About 700 people attended Cessnock City’s Australia Day celebrations at East Cessnock Bowling Club last Tuesday where Abermain couple Warren and Catherine Parsons were named Citizens of the Year.
Mr. and Mrs. Parsons were recognised for lifetime of dedication, commitment and outstanding contribution to the community involving numerous organisations within the Cessnock local government area.
Among the organisations they have been involved with, together or as individuals, include the Abermain Eisteddfod, CHR-FM, Abermain/Neath Tidy Towns, Abermain Heritage Preservation Society and volunteering at the Sydney Olympics and Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Mr. Parsons said the award was overwhelming, an “unbelievable honour”.
The theme for the day was Australian Culture and History, and the program featured an array of talented local artists, who entertained the crowd with song, dance and bush poetry.
Cessnock City’s Australia Day Ambassador, media personality Donnie Sutherland AM, gave an entertaining and inspiring speech on what being Australian means to him.
“I wake up each morning and thank God I’m alive, then thank God I’m alive in Australia,” he said.
Eight new citizens were naturalised at the ceremony, heralding from countries which include Pakistan, United Kingdom, South Korea, South Africa, the Philippines and England and were warmly welcomed to Cessnock City.
“Cessnock is a great place to live and we want to celebrate where we have come from and what has made us who we are today," Mayor of Cessnock, Cr. Alison Davey said.
“It is also our nation’s biggest celebration; a day for all Australians to take pride in our citizenship and reflect on the meaning and importance of being Australian.”
Australia Day Awards were presented to a number of dedicated, inspirational local people, including Citizens of the Year Mr. and Mrs. Parsons.
Hayden Yates of Kurri was named Young Citizen of the Year for his outstanding commitment to raising awareness and funds for research into Juvenile Diabetes.
Hayden, who was captain of Pelaw Main Public School last year, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes about two years ago, and has since raised more than $3000 for the cause.
The Community Event of the Year was awarded to the Branxton Golf Club Pro-Am. One of the largest tournaments outside of the metropolitan area, the Branxton Pro-Am has attracted national and international visitors and has raised more than $300,000 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter over the past 17 years.
Sports Awards were presented to Ellena Morris of Cessnock, for her involvement with Special Olympics and swimming, and Jessica Willard of Quorrobolong for her achievements in dressage.
Max Elliott received the Environment Award for his efforts in preserving unique and threatened flora in the Cessnock local government area, and the Heritage Award was presented to the Sir Edgeworth David Museum and Coalfield Heritage Group.
Achievement Awards went to Robyn Gill (Greening Lovedale), Gregory Moore (Kurri Little Athletics and Soccer, among others), Kylie Gray (Cessnock Girl Guides), Diane Nemeth (Cessnock RSL Sub-branch) and Patricia Black (charity and community work including Westpac Rescue Helicopter Support Group).
Appreciation Awards were received by Brian McGuigan (dedication and commitment to the wine industry and the local community), Ronald Jackson (assistance to the Cessnock RSL Sub-branch), Colin Andrews (tennis in Cessnock and Kurri), Marie Swan (many organisations including hockey, Air League and Rescue Squad), Neil Thomas (advocate for the Branxton/Greta community) and Melita Watson (Branxton community including golf club and Tidy Towns).
Anne Whale, who shared musical direction duties for the event with Rachel Main, received the Marthaville Arts and Cultural Award.
The winners and entrants of the Cessnock BPW’s colouring-in and window dressing competitions received congratulations for their efforts.
Special presentations were also made to the Bailey David Ashton, the first baby born to a Cessnock City family this year, and one of our eldest citizens, Leah Price, who turned 100 on October 11.
For their generous assistance Council would like to thank Harrigan's Irish Pub and Accommodation, the major sponsor for the event, and extends thanks to contributing sponsors Cessnock Achievement Centre, Cessnock Business and Professional Women’s Club, East Cessnock Bowling Club, KFC Cessnock, McDonalds Cessnock, Priceline Pharmacy Cessnock and Kurri Kurri, Woolworths Limited, Cessnock Ex-Services Club, Lifeguard Cessnock Pty Ltd and Hydro Aluminium Kurri Pty Ltd.
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