Tireless volunteer wins Tamworth’s top award

Tamworth volunteer Mike Cashman has today been named Tamworth 2018 Citizen of the Year, having been honoured for his tireless community work.

Mr Cashman received the Australia Day Award at the Tamworth Community Centre alongside Young Citizen of the Year Isaac Moxon and Lara Graham, winner of the Mitchell Brady Encouragement Award.

Since moving to Tamworth in 1965, Mr Cashman has made many contributions to the community.  Mike has been a member of the Tamworth Historical Society for 38 years, he coordinated the Tamworth Bicentenary Celebrations in 2018, and is co-ordinator of the numerous school visits to Calala Cottage.  For 22 years Mike has been a member of the Friends of Tamworth Libraries and is a member of the Tamworth branch of Men of League.  Mike has volunteered at the Tamworth Visitors Information Centres for 30 years and currently responsible for the coach group orientation for the Tamworth Country music Festival.  Mike has also served as a secretary for the Tamworth Collectors Club.

Mike has also contributed significantly to Tamworth sporting organisations being a life member of the Tamworth Zone Public Sports Schools Association and North West Public Schools Sports Association and was a North West PSSA Regional Sports Organiser for 3 years organising carnivals in hockey, soccer, basketball, tennis and cricket.   Mike has served on many committees and been involved in the sports of athletics, cricket hockey, soccer, minor league, rugby league and touch.

Another major contributor to the local community, teenager Isaac Moxon, has been named Tamworth’s Young Citizen of the Year.

The former Tamworth High School Prefect is being recognised for his excellent leadership and communication skills within both the indigenous and wider communities of Tamworth.  He has been a member of the school Student Representative Council and the Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group. In 2018 he was awarded the Platinum Award and a Prestigious Principal Medal from Tamworth High School.

The 2018 Mitchell Brady Encouragement Award was presented to Oxley High School’s Lara Graham for her achievements in sport and dedication to community. 

The event also included a citizenship ceremony where 24 local residents became new Australian citizens.

Nundle also held an Australia Day celebration and honoured three local residents at a formal awards ceremony on Saturday. Nundle Citizen of the Year was awarded to Mrs Shirley Ryan for her dedication to the young, aged and disabled members of the community. The Community Appreciation Award went to Mrs Faye Inman and the Community Recognition Award went to Mr Bladen Street.