Braidwood celebrated Australia Day in Ryrie Park on Thursday with the presentation of six awards. The presentations were preceded by a performance from the Braidwood Folk Club. Presenting the awards was Australia Day Ambassador to Braidwood, Ms Lindy Hou, a cycling medalist in the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Mr John Maddrell was awarded Citizen Of The Year, after many years service to the community in many different capacities. John has been part of our Rural Fire Service for over 55 years, and given 30 years service to the Braidwood Show Society, including 2 terms as President. His work for the Braidwood Central School P & C Association has seen him honoured as a Life Member.
John has worked for the Braidwood Chamber of Commerce, Braidwood Tourism, the Braidwood Bears Rugby League Club and the Redbacks Rugby Union Club. He is a long standing member of Braidwood's Lodge of Truth, and worked on the committee that built the Braidwood Swimming Pool. He has even been Braidwood's resident Santa for 25 years.
At each Anzac Day and Australia Day celebration in Ryrie Park he has assisted with the loudspeaker system. "In fact he is here today doing that now," said Barry Waters as he announced the winner.
COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR
The Community Event of 2005 was the Parade of Birds part of the Two Fires Festival held in April. This particular event involved almost every school age child in the district and those adults who didn't actually take part were all part of the huge crowd that witnessed it.
This event took place on the Saturday evening of the Two Fires Festival. Carrying bird puppets and symbols. Those who took part formed a procession that began at the Scout Hall and wound its way up Wallace Street to finish in Ryrie Park. It was the culmination of two weeks preparation by Braidwood children guided by a group of workers from Victoria known as Burning Sensations.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
This year's Community Service Award was awarded to Geoff Bunn, who has served the Braidwood community in many ways. He is a committee member of the Braidwood Show Society. As a member of the Lodge of Truth he has been a driving force behind its annual wood raffle that has raised money for the Multi-purpose Health Service and Braidwood Care.
Geoff has been a committee member of the Defensive Driving Course that was held for young drivers of the Braidwood district. He is the Captain of the NSW Fire Brigade and for his contribution to the Brigade he has been awarded the long service and good conduct medal. He has been Chairperson of the Snowy Hydro Fundraising Committee that has raised over $12,000.
CULTURAL ACHIEVER
This year's Cultural Achiever Award went to the Braidwood Film Club. The club is part of the 355 Committee that looks after and promotes the National Theatre. The Film Club has been functioning for 4 years and during that time it has screened a varied and stimulating collection of carefully chosen films. This has meant 25 or 26 programs each year. The membership is about 80 people who are who are always keen to see the carefully selected programs. The organizers of the club are Aaron Pont and Michelle Robison, who accepted the award with Garry Hovey.
OUTSTANDING SPORTSPERSON
This year's award for Outstanding Sportsperson is awarded to Brittney McGlone, a young person who has lived in the district for a little more than a year, but her contribution to sporting competition has been felt immediately.
Brittney has won trophies for her horse riding during 2005 at Tarago Show and shows at Bungendore, Queanbeyan, Yass, Illabo and Cootamundra. At the Braidwood Show she was awarded the Crossfire Pty Ltd Braidwood Gold Cup, the R.T. Hassall Cup, the K and T Harrison Trophy. At last year's Sydney Royal Easter Show she was named the most successful stock horse rider under 18 years.
Brittney attends Braidwood Central School where she was the Senior Athletics Girl Champion and the Senior Swimming Girl Champion for 2005.
Brittney is currently ranked number 1 in Australia for 400m Hurdles U/17 years, won the NSW state title in December. Brittney is being coached by former Olympian Mathew Beckenham at the AIS in Canberra.
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
The award for Young Citizen of the Year went to Jenna Crisp. Jenna has just finished her Year 11 studies at Braidwood Central and will soon be furthering her studies in sport and recreation activities.
She has been an excellent role model for other school students – her application to work and willingness to lead have been much appreciated. She is Braidwood's only Venturer scout.
The awards were followed by a light lunch at the CWA rooms.
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