2020 Australia Day awards recipients announced

2020 Australia Day awards recipients announced

The 2020 Yass Valley Australia Day Award recipients have been announced today at a community breakfast in Coronation Park, Yass.

John Hedges has been named Citizen of the Year for his countless years of service to community and volunteer organisations, including the State Emergency Services, NSW Rural Fire Service, Yass APEX Homes and Driver Reviver. John joined the Manton Rural Fire Brigade at the age of 16 and has served 50 years as an active member, responding to many fires, car accidents and local and state emergencies. He signed up to the SES in 1994 and was the inaugural Local Controller, clocking up 25 years of service and putting up his hand to help in many major incidences such as the Thredbo landslide, flood rescues, missing person searches and storm cleans up. John also spearheaded the set-up of the Mundoonan Driver Reviver sites on the Hume Highway and has been the co-ordinator since 1997 as well as leading the Yass APEX Club and supporting the NSW RSL Sub Branch. John is a humble and hardworking man who can always be found on the end of fire house, driving a flood boat or offering tired motorists a cuppa.

Rodney and Judith Roberts are joint recipients of the Senior Citizen of the Year award for their long standing volunteer roles within the community of Wallaroo. Together, they have restored the historic Allwood Cottage, which is one of the best examples in NSW of a fully restored slab cottage. Here, they host visitors free of charge and work to educate the community on the history of the area. Rod runs a free computer program for seniors, Judy advocates to keep Wallaroo clean and safe and both are life members of the local RFS, progress association and residents’ group.

Benjamin Wylie was named Young Citizen of the Year in recognition of his volunteer work in the sporting and youth communities. Born and bred in the Yass Valley, Ben has a long involvement with a number of local sporting organisations, including Yass Touch Association, Yass Senior Rugby League and athletics. His passion, commitment and support has inspired our younger generation to excel and follow their dreams – in all areas of life.

Recognised as one of the most regular and prominent community events in Murrumbateman, the Murrumbateman Village Markets has been named Community Group of the Year. The Market has been running for seven years and is held twice a month on the Village Green, specialising in local produce and handicrafts. It provides a meet and greet space for local residents, performance space for local artists and is a proud supporter of local sporting and community associations.

Two Mayoral Awards were announced, with Lillian Bell acknowledged for her work in Indigenous Advancement and the Yass Bushfire Relief Centre for its group efforts in Community Service. Well known and well respected Ngunnawal Elder, Lillian Bell is a committed and a compassionate citizen for positive change. She has preserved in keeping the Aboriginal culture alive for the Yass Valley community, including helping restore the Ngunnawal Language at the start of 2019.

Within days of the disastrous New Year bushfires across the State, a group of local people - led by Adrienne Steward and Janno Scanes and supported by Wells Transport and countless volunteers – a relief centre was set up in town to support people in need. The local community rallied behind this centre with the donation of a shed and transport, volunteers and thousands of dollars in donations that have been disseminated to fire affected communities.

Kevin Mitchell and Alan McNeil were honoured with Community Service Awards. Kevin is an outstanding citizen of Yass and has been recognised for his energies and enthusiasm in growing Yass Food Care. Alan gives up much of his time to the Sutton community, whether it be through his volunteer work with the Sutton and District Community Association, the Sutton Landcare Group, as co-author of Sutton Stories and through regular gardening and maintenance throughout the village.

“Yass Valley is a very special place to call home, but what makes it special are the exceptional individuals who volunteer tirelessly for their community,” said Mayor, Rowena Abbey. “It is always wonderful to publicly acknowledge our award recipient’s contributions at our annual Australia Day breakfast.”

2020 Yass Valley Australia Day recipients:

Citizen of the Year – John Hedges Senior Citizen of the Year – Rodney and Judith Roberts Young Citizen of the Year – Benjamin Wylie Community Group of the Year –Murrumbateman Village Markets Mayoral Award for Indigenous Advancement – Lillian Bell Mayoral Award for Group Community Service – Yass Bushfire Relief Centre Individual Community Service Award – Kevin Mitchell Individual Community Service Award – Alan McNeill

28 January 2020

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