The Australia Day awards were held yesterday at the Cobar Memorial Swimming Pool with this year’s Australia Day ambassador and charity worker Katryna Robinson helping to hand out the awards.
The Rotary Club of Cobar was recognised with the Bossie Mitchell Service to the Community Australia Day award for their continual efforts in the community.
Despite 2020 being a COVID-hindered year for the club, the Rotary Club of Cobar continued to: offer drought relief support to 150 local families with their eight hard working volunteers; collect cans and bottles to recycle; and catered for events in the community wherever possible.
According to their nomination, the club’s efforts were recognised in 2020 with the Orana Volunteers of the Year award as a part of the NSW Volunteer of the Year awards program and their further recognition now within our own community is only fitting.
The Cobar Business Association Christmas Street Parade has won the Australia Day 2020 Community Event of the Year award.
According to its nomination, the Christmas Street Parade, organized by the Cobar Business Association volunteers, showed Cobar at its very best, with everyone celebrating together.
It was reported to be a tremendous night that combined community efforts (in preparation and on the night) to create fun for all ages at the end of such an unpredictable and challenging year.
Can collectors for charity, Rob and Rachel Collingridge have won this year’s Environmental and Sustainability Australia Day award.
According to their nomination, the couple greatly deserve this award for the tireless work they and their many helpers, have completed over the past two years collecting thousands and thousands of aluminum cans, ensuring they are properly recycled, saving them from ending up as rubbish around our beautiful town.
As a double win, it was also recognized that Rob and Rachel donate every dollar they raise to various charities in need.
Bruce Shuttle was recognised as our Citizen of the Year after more than 16 years of service to the community.
According to his nomination, this award recognises more than just his efforts in 2020 as the caretaker at the Cobar Cemetery, but gives credit to his continuous dedication and support of the Cobar community over his life.
Bruce has been described as a huge asset to our town, especially through his work at the cemetery over the last 16 years, looking after everyone’s loved ones.
Conor McMullen has been awarded Young Citizen of the Year in recognition of various school and sporting achievements and the contribution he makes to our community.
Conor’s nomination highlighted his community contribution volunteering and assisting in community events such as the Night for Our Lost Miners event, the CC Eagles Basketball Club Geelong Virtual Walk, the Christmas Street Parade and Gala night and the Arts Council’s annual exhibition.
This extends to his involvement in the Cobar Roosters 2020 U18s Premiership winning team and his leadership as the Cobar High School Captain in 2020. Conor was also recognised for his various Cobar High School perpetual and academic achievement awards.
