The City of Dubbo’s highest honours have been awarded at the annual Australia Day Awards presented today by the Mayor of Dubbo at Victoria Park.
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Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson said the 2015 winners were outstanding, high-achievers committed to the community, some representing Dubbo to the highest level.
The 2015 Citizen of the Year was presented to Phil Priest for his long-term exceptional service to the community across many areas.
Phil has been an integral part of the Dubbo Macquarie River Bushcare group, is Team Leader for Challenge Community Services - one of the largest disability support services in regional NSW - and participates in tandem bike riding to allow visually impaired people to experience the joy of riding around the Tracker Riley circuit.
He is a long-term member of the Sister City Advisory Committee, has chaperoned students travelling to Japan, conducted Dubbo tours for Japanese visitors, and has hosted Japanese visitors in his home during their stay in Dubbo.
As a former teacher, Phil has also provided many years’ worth of sound career advice and guidance to students, ex-students and their families.
“Phil Priest epitomises the spirit of Dubbo; progressive, inclusive, caring, involved, recognising gaps and being prepared to fill them, giving without expectation of reward, and welcoming to all,” Cr Dickerson said.
“Phil’s hard work and passion for helping others and the community make him an extremely worthy recipient of the 2015 Citizen of the Year Award and I congratulate him on this achievement.”
Grace Parker, a 17-year-old student and Prefect at Dubbo Christian School and member of Dubbo City Youth Council, has been awarded the Young Citizen of the Year Award for 2015.
Cr Dickerson praised Grace’s leadership qualities and involvement in many aspects of the Dubbo community.
In 2013 Grace represented Dubbo in New Zealand as a Rotary exchange student and was selected to attend the National ‘Outward Bound’ youth leadership summit in Canberra. In 2014 she was selected to participate in a leadership trek and walk the Kokoda Track.
Grace holds the rank of Corporal in the Australian Air Force cadets and has been selected to attend Sergeant training in the near future. She has also completed volunteer work in an Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory and is currently serving as a Global Volunteer Network Youth Ambassador.
“Grace Parker has become an ambassador for her fellow youth and leads by example in setting an achievable benchmark for others,” Cr Dickerson said.
“Grace’s contribution to the community and society, together with her positive outlook and integrity, make her a worthy recipient of the 2015 Young Citizen of the Year Award.”
Dubbo cricketer Tim Cox was awarded the 2015 Sportsperson of the Year Award for his achievements and contribution to the game which have spanned three decades and culminated this month in selection for the Australian Country team.
“Tim Cox has played representative cricket for nearly 30 years and has recently achieved the highest honour for any cricketer playing in the country,” Cr Dickerson said.
Tim’s long-running cricket career has seen him play for NSW Primary Schools, NSW Combined High Schools and NSW Under 17’s. He has been a pivotal player with the RSL Colts, played many seasons with the University of NSW in the Sydney First Grade competition, has represented the Western Zone for 10 years, been captain of the Dubbo representative team for two years and coach for the past four, and has been selected for the NSW Country Cricket ‘Bush Blues’ senior team four times.
Tim has also mentored younger players and helped them prepare to play grade cricket in Sydney and further representative honours.
“In addition to Tim’s many achievements, he is also involved in the promotion of cricket in Dubbo, building a strong team culture and fostering pride in playing for the City,” Cr Dickerson said.
“Tim is an extremely worthy winner of the 2015 Sportsperson of the Year Award.”
Young Sportsperson of the Year – Emma Corcoran
Rising hockey star, Emma Corcoran was named Young Sportsperson of the Year for 2015 for her achievement and contribution to the sport.
The 16-year-old has played hockey in Dubbo for many years, representing her school and the City at regional and state level and this year will represent Australia in Europe.
Emma was selected for the Australian Under 16 All Schools team in 2014 after representing school-based teams, the Bathurst Diocese, and the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges team.
In what was a very big year for Emma, she was also named in the Australian Country U/21 team, which competed in Fiji in late 2014 and the New South Wales Under 18 Indoor Hockey team.
Emma also umpires both junior and senior hockey games and assists with the coaching of junior hockey at all levels.
She captains the Dubbo Under 15 representative team that competed in the State Championships. There, Emma won the ‘Play the Whistle’ award for good sportsmanship and fair play as voted by umpires and officials.
“Emma is a great role model for Dubbo hockey and leads by example,” Cr Dickerson said.
“Her many achievements reflect the amount of hard work she has put into the sport of hockey and Emma is an extremely worthy winner of the 2015 Young Sportsperson of the Year Award.”
Service to Sports Award – David Williams
David Williams has been awarded the 2015 Service to Sports Award for his long-term dedication and contribution to athletics and soccer in Dubbo.
David is President of Dubbo Athletics Club, he coaches members, and oversees the running of major events and carnivals involving up to 300 competitors, such as the Cathy Peachy carnival, Zone carnival and New Year carnival.
His involvement in the sport began when his children joined the Dubbo Athletics Club and, though his children have since left, David remains President of the Club – a role he has performed for more than 10 years.
In addition, David also coached RSL junior soccer teams for 10 years and has an affiliation with the Dubbo Bulls soccer club, coaching teams and acting as the club registrar for six years and the club strapper for 10 years.
“David has a very strong community spirit, and has always been willing to get in and get things done to ensure Dubbo’s children are fit and active in a safe and happy environment,” Cr Dickerson said.
“It is his long-term dedication to Dubbo’s athletics and soccer communities that proves that David is an extremely worthy winner of the 2015 Services to Sports Award.”