This year’s Australia Day Citizen of the Year, John de Bruin and Young Citizen of the Year, Annie Mugugia were presented with their awards by Australia Day ambassador Andrew Heslop at an Australia Day ceremony yesterday at the Cobar Memorial Swimming Pool.
Mr de Bruin was nominated for his contributions to the Cobar community and his dedication to fundraising particularly through Dancing Under The Stars, which has helped several local charity groups including the Cobar RSL Branch and the Mayoral Chest.
Other worthy nominees for Citizen of the Year award included: Ben Hewlett, Dr Deon Heyns, Brad Lennon, Ron Hanns, Gordon Hill, Gary Fung, Graham Huon, David Snelson, Sharon Snelson and Angela Shepherd.
Cobar High School student Annie’s nomination described her as “an exceptional young role model who is dedicated to her studies and thinks of others rather than herself”.
Cobar Youth Council president Hannah Kriz and teenager Liam Richardson were also nominated in the Young Citizen category.
The Bossie Mitchell Services to the Community Award was presented to Kaye Stingemore.
In her nomination Mrs Stingemore was described as a “tireless worker in our community”.
Mrs Stingemore has worked on many local projects, culminating in the publishing of two books.
“These works required a lot of research and long hours. Mrs Stingemore is always promoting and supporting her town,” her nomination read.
Other nominees for the Community Services Awards were: RSL Sub Branch president Ben Hewlett, John de Bruin, Shane Josephson with the Cobar Arts Council, Men’s Shed coordinator Gordon Hill, CHAMP hospital refurbishment project coordinator Dr Deon Heyns, the local Drum Corp, along with local residents Ron Hanns, Judith Muhlethaler, Chris Higgins, Ben Broughton, David Snelson, Sharon Snelson and Debbie Parisi.
The RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Ball collected the Community Event of the Year award.
The event was organised by the branch’s president Ben Hewlett, with John de Bruin and a committee. The night raised $8,000 for the ongoing World War I Memorial project which is to be erected in Drummond Park.
The ball was described as a great night with fantastic entertainment provided by the Kapooka Australian Army Band for the 100 guests.
Other nominees for Event of the Year were: The 000 Hero Ball, Cobar Business Association’s Christmas Gala Night and Street Parade, Peaks of Colour Fun Run, Carols by Candle Light, Festival of the Miner’s Ghost, Western Studio of Performing Arts Mamma Mia concert, Cobar Show Society’s ANZAC themed show, Cobar Arts Council’s Outback Festival Art Competition and Exhibition, Cobar Public School’s Spring Fair, the ANZAC Re-enactment March, Cobar Miners Race Club race meeting and the Cobar Cadets’ ANZAC Day Parade.
