Inspirational community contributions celebrated
Well known Narrandera Shire resident Rex Evans was rewarded for his generous and ongoing contribution to Narrandera shire communities over many years with the 2023 Citizen of the Year Award.
Rex is an enthusiastic member of Narrandera Basketball Association with hundreds of Narrandera juniors benefiting from his passion for the sport since he began coaching junior basketball in 2005.
He currently holds the position of Director of Coaching and has been instrumental in junior development, focusing on foundation skills and sportsmanship.
He was recently appointed to the Narrandera Shire Council’s Sports Stadium Advisory Committee to advise on the development and future planning of the facility and has been a keen member of the Lake Talbot Environs Committee since its inception in 2004 as well as Committee Chair for the past 18 years working to improve the area both environmentally and for recreational use.
Rex has also volunteered in community groups in Grong Grong including Grong Grong Rural Fire Service since the early 1990s, Grong Grong Public School whilst his children were at the school being a member of the school council and P&C Association and president for many years.
Other Australia Day Awards winners were:
Organisation of the Year
- Barellan Working Clydesdale Committee.
The Barellan Working Clydesdales “Good Old Days” Festival roared into action over the October long weekend 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to Covid.
The event welcomed over 380 caravanners and set a single day attendance record with over 7,000 visitors on the Saturday.
Barellan Working Clydesdales committee consists of 25 residents, who work both individually and as a team to deliver the festival.
Their nomination recognises their outstanding work, and the time, effort and passion they put in to make this event happen.
Thank you to the many volunteers who assisted at the 2022 festival from across the region.
- Kurrajong Supported Living
Kurrajong Supported Living support their clients to be independent, and an active member their community, encouraging and assisting them to attend as many local activities and events as possible. Clients can be supported when working in local businesses.
This encourages inclusiveness and also increases their skills and confidence.
The Kurrajong Drama group recently held another sell out concert with staff going above and beyond to for their clients.
Through the newly completed multipurpose building in East Street, the Kurrajong Supported Living team can now offer increased and more accessible support including allied health services.
Environmental Citizen of the Year
Nella Smith: Nella’s daily focus is all things environmental – if you want to find her, she will be somewhere in the bush.
Currently Nella holds a position of Agriculture and Environment Officer for the Sturt Group of the Country Women’s Association.
Previously, Nella was president of Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists and is currently the Environmental Sightings Coordinator.
Nella is a member of the bird monitoring team providing sightings data to the Environmental Water managers, she is a delegate to the Yanco Stakeholders Advisory group, regarding the Yanco Creek Modernisation Project and is a member of the Narrandera Koala Regeneration Committee.
Young Citizen of the Year
Brooke Hall Whilst completing her HSC in 2022, Brooke was an integral part of the leadership team.
Awarded the 2022 Directors Leadership Award for her commitment to her leadership role, Brooke was very involved in the Year 12 fundraising committee whose efforts saw over $10,000 donated to Narrandera Can-Assist.
Over the past few years Brooke has volunteered at Narrandera Net-Set-Go, teaching netball skills to young girls and in past years has volunteered her time umpiring for different schools and netball associations.
As an active member of the Narrandera Imperial Football Netball Club, she was voted A Grade Best and Fairest.
This year Brooke will be studying a Sports and Exercise Science Degree off campus so she can stay in Narrandera to continue her work, sporting and community activities.
Senior Citizen of the Year
- John Gerrard: John’s contribution to both the local community and Australia includes many years of service in the Armed Forces and involved in the local RSL.
John proudly represents the MIA District as protocol officer at ANZAC Day Ceremonies, funerals and other official functions.
After joining the Rural Fire Service in 1990, John has been an active member of the Paynter’s Siding Brigade serving as Senior Deputy Captain for many years.
He has attended many incidents in his time as a volunteer including interstate deployments and major fires in NSW.
John was also a valued member of the MIA Rural Fire Service Training Group for many years.
- Beverly Hughes: Beverly has been a member of Narrandera Garden Club for many years and is always the first person to put up her hand to help.
Bev can always be relied on to volunteer her time. She was an integral part of the Narrandera Soroptimists remaining an active member for approximately 40 years.
Bev became a Life Member and held many positions over the year including President and Secretary, and as delegate of the Riverina Division.
She has also been a representative on the Domestic Violence group.
As a member of the Narrandera Race Club committee for over 30 years, Bev holds the position of Junior Vice President and coordinates the catering for the jockeys, barrier attendants and office staff with 2022 being a particularly busy year.
Bev also volunteers at the Narrandera Golf Club helping with catering, and score cards for tournaments and events.
She has been a committee member of Narrandera Pony Club for many years and has volunteered with many more organisations.
In Bev’s own words “our town wouldn’t be what is without volunteers”.
See the full Australia Day coverage in the issue.
This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 2 February 2023.
