Australia Day awards and recognition

28th Jan 2025

Outstanding community service and achievement was recognised at the 2025 Australia Day Awards dinner held at the Guyra Bowling Club on January 25th.
Wayne Mendes was announced as Guyra’s Citizen of the Year for 2025, for his work with the Guyra Volunteer Rescue Association. He has been an active member of the group since 1986 and has held the position of Deputy Captain and Captain. Wayne’s ongoing mentorship and drive from over 40 years to VRA Rescue NSW has given shape to the organisation’s direction.
Other nominees in this category were Donna Davidson, Mitchell Hope and James Warren.
Armidale Regional Council Mayor Sam Coupland was joined by this year’s Australia Day Ambassador, Brad Farmer who delivered the Australia Day address.
Best known as Australia’s beach ambassador he says to him Australia is just one big beach whether you live on the coast or in the outback.
“While we have 27 million people in Australia, we have 27 million different stories and interpretations to be told about Australia day,” Mr Farmer said.
“The theme of Australia day is reflect, respect and celebrate. On this day we should respect each other’s opinions, we should reflect on each other’s opinions, but we should also celebrate being Australian.”

Guyra’s Young Citizen of the Year is Charlie Ward. Charlie volunteers at the Lamb & Potato Festival and has also helped out at the local Pony Club Camp where she helps instructs junior students and assists with night time supervision. She has a long list of sporting achievements and has demonstrated that she is willing to try many things.
Mitchell Hope received this year’s Community Service Award. Mitch is the President of both Senior and Junior Soccer Clubs, is an active member of the Rural Fire Service and committee member of Wards Mistake Progress Association.
He is actively involved in the parent body at St Mary’s where he has supported the school in many different areas. Over the years Mitchell has also supported, aided and helped many different groups and committees in the Guyra Community.
The Community event of the Year was the 2024 Christmas Carnival. Organised in conjunction with Armidale Regional Council it is a great example of how a community group can work together with Council to provide an event for the whole community.
The Guyra Anglers Club was acknowledged for their Contribution to Sport and Recreation in Guyra They organise fishing events such as the Gone Fishing Day, the John Wilcox Trout Classic and the Youth fishing clinics. The club is hooked on helping out our local and wider community members to learn all things fishing.
The Sports team of the Year was the Guyra Polocrosse Club who were the 2024 NSW Club Champions. They held a successful Carnival in April and members of the club travelled to many carnival bringing home awards.
Also nominated in this category were the Guyra Veteran Golfers and the Guyra Junior Rigby League’s Senior League Tag team.

Sportsperson of the Year went to Michael Jackson. Michael represented Australia in Veterans hockey at an international level in the Netherlands, winning bronze. He was also a silver medallist at the NSW State Championships, Pan Pac Games, and was a member of the winning team in the Inverell Hockey competition. In golf, he was the Guyra B Grade Champion and Guyra Open winner.
Also nominated in this category was Ashleigh Richardson and Ella Vidler.
Environmental Citizen/Group of the Year was taken out by Bald Blair Public School for their commitment to educating students around sustainable living. Highly enthused and motivated students participated in all aspects of gardening, including using garden tools safely, weeding, mulching, planting and many other activities.
The Art Drama and Music award went to the Guyra Combined Churches Choir led by Terry Rolfe. The group’s musical repertoire and presentations are a pleasurable experience shared with the community each year, presenting a professional look and performance of Christmas carols at various venues.
Also nominated in this category was Black Mountain Public School.

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