20 for 2020: Meet 20 of Dubbo's most outstanding people of 2020

From the smoke and dust haze that covered us in January and February to a international pandemic that hit hard at the end of March. It's been tough in one way or another for everyone we've spoken too over the year.

But for some people, they have embraced the year and whatever it has thrown at them, and that's why we have pulled together Dubbo's 20 or 2020.

It's not a complete list, because we wouldn't be able to mentioned everyone that has done something impressive within our community this year, but it is a list of some of the people who have stood out to us here at the Daily Liberal.

We've laughed, and cried, and smiled with these people as we have reported on their stories throughout this crazy year.

Meet Dubbo's Top 20 in 2020

A year that's thrown some curveballs has not stopped this Dubbo cafe owner and chef from going after her goals. The proprietor of CSC has taken the plunge to start a new restaurant in the city. Down The Lane opened earlier this month, with a modern Italian-style menu with a "focus on local food and wine."

The new venture also created 10 new jobs for people in the city.

It's not the only time we talked to Errin this year either - back in August Church Street Cafe (CSC) was giving away free drinks to Karen's in Dubbo. Social media had dubbed all rude, obnoxious middle-aged white women as 'a Karen' and the team at CSC decided they needed a little break. It was a nice touch for all the nice Karen's in the community.

This couple were behind the makeover of the Ray family, who lost their son to cancer earlier this month.

They are part of the Rotary Club of Dubbo South, who, along with a number of community supporters, spruced up the Ray Families West Dubbo home.

Erin and Jeremy Ray have been living with their three children in Sydney for the past year, while their eldest son Mitchell fought stage-four rate neuroblastoma. Mitchell died at Bear Cottage earlier this month, before the family were able to bring him back to Dubbo.

The Williams family befriended Erin who accepted their offer to 'spring clean' their home before they returned. They began by cleaning the yard and then made an appeal to the club to undertake a 'mini makeover'. This then lead to businesses and other groups around town getting on board, with a new bathroom, airconditioning service and new furniture for the family.

It's taken this 12-year-old 3.5 years of growing his hair to get it to the length he wanted, before he could cut it off, all in the name of charity.

Mitchell started growing his hair after he saw a television ad for a young boy who wished for a wig for Christmas. After a bit of research the then 9-year-old made the decision to grow his hair long enough to donate to Variety, the Children's Charity.

As well as donating his hair, Mitchell also raised over $1000 for the charity.

It's not every day you can say you've sold the treasurer the tie he wore when he read his budget speech - but that's exactly what happened this year to Kate Griffiths.

The Dubbo business owner had no idea when she sold the tie that it would be highlighted so prominently in NSW Parliament.

The owner of Lazy Sunday Lifestyle said told the Daily Liberal at the time it was an exciting moment, and "nice to get a shout out to a regional area." Earlier in the year Ms Griffiths was forced to temporarily close her physical shopfront for weeks as a result of pandemic restrictions.

It started as a way for children to reach out to aged care people who were in lockdown because of the pandemic, and now the project has grown.

Connected AU director Mea Campbell told the Daily Liberal the organisation processes around 570 letters each week and plans are being made to grow.

"So far, the impact has been phenomenal, the biggest piece of feedback and the most consistent response we've seen is that it's made people feel very visible," Ms Campbell said.

Ms Campbell said the project helps the forty percent of Australians in aged care that don't get any kind of visits.

Finding a space that would allow artists to expose and sell their work has put Laura Dunkley on our Top 20 of 2020 list.

Laura came up with the idea of Creative Fusion earlier this year, and opened the shop in Talbragar Street, with 20 local artists from across the region taking part.

The exhibition space has a rotating roster of volunteers manning the shop, and has had an overwhelmingly positive respose since it opened in September.

The artists come from across the Central West and the pop-up gallery not only includes art but items such as earrings, ceramics, cards and clothing.

After a massive 2019, the Buy from the Bush founder has had an even bigger 2020.

This year the organisation launched an online marketplace with backing from PayPal, in a new chapter that's about long-term sustainable support for rural communities.

BuyFromTheBush started in 2019 by Ms Brennan from her home in Warren, and in the first year has attracted more than 450,000 followers across its social media platforms.

Carolyn and Rick Lean say they lost their son the day he was sentenced to jail.

There was nothing they could do for him, because there was no drug court, and no rehabilitation centre here in Dubbo. Their son took his own life in 2018 after years of struggling with drug abuse and mental health.

Since then Carolyn and Rick have been telling their story in the hopes that it would make a difference and show why a drug court and rehabilitation facility in Dubbo.

A rehab facility was announced for Dubbo in the state budget, but there is still no sign of a drug court.

While COVID-19 was the talk around the country, Wellington resident Jayson O'Brien had his own story to tell about the pandemic. He fought it and survived.

But it was his singing as he left the hospital that really made us smile. Mr O'Brien put part of his recovery down to his good lungs, after having been a singer all his life, and the 'blue angels' that helped him through the virus.

"This is the best hospital in the world, the best people in the world, the best medical staff in the world," Mr O'Brien said.

"We've got it all and I'm the proof. I'm the miracle man, they made me the miracle man."

Did you see the yellow ribbons adorning the streets and businesses back in October? You've got Bruno Efoti to thank for those.

Bruno was one of the men behind the first Dubbo Cares Day - a campaign instigated by Tradies in Sight, the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) and Lifeline Central West.

The campaign seeks to encourage community members to have "real conversations" every day, and obtain help when needed.

It's an important message to have received, especially in the year that we have been through.

This was the year Thomas Skinner hit 50 blood donations - and it wasn't even a milestone he was aware of until just before it happened.

Mr Skinner started donating blood a bit over 10 years ago, because his friends were doing it.

Because his blood type is O-negative, Mr Skinner's blood can be given to anyone in need.

When he donates, he usually makes sure to check in on Facebook and tag any friends who he knows hasn't donated in a while.

Nanny Kay made a bit of a name for herself this year - unintentionally - though her many random acts of kindness, helping mothers to put smiles on children's faces.

Nanny Kay came onto our radar after she knitted booties for children at a daycare centre to wear during winter, but further investigation revealled a kind and lovely woman who just likes doing things for other people.

"It's just who I am, I don't know why and I don't want any accolades for it."

Richelle makes our top 20 in 2020 list because turning 40 is pretty important - and because she couldn't have a party to celebrate, Richelle decided to shave her head instead.

And in doing so raised more than $2000 for the cancer council.

Now that's a way to celebrate your 40^th!

Willy and Margie Sowden saw a need at the start of the year, and started to collect. The couple managed to put together an 'overwhelming' amount of donations from the Dubbo community and distribute them to fire-affected families across the state.

It was a tough summer for so many communities, and they were able to help coordinate to provide to those who needed it.

They navigated through a longer COVID-19 business closure than some, gyms were some of the last to return, but still managed to open a second gym in the Dubbo CBD.

In March gyms were put out of action because of restrictions, and they didn't return until June - but a positive approach proved useful.

Fitness Focus owner Andrew Bassett announced the opening of Fitness Focus Central at the Dubbo PCYC from October.

"When you look at two businesses that are all community-focused and all around transforming lives, it just seems like such a natural partnership."

In less than 24-hours the Dubbo community raised more than $18,000 for the Smith family, after their son Durakai was flown to Sydney following a serious accident on their property.

The six-year-old went from an induced coma, to coming out the other side. While there has been (and still is) a long road to recover, the young boy and his family have inspired the Dubbo community this year.

It was a community affair, with Durakai's Angels being the name given to those who helped out.

"It's so heartwarming to see the community coming together to support a family in need," Rebecca Wells, who started the fundraiser, said.

Molly's getting a place on our Top 20 of 2020 because she made us smile this year.

Every Friday the salon owner and hairdresser dresses up - in a bid to make clients and those that see her smile.

When the Daily Liberal met up with Molly this year she had chosen a Kath Day-Knight outfit for her fun Friday. It sure put a smile on our faces.

At 13-years of age, following her parents separation, Charlize Mulholland was unexpectedly met by what she refers to as a demon, depression.

The now 16-year-old is unveiling her darkest moments through a memoir, in a bid to help other teenagers, unexpectedly confronted by mental illness, to speak out and seek help.

The book explores Charlize's lows, her tumultuous relationship with teachers and how she managed to turn a bad situation into something brighter.

We're very impressed with Charlize's commitment.

Pauline McAllister was unanimously endorsed as one of the Dubbo Show Society's three patrons.

It was the first time in the 147 year history of the show that a female patron was appointed.

The honour is bittersweet after the death of a patron in July, Mrs McAllister's husband of 57 years, Trevor.

Ms McAllister, along with her husband, was made an honorary life member of the show society at the 2012 Dubbo Show.

Peter Gibbs was named as our Australia Day ambassador for 2020.

He has lived in Dubbo since 2001. He is the founder of the Indigenous Police Recruiting Our Way (IPROWD) program.

He used his speech to remind everyone in Australia that they have "so much to be grateful for". He also urged Aboriginal people to lift their heads up and be proud.

Peter also spoke about the Black Lives Matter rallies in the United States. His younger sister died in police custody when she was 28-years-old.

Is there someone we have missed? Share their story with us: