It was a typically hot and dry Australia Day in the Cabonne Shire last Saturday with more than 50 locals gathered in Morris Park to congratulate the Australia Day award recipients.
Leanne Stevenson was awarded Citizen of the Year for 2019. Leanne is inspiring with her sheer volume of community involvement. Leanne busies herself with long term mentoring, coaching and volunteering with the Canowindra Tigers Rugby League Club and became the only woman ever to receive life membership over 15 years ago.
Leanne was also awarded life membership to Canowindra Little Athletics Club in 2017.
Leanne runs her own nursery business and freely propagates her seedlings for the Canowindra Community Garden. Leanne is never short of patience, kindness, compassion and caring, always helping where needed and is a quiet achiever.
“I am very excited to receive this award, and I would like to thank the Canowindra Community and Cabonne Council. It is very easy to be a volunteer in Canowindra because of the wonderful people, I enjoy every minute of it,” said Leanne.
William Wright was awarded Young Citizen of the Year with his award being accepted by his father Tim as he is currently overseas travelling. Will was elected School Captain of Canowindra High School for 2018. Academically, Will is an outstanding achiever, particularly in the area of science where he received the Victor Chang Award for Outstanding Achievement in science and was also selected by Cowra Rotary to attend the National Youth Science Forum at ANU Canberra.
The Canowindra Creative Centre was awarded Community Group of the Year. The focus of the group is “for the community, by the community”, making what the people want and how to benefit everyone. The Group aims to battle against mental health issues by providing a venue and activities, bringing people out of their homes without expectations, sharing and participating as much as they wish.
In other Cabonne Villages congratulations must go to:
Cargo: Citizen of the Year – Rodney Wilson; Community Group of the Year – Cargo Village Markets.
Cudal: Citizen of the Year – David Farrell; Young Citizen of the Year – Marlee Nixon; Community Group of the Year – Cabonne Food Wine and Cultural Centre.
Eugowra: Citizen of the Year – Catherine Eppelstun; Young Citizen of the Year – Katie Townsend; Community Group of the Year – Eugowra Show Society.