Scratch Race MWAS1 - Gold Medal, Track Individual Pursuit WMAS1 - Gold Medal, Track Keirin 2022 WMAS1 - Gold Medal.

For the above reasons and Emily's commitment to her sport of Cycling makes her a very deserving recipient of the Sportsperson of the Year award for 2023.

Jack Deveson – 2023 Young Sportsperson of the Year

Dubbo Regional Council and the Citizens of Dubbo acknowledge the contribution of Jack Deveson to the sport of Junior Motocross and congratulate him on being named Dubbo’s 2023 Young Sportsperson of the Year.

Jack has been a member of the Dubbo Dirt Bike Club since he started riding in 2012 and has had exceptional success in the motocross sport in 2022.

In August 2022 Jack was selected in the Australian team to compete at the World Junior Motocross Championships in Finland where his lap times were inside the top 10 fastest riders at the event, but due to crashes in both his races he finished in 23rd position overall in the world in the Under 14's 85cc class.

In September 2022 Jack was selected in the NSW Team to compete at the Australian Junior Motocross Championships in Rockhampton where he finished second.

Jack finished third in the 12 to 16 years 85cc Expert class at the 2022 Australian Arenacross Championships. Jack won the 12 to 14 years 85cc class at the 2022 NSW Motocross Championships where he was crowned NSW Champion.

Jack finished first in the 12 to 16 years 85cc class at round 4 of the 2022 QLD Sunshine State Motocross Championships. He also finished second in the 12 to 15 years 85cc class at the 2022 East Coast Motocross series.

Jack was selected to race for the Husqvarna Australia Junior Motocross Racing Team in 2022 and has signed to race with the team again in 2023.

Not only is Jack one of the top junior motocross riders in Australia, but he is a respectable young man who does well at school and is a role model for his peers.

Representing Australia at the World Junior Motocross Champions, finishing second at the Australian Junior Motocross Champions and winning the NSW Motocross Championships are amazing achievements and his dedication to Junior Motocross that makes Jack a very deserving recipient of the 2023 Young Sportsperson of the Year Award.

Cameron Porteous – 2023 Services to Sport Award

Dubbo Regional Council and the Citizens of Dubbo acknowledge the contribution made by Cameron Porteous to Dubbo Athletics Club and congratulate him on being named as Dubbo’s 2023 Services to Sports Award winner.

Cameron has dedicated 18 years volunteering to Dubbo Athletics Club. He joined Dubbo Athletics Club committee when his daughter was 4 years old and continues today as a masters athlete member.

Cameron has held several committee roles of the past 18 years including general committee member, treasurer and equipment/uniform manager. He currently holds the role of opens/masters registrar and results.

Cameron assists the committee to set up equipment and helps out during the little athletics season even though his daughter is no longer a junior athlete.

Cameron also helps with operations and administration with the senior’s competition. Cameron is currently an active volunteer for both junior and senior club competitions. When Dubbo hosts regional or state athletic championships, Cameron arrives early to assist Athletics NSW or Little Athletics NSW to set up the equipment for the event and returns to complete the pack up.

Cameron is a valuable committee member and a reliable source to seek assistance when needed. He always helps his fellow committee members. If a job needs to be done, Cameron goes ahead and gets the job done. Cameron's work may go unnoticed to the general community however his hard work does not go unnoticed by the committee.

For the above reasons Cameron is such a deserving recipient of the 2023 Services to Sport Award.

Tony Wheatland – 2023 Cultural Person of the Year

Dubbo Regional Council and the Citizens of Dubbo acknowledge the contribution to the cultural community in Dubbo made by Tony Wheatland and congratulate him on being named as Dubbo’s 2023 Cultural Person of the Year.

Tony is a member of the Dubbo District Concert Band (and its previous entity Dubbo District Band) since 1996, President since 1999 and Life Member since 2015.

He is an active performer not just in the Dubbo District Concert Band but also in other community music ensembles including Big Bands, Wind Ensembles and Flute Choirs.

Tony is instrumental in the encouragement of other musicians in the community, adults and youth alike. He is an example that it is never too late to learn a new skill and you are never too old to participate in community cultural activities.

When Tony joined the band in 1996 he had to get special permission every year to play his saxophone (a woodwind instrument) with the band as it was a brass band. In 1999, when the band was close to folding, Tony took on the role of President and ensured the band continued to function.

When the opportunity arose in 2008 for the band to amalgamate with the Macquarie Wind Ensemble to form the Dubbo District Concert Band, Tony was instrumental in ensuring the success of the endeavour. His guidance, alongside the management committee ensured that the Dubbo District Concert Band grew both in terms of numbers and musician-ship and lead to him being awarded 'Life Membership' in 2015.

Tony has a unique ability to make everyone he meets feel welcomed and valued. Without realising, a kind greeting in the corridor before his music lessons, or small conversation at a rehearsal, has lifted people's spirits and gained Tony the respect of many musicians in Dubbo.

Tony has been Warden at Holy Trinity Anglican Church since 2003 and is a telephone Counsellor for Lifeline and grief Counsellor for National Association for Loss and Grief (NALAG).

It is this tireless dedication to the Dubbo cultural scene, along with various other volunteer roles, that makes Tony a worthy winner of the 2023 Cultural Person of the Year Award.

AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD WINNERS - WELLINGTON 2023

Jennifer Wykes – 2023 Wellington Citizen of the Year

Dubbo Regional Council and the Citizens of Wellington acknowledge the contribution made by Jennifer Wykes, and congratulate her on being named as Wellington’s 2023 Citizen of the Year. Jennifer is the current secretary of the Wellington Garden Club and has been for many years. Jennifer has been heavily involved with the club and participated when the club held its two successful Open Gardens in Wellington in 2013 and 2017.

Jennifer is also the secretary of the very active Wellington Rotary Club and has been of great assistance in organising the Wellington Vintage Fair Street Parade which involved over 100 vehicles, one of the many activities the club runs.

Jennifer has been the President of the Wellington Croquet Club for several years and worked hard in the last 12 months to find an alternate venue for the club when the Bowling Club ground was closed.

In the past Jennifer has also been Secretary of both the Junior and Senior Rugby League Clubs. Secretary of the Geurie Tennis Club and the President of the Wellington High School P and C.

Jennifer has strong ethical and community values and this is made more obvious by her involvement in all the above community activities. They say if you want something done Jennifer is the one to do it and do it well. Jennifer is held in high regard and her inexhaustible energy in making a difference to her community is admirable. This makes Jennifer an extremely deserving and worthy winner of the 2023 Citizen of the Year Award.

Shirley Drysdale – 2023 Senior Citizen of the Year

Dubbo Regional Council and the Citizens of Wellington acknowledge the contribution made by Shirley Drysdale and congratulate her on being named as Wellington’s 2023 Senior Citizen of the Year. Shirley has been a part of the Wellington community for 27 years. During this time Shirley has been an active member of many community groups.

Shirley has determination and drive to get tasks done with an energy that is infectious. So many of the achievements of which Shirley has been a part of and contributed to, are the Wellington Amateur Theatrical Society (WATS) which Shirley has participated in for the past 27 years, and undertaken the role as President for the past 12 years.

As a member of the Wellington Garden Club, a volunteer at the Wellington Lions Club Book shop, a member of the Wellington Hospital Auxiliary and Chairperson for the Health Council. Shirley was instrumental in obtaining two palliative care rooms at the Wellington Hospital. Throughout Shirley's life she has worked tirelessly for Legacy to support veteran families, which included assisting with Bingo, to raise money for Legacy for many years.

Shirley does not look for recognition for her volunteer contributions but Shirley epitomises what a great community citizen is. Shirley has a wonderful outlook on life and continues to give willingly to the Wellington community.

Shirley's age has never stopped her from being an active community volunteer and participating and contributing to diverse activities in the Wellington community. Our community is better because Shirley is part of it. For these reasons Shirley is a very worthy winner of the 2023 Senior Citizen of the Year Award.

Chloe Shanahan – 2023 Young Citizen of the Year

Dubbo Regional Council and the Citizens of Wellington acknowledge the contribution made by Chloe Shanahan and congratulate her on being named Wellington’s 2023 Young Citizen of the year.

Chloe was a strong and encouraging school captain at St Mary's Catholic School and moved to Wellington High School to complete Year 11 and 12. Despite people telling her that the school would not be good enough for her and she should go to school in a different town she was adamant to go to Wellington High School. Chloe wanted to prove that you can achieve whatever you set your mind to and it was not about the school you go to. Chloe quickly settled into the school and became school captain.

Chloe continually provided encouragement to her peers and younger students, showing them that goals can be achieved. While having the typical schooling environment challenges she never gave into peer pressure. This is where her strength and determination was apparent but has always faced challenges head on. Chloe has had health problems since the age of 2 and has battled constant kidney infections and kidney stones which has resulted in her only having one fully functioning kidney. Even though Chloe missed a lot of school, she never let it get her down and continued to strive to get good school reports.

Chloe had a very challenging 2022, with year 12 studies, continuous kidney problems, COVID, and being in a car accident. This seemed to make Chloe even more determined to achieve the ATAR result she was aiming for. Chloe received 46 early entry offers into different universities, and went on to achieve an impressive ATAR mark of 91.5.

With now deciding which university offer to go with, Chloe has also expressed thanks that she achieved her marks due to the help, support and the dedication of the teachers and staff at Wellington High School. Chloe has worked and participated in the additional school activities, the local community and businesses. Some of these are St Mary's Mock Trial Team, fund-raising activities, supported Wellington Arts events, Wellington Eisteddfod and the Wellington Show.

Chloe is always willing to help people, shows excellent leadership qualities and is proud and believes that it is important to support and promote Wellington. It is this incredible commitment to her community and own achievements which makes Chloe a very deserving recipient of the 2023 Young Citizen of the Year Award.

Ronnie Tandy-Bell – 2023 Young Sportsperson of the Year

Dubbo Regional Council and the Citizens of Wellington acknowledge the contribution of Ronnie Tandy-Bell to the sport of Junior Swimming and congratulate him on being named Wellington’s 2023 Young Sportsperson of the Year.

Swimming is Ronnie's passion and his foster mother and family are all very dedicated with aspects of swimming.

During the year Ronnie practices 3-5 days a week at Wellington Aquatic Leisure Centre and also at the Dubbo RSL Swimming Pool for the winter months.

Ronnie has represented and reached high achievements in School, Western, State and National levels in all strokes. When Ronnie represented NSW at National level, Ronnie placed 2nd in the 100m Breaststroke, 3rd in the 100mm Freestyle and 1st in the relay. The relay was an incredible event of Ronnie's to watch as he was the final swimmer to swim and when Ronnie dived in he was behind the leader by 40m. Ronnie's determination and ability got him to the wall where he and his team won by a touch.

Ronnie is also fortunate to represent and achieve fantastic results in athletics. Succeeding in results of 1st to 4th at State and National levels in discus, long jump, shot put and running. Ronnie not only is talented but has an athleticism and sportsmanship which have made people comment to the school of his enthusiasm to help his fellow athletes and is a great ambassador for the school and for athletes with a disability.

Ronnie was born with Cerebral Palsy, a disorder which affects the body's movements, muscle tone and posture. Ronnie wears a leg brace on his left leg to support his muscles. He has also been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and asthma. This has not affected his ability, as he has proven he can compete in multi-class events and succeed, taking away numerous trophies in a variety of events over the years.

Ronnie is always very humble and proud of his achievements and his determination and motivation has Ronnie excelling at not only sport but also in sportsmanship, this makes him a very deserving recipient of the 2023 Young Sportsperson of the Year Award.

Wellington Eisteddfod Canteen – 2023 Community Event of the Year

Dubbo Regional Council and the Citizens of Wellington acknowledges the contribution to the community and congratulate the Wellington Eisteddfod Canteen on being named as Wellington’s 2023 Community Event of the Year.

The Wellington Eisteddfod Canteen (headed by Yvonne Redfern) and partnering with Wellington Christian School have been able to provide a scripture teacher at the Wellington High School for many years and contribute to other community groups due to the money raised through the canteen. It may seem strange to consider a canteen as a community event. However, there is no community event in Wellington supported by so many local community members. Certainly, the organisation and planning by Yvonne is instrumental but she will be the first to say that she could not pull off the Eisteddfod canteen without each and every volunteer that supports the canteen.

The canteen runs for 3 weeks each year and each year the Eisteddfod participants, audience and local Wellington residents say that they look forward to the Wellington Eisteddfod performances but also for the fabulous array of locally cooked foods available at the Eisteddfod Canteen.

So much planning and organising goes into getting the canteen ready for the Eisteddfod, as it is a very busy 20 days of trade. Over the 3 weeks it is phenomenal as the Wellington community come out in droves to help and buy from the canteen, which therefore the amazing volunteers work everyday to man the kitchen, serve food, complete cooking and receive donations from so many local community members. Money raised from the canteen always goes back to the community. This year money was distributed to the Wellington Swimming Club, the Wellington Eisteddfod committee, the palliative care unit at the Wellington Hospital, and towards a scripture teacher at Wellington High School.

Many community events are run by a small committee and the Wellington people contribute and volunteer in so many ways to deliver an event that is recognised across the Central West region. For these reason Wellington Eisteddfod Canteen is a worthy winner of the 2023 Community Event of the Year Award.

Last Edited: 31 Jan 2023