Road safety advocate Rod Hannifey has received the 2020 Tony McGrane award for service to the community.
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The Dubbo Day awards were held at the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre on Tuesday night.
The awards are given to members of the community who volunteer their time to help enrich the lives of others. They're held annually to mark the anniversary of Dubbo's gazettal as a village on 23 November, 1849.
However, this year the awards were postponed.
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The Tony McGrane Award is handed out to those who have gone above and beyond in the area of their paid employment.
Mr Hennifey has dedicated his life to the transport industry and has a particular focus on road safety.
He is a regular contributor to road safety inquiries, frequently makes submissions to governments of all levels on important transport issues and has made himself available to media all across Australia to promote safe driving.
Thanks to his TRUCKRIGHT Industry Vehicle initiative, the history of road transport in Australia, and safety improvements that have been made to freight vehicles are displayed on his truck.
One of Mr Hannifey's signature efforts has been the rollout of a green reflector marking to indicate to truck drivers the suitable places to pull off the road that may not be recognised truck stops.
It has been rolled out across several states including up and down the Newell Highway. He is also known for his video series of Truckies' Top 10 Tips, which were identified based on a survey he conducted identifying drivers' safety concerns.
Mr Hannifey was unable to accept the award on Tuesday night but five of his children were on hand to receive it on his behalf.
Daughter Katie Hannifey said they were "super proud" of their dad and what he has been trying to do to make it safer for everyone.
There were also nine volunteer awards handed out this year at the Dubbo Day awards. They went to:
Alex Boney
Alex devotes his time to advocating for community togetherness and is always helping out wherever he is needed. Already in his young life, he has spent time transporting children to school, supporting community development events, volunteering at youth programs such as PCYC's Friday night dinners, transporting and training young Indigenous people at touch football, or helping out kids who may be in trouble with the police or having a hard time. He is also a regular volunteer at the West View Drive-In, scanning tickets and making sure everyone gets the most out of their visit.
Alex has developed a passion for working with kids and is happiest when he sees young people in Dubbo programs having fun and reaching their goals. He is well known in the Dubbo community, and thinks we will all continue to see him helping out for many years to come.
A proud Indigenous man, Alex wears reconciliation on his sleeve. He is great fun to be around and is an amazing mentor to many kids in our town, which makes him a very deserving recipient of this award.
Susanne Egan
Sue has been involved in junior rugby league in the Dubbo community for over 20 years. She has been the Dubbo and District Junior Rugby League Secretary for over a decade, as well as being the secretary, registrar and sports trainer for several other Groups within the sport.
Sue has shown total commitment on both a local and regional level, which isn't always the easiest line to tread.
Notably, Susanne was instrumental in the development of girls' and women's league tag in Dubbo, coordinating the Western Rams women's Rugby League since its inception, and serving as secretary of the Goannas Western Women's Rugby League and team manager for all teams.
Sue's dedication to making rugby league accessible to all in the Dubbo community make her a very deserving recipient of this award.
Gargi Ganguly
Gargi has dedicated over two decades to Orana Residents of the Indian Sub-Continental Heritage (ORISCON) as committee member, events coordinator, sports liaison officer and many other roles. She has also been the president and international project coordinator for the Rotary Club of Dubbo, of which she has been a member for over 16 years and involved with such programs as the Chumcriel Language School in Cambodia and Project Dignity in India.
Gargi has also been instrumental in ensuring the success of the Dubbo multicultural festival for the past decade, and has been involved in the Dubbo PCYC for nearly as long.
Her experience across these groups have ranged from fundraising to liaising with national and international groups, from decorating to project management. She is truly willing to help out with any task, large or small.
Gargi is a highly professional migrant resident who has called Dubbo home for over 20 years. Her philanthropic zeal and benevolent nature has led her to unreservedly serve in many facets of Dubbo Community service, extending well beyond those that have been mentioned today.
She is undoubtedly a very deserving winner of this award.
Teresa Greenwood
The award may have come as a bit of a surprise to Teresa, but it certainly doesn't surprise anyone who knows her. Teresa's volunteer efforts have touched many areas in Dubbo, including Taronga Western Plains Zoo's early morning walkers, where she is a Zoo Friends volunteer, and Dubbo's Women's refuge volunteer. She has also been involved with Share the Dignity's 'It's in the Bag' campaign, collecting and donating sanitary items for women and girls in need.
For the past two years, Teresa has also been a volunteer crisis support worker at Lifeline. This year, she has gone above and beyond expectations in this role, answering more than 700 crisis calls.
She is a cheerful and supportive team member to all volunteer Crisis Support workers, and her contributions to this crucial service cannot be understated.
Congratulations on a well-deserved award.
Jack Monro
At nearly 95 years of age, Jack continues to be a very supportive member of several associations, attending all meetings with dedication. Jack's experience as a volunteer ranges from the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association, which aims to improve the rights of pensioners and retirees on low incomes, the Lions Club, Arthritis NSW, the Mixed Probus group and the Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre, now Connecting Community Services.
Jack always joins in enthusiastically and is extremely polite and courteous to all he meets. He gives his full attention to the matter or conversation at hand, ensuring each person he speaks with is the sole focus of his attention and making them feel valued.
With 70 years' experience over our youngest recipient today, Jack's dedication to the Dubbo community is well worth celebrating through this award.
Terrianne Sandry
Terrianne has been involved in sport in Dubbo since her children started to swim and play cricket, rugby and netball. She has continued volunteering her time to these sports after her children have grown and moved on. She has given massive amounts of time to ensuring that children have every opportunity to reach their swimming goals, travelling across Western NSW and ensuring she is up-to-date with the latest procedures so that swimming carnivals meet the most rigorous standards.
Terrianne also served as a coach and committee member at Saints Netball club for over 10 years, as well as a referee. Terrianne's commitment to swimming and netball in particular have meant that countless children and young people across Dubbo and Western NSW have had positive and meaningful experiences while enjoying a healthy, active lifestyle.
For these reasons, Terrianne is deserving of this special recognition.
Audrey Tremain
Audrey is a long-term, active member of many groups and organisations, including the Dubbo branch of NSW Farmers, of which she is a former chairperson and long term member of for more than 30 years, and the Country Women's Association of Wongarbon. She has also been involved with Orana Women in Agriculture, Dubbo Show Society, and Dubbo Baptist Church.
Audrey is very involved with any agricultural and environmental issues and is highly dedicated to any role she takes on. Her encouragement of younger or newer members to be involved is something that stands out to those around her.
Audrey is described as being a strong, bright and keen woman, and very deserving of this award.
Shirley Wilson
Shirely has dedicated her time to various volunteer roles, all whilst holding the position of CEO at the Allira Childcare Centre, which she instigated over 30 years ago, recognising the need for Dubbo's first Aboriginal childcare centre.
She has shown great leadership in all of her roles, including as Chairperson at Dubbo Aboriginal Community Working Party and Ngurambang Out of Home Care, and Deputy Chairperson of the Three Rivers Regional Assembly. Shirley has been the spokesperson for these groups, liaising with various sectors within Dubbo to talk on matters regarding the local Aboriginal community.
Shirley has a real passion for Aboriginal youth and would like to see more opportunities for them, and safe spaces within the community. She continues to juggle a very busy schedule to advocate on their behalf. She is a very deserving recipient of this award.
Ian Wray
Ian has a strong history of volunteering and brought his successful business management skills into his role as past president of the St Vincent de Paul Society's St Brigid's Conference. During this past, very stressful year, Ian has supported all other Conference members. He leads from the front and gives most generously of his time and talents. He is never too busy to sit and listen, giving without considering personal cost to himself.
As a former Councillor of Dubbo City Council, Ian has continued to check in on those who have followed him into office and lend a sympathetic ear or quiet word of advice. Ian is always kind and compassionate, and shows great empathy towards others. He embodies perfectly the message of Vinnies in all that he does.
Ian is a very deserving recipient of this award.
The award recipients are selected by a committee of community members, all of whom are past recipients of a Dubbo Day Award, as well as mayor Ben Shields.