Robert ‘Bob’ Vidler has been named citizen of the year for his contribution to the Guyra community. He was presented with his Citizen of the Year pin by last year’s recipient Rita Wiliams.
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There was a strong field of seven nominations in this category. Bob was a popular and deserving winner after receiving three separate nominations recognising many years of service to a number of local groups.
Some of the groups Bob has contributed to include the Soccer club, Lions Club, Guyra and District Machinery Group, Guyra Central School, the Combined Churches Choir, the Guyra Hospital Board, Hunter New England Carers Committee, the SES and the Guyra Adult Learning Association.
The awards night was held at the Guyra Bowling and Recreation Club on Sunday and recognised the contribution by residents to the community in a number of areas.
Special guest on the night was Jean Kittson who was this year’s Australia Day ambassador for Guyra Shire. A well-known performer, writer and comedian in theatre and print, on radio and television, Ms Kittson praised the contribution of rural Australia telling the audience that we would all be ‘naked, skinny and living in caves’ without what is produced outside of the major cities.
She also said that ‘Australian’s have more to be grateful for than to grumble about.’
Other awards handed out on the night went to Kelsie Youman who was the Junior Sportsperson and Helen and Blake Finlayson for Contribution to Sport and Recreation.
Kelsie has achieved success in cross country, athletics and soccer. The Finlaysons were honoured for their tireless work across a number of organisations for the advancement of equine sport.
The awards also recognised groups with the Guyra Central School P&C who took out the gong for the Community event of the year. They were behind the Piggy Picnic races which was considered the stand out event of the year. It bought together many groups and organisations to raise money for the local school.
Also nominated in this category were the Ben Lomond Christmas Party, Guyra CWA Ladies Night, and the Preschool Christmas Fair.
Guyra Community Garden was honoured as the Community Group of the year. This collaboration between five different organisations provides a place which the whole community can benefit from. Also nominated in this category was the Guyra CWA for their efforts in attracting younger members and the Ben Lomond Landcare group for their dedicated work improving the aesthetics of the village.
The Tingha community held a separate awards luncheon on Australia Day where awards were presented. Citizen of the Year was Glen Cross, Junior Sportsperson went to Sharnie Cullen, Community Event was the Tingha Tin Festival, Community Group went to the Tingha Citizens Association, Sporting Team of the Year were the Under 16s Minor League, Contribution to Sport and Recreation went to Sharon Gates and Young Citizen was Brandon Livermore.
All very worthy recipients for their contribution to the Tingha community!
