So often the recipient of the Service to Sport award at Dubbo's Australia Day ceremony plays down the award, stating they volunteer their time out of sheer love of the game.
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Karen Granger was no different on Sunday but took the chance to dedicate her honour not only to sporting volunteers, but those who give up their time for any type of activity in the Dubbo community.
Granger was a worthy winner of the prize at Victoria Park, and not just because of her work as vice president of the Dubbo Netball Association during the past year.
Granger has been a part of various community events and organisations across the years, sporting and non-sporting.
She's been involved with Dubbo netball committee for close to a decade but she also spent eight years working with the Dubbo RSL Physical Culture Club and Dubbo City Physical Culture Club, five years with Orana Aquatic Swim Club, was part of the Dubbo District Pre-School board, and has helped out the Dubbo Cycle Club.
There's been much more community involvement as well but Granger said she's just one of the countless people in the community who puts time into causes they're passionate about.
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"It's amazing and I accept this award for all volunteers," she said.
"Not just the sporting ones but the likes of people who deliver Meals On Wheels, the Pink Ladies, the bushfire brigade and all those volunteers, that's who I accept this award for.
"I do what I do because I love it and I enjoy helping the kids and the community.
"I thank the support of my husband and two girls because without them giving me the time away from work and family life I would't be able to do this."
Like many within the Dubbo Netball Association, Granger singled out the late Nita McGrath as someone who continues to inspire her now.
This coming Thursday would have been the birthday of the long-serving Dubbo Netball Association volunteer, someone who epitomised the game and would help in anyway she could.
McGrath passed away in late 2016 but her kind of work and attitude is something Granger and many others within the Dubbo Netball Association now continue and players of all ages have benefited.
Dubbo juniors and their efforts on the representative stage go from strength-to-strength but the one thing which has evaded the association in recent times is glory in the senior grades.
The senior representative side has been forced to watch Orange dominate the Central West Regional League in recent years while Bathurst has also enjoyed title wins.
"This year hopefully we've got a strong side that can take out the regional league in Orange," Granger said, looking towards the new season.
"We haven't done that for about 30 years as Orange and Bathurst has dominated."
Sunday morning was a special one for Dubbo Netball Association as Molly Croft was named Dubbo's Young Citizen of the Year.
It has been Australia's lost summer. Drought, hail, floods and, worst of all, bushfires have ravaged communities all over the nation. But the selfless actions of friends, family, neighbours, strangers, local groups and volunteer organisations have inspired us and strengthened the bonds of community. Please join us in saying thanks to the heroes of the home front by sharing your stories of gratitude. To salute a person or a group, please use the form below.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
