Members of the local RFS took to a somewhat hot and stuffy stage in Armidale Town Hall on Sunday morning to a standing ovation from a crowd of about 120 people there to celebrate Australia Day
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It came as Armidale Regional Mayor Simon Murray presented local representatives of the NSW RFS with the Australia Day Mayoral Award for community service. Volunteers have been battling fires in the New England region since early 2019.
"On behalf of the entire Armidale region, we thank every member of the NSW RFS for their dedication to our community and to their country," Cr Murray said.
"The RFS embodies Australia's beating heart of mateship, compassion and true grit and this reward honours the dedication and selflessness of its members."
Cr Murray said 2019 was a very tough year which could have been a lot harder without the support of the NSW RFS.
Rotary executive member and hockey administrator Jenny McGarry was named Armidale's Citizen of the Year for 2020.
Her selection and the Armidale district's other Australia Day Awards for 2020 were announced today during a ceremony at the Armidale Town Hall.
A passionate and dedicated member of the Armidale community for more than 20 years, Ms McGarry has made her mark at a professional and voluntary level. The St George Bank branch manager was a key player when the bank hosted a NAIDOC Week afternoon tea at the Armidale & Region Aboriginal Culture Centre & Keeping Place.
Ms McGarry serves as treasurer and secretary of the Rotary Club of Armidale AM and assisted in the club's management of the monthly Markets in the Mall.
She served on the committee of Hockey New England and helped coordinate its major carnivals.
This year's Young Citizen of the Year was Zara Blackmore.
Zara is a passionate advocate of mental health and the prominence of women in society.
The Chair of the Armidale Regional Youth Advisory Committee is a member of the Headspace Tamworth Youth Reference Group and volunteers in mental health support.
Ms Blackmore co-founded Female & Fierce, a not-for-profit group to support women locally, nationally and internationally.
Living by the motto Facta non Verba, which translates as 'deeds not words', she headed Youth Advisory Committee activities to engage youth, including free art workshops and art projects.
She is a youth leader with the Armidale St Vincent de Paul Homework Club for disadvantaged children and provides literacy and day-to-day support for Ezidi refugees.
John Harvey was Senior Citizen of the Year.
Mr Harvey has served in many community organisations, including the Armidale Show Society since 1950s and as regional branch Secretary of the Superfine Woolgrowers Association. He established the Country Party Younger Set in the 1950s and is a founding member and past President of Probus Club. The former President of Dumaresq Shire Council is also Patron of the Armidale City Band.
Robin Cameron received the Community Service Award
Service to equestrian activities, including support for pony club and as head coach for Riding for the Disabled Armidale.
Community Event of the Year was won by the Regional Australia Bank for the Suicide Prevention Charity Golf Day and Gala Dinner.
The February 2019 event attracted 136 golfers and raised over $35,000 for suicide prevention research, while raising awareness about mental health issues. Guests for the day included rugby league great Laurie Daley, sports commentator Terry Kennedy and and a Director of Suicide Prevention Australia, Julie Heraghty.
Environmental Citizen of the Year went to the Armidale Urban Rivercare Group.
Led by Bruce Whan, the Armidale Urban Rivercare Group has facilitated hydrology and regeneration works on Dumaresq Creek for about 40 years.
