CITIZENS in Inverell, Delungra and Ashford have been honoured as part of Monday’s Australia Day celebrations.
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Bob Kneipp of Inverell, Margaret Mell of Ashford and Jim Townsend of Delungra are this year’s citizens of the year across Inverell Shire.
All award winners have been recognised for their valuable volunteer service to their communities.
Inverell's Australia Day breakfast got underway at 7.30am. A free breakfast was provided by Macintyre Lions Club and Inverell Shire Council before the official ceremony at 8.30am, emceed by Duane O'Brien from Lions.
Guests included Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Senator John Williams.
Speaking at Monday morning’s presentation ceremony, Inverell Shire mayor Paul Harmon said Inverell's Citizen of the Year Bob Kneipp had been a hardworking and dedicated worker in every field all his life.
“Apart from being an exemplary family man and a successful manager of his own farming business, he has been a leader in many community organisations and charities over a period in excess of 40 years,” Cr Harmon said.
He has been involved with numerous Ashford organisations including Meals on Wheels, the bushfire brigade and pony club. He was also an alderman on Ashford Shire Council from 1965 to 1979.
In Inverell, Bob has been a volunteer with Inverell Meals on Wheels, Inverell Rotary Club, Inverell Probus and Inverell East Probus, as well as Inverell Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Ashford Citizen of the Year
Margaret Mell has been very proactive and community-minded, and is still involved in several activities in Ashford.
Margaret started the Collector’s Corner at the Inverell, Texas, Ashford and Goondiwindi Shows, was a founding member of the Ashford Garden Club, assists with Ashford Christmas Lights competition, and has been a member of the Ashford Show Society for 28 years, including 18 years as treasurer.
For 11 years she was treasurer of Ashford Community Transport, and has been a committee member and driver for Ashford for Hunter New England Health.
Margaret was also secretary and treasurer for the Ashford Showground Trust for 12 years, and treasurer of East Gwydir Women’s Bowling Club for 11 years. She was also president of Ashford Ladies Bowling Club for five years.
Delungra Citizen of the Year
Jim Townsend, has been chosen for his voluntary work with several organisations, including Delungra Waste Depot, Delungra Community Post Office and Delungra’s Australia Day Committee.
Jim is also the chair of Delungra District Development Council and spends numerous hours mowing in, and around, Delungra, including the two parks.
He is also involved with Delungra’s services for Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.
Young Citizen of the Year
Meanwhile, teenager KC Edmonds was named Young Citizen of the Year at Monday morning’s presentation ceremony in Victoria Park.
“Through his involvement in Inverell High School, the Inverell community and the Clontarf Academy, he has represented himself with distinction and pride,” Cr Harmon said.
“He is a very dedicated person to his chosen sport of rugby league and works very hard to work on both fitness and skill development and is keen to better himself following advice when given.”
Some of KC’s achievements include participation in various sports, a North West School’s Blues Award, selection in the Newcastle Knights Under 16 Harold Matthews team, NSW indigenous Under 16 League representative side and the NSW Country High Schools Under 15 Rugby League side.
His community involvement includes joing the Sydney to Gong Ride raising funds for Multiple Sclerosis.
Two winners for Community Event of the Year
There were joint winners for Inverell’s Community Event of the Year. New England Mutual Charity Fundraiser and Inverell Toughen Up Challenge were both recognised.
“New England Mutual Inverell contribute annually to the community by way of additional funds to nominated organisations. This in turn raising awareness of the organisation’s profiles and promoting their cause,” Cr Harmon said.
The funds raised and donated benefit both Inverell and the surrounding population and their families. Over the past 10 years, $30,000 has been distributed to Inverell District Hospital Dementia Unit, McLean Care Auxiliary, Inverell Prostate Cancer Support Group, Inverell Breast Cancer Support Group, Ronald McDonald House and Operation Operating Room.
The Toughen Up Challenge brings together participants with a focus on healthy living, inclusion team work, living life in a drug and alcohol free manner and just getting outdoors and having fun.
“All funds are redirected back to the Inverell community to improve infrastructure, amenities and services,” Cr Harmon said.
“Visitors from other towns bring dollars in the form of shopping, accommodation, meals etc. The event has now attracted attention from ESPN television program who will be involved in this year’s event.
“To date funds have been given to council for skate park improvements and to the RSPCA Inverell Branch.”
Near the end of Inverell's Australia Day ceremony on Monday morning, a paver was added to the honour path in Victoria Park with the name of last year's Citizen of the Year, Jean Muggleton.
The path, an initiative of Macintyre Lions and the council, lists every citizen of the year since it was first awarded in 1966.