Date: Wednesday 26 January, 2022
2022 Australia Day Award winners named
The 2022 Central Goldfields Shire Australia Day Award winners were officially announced at a community event at Station Domain in Maryborough this morning.
Australia Day Awards were presented in three categories – Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Award.
The recipients are:
Citizen of the Year – Brian O’Connor
A resident of Maryborough for 59 years, Brian O’Connor’s contribution to the Central Goldfields Shire is immeasurable. He has embraced our community and demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the local community as a volunteer, particularly as Councillor for Central Goldfields Shire (12 years), on the Board of Havilah Aged Persons Hostel (21 years) and on the Board of Highview College. He was also a member of the Maryborough Jaycees for 15 years.
Brian is passionate about the Central Goldfields and his involvement in a range of community boards and groups has contributed to raising the profile of Maryborough – specifically through his contribution to the Energy Breakthrough and the Highland Society New Year’s Day Athletics.
Brian was the first elected Mayor of the Central Goldfields where he served for three terms and received the Mayor Emeritus award from the Municipal Association of Victoria.
His contribution also extends to the Tennis Club, St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Maryborough Senior Citizens and the Maryborough Photography Club.
The Central Goldfields Shire has benefited from the contribution Bill has made to our community over the past 59 years – congratulations and thank you.
Young Citizen of the Year – Jackson Barby
Jackson Barby is an inspiring community leader who has gone above and beyond for local sport. He has breathed new life into the Maryborough Soccer Club through his role on the Committee for the past 10 years. He has played a key role in revitalising and transforming the Club – specifically he has been instrumental in the introduction of a new local sport – futsal.
Local community groups have benefitted from Jackson’s fundraising work, allowing them to achieve their projects or to give back to the local community. He has also contributed to one of Maryborough’s biggest events – the Energy Breakthrough.
Most recently he also made a valuable contribution to Council’s Shaping Central Goldfields Community Advisory Group – which has helped shape a number of key documents for Council.
It speaks volumes of Jackson’s character and passion that his valuable community contributions cover much more than just one area. Jackson inspires all around him to do better and to dig deep for the benefit of the community. Maryborough is very lucky to have Jackson – without him, local soccer would not be at the level it is now, futsal would not exist locally and so many community groups would have gone without.
Community Award – The Supreme 1000 Lap Challenge
When riding around the Energy Breakthrough track, Atrel Turner had the idea to introduce a community event – and so “The Supreme 1000 Lap Challenge” event was born.
Atrel gathered a group of cyclists, and, with support from The Maryborough District Advertiser, soon there were 30 cyclists who had registered. The Challenge has inspired many people to participate – regular cyclists have been joined by new cyclists, and others who have not ridden for years. Participants have developed their fitness and social connections. Healthy habits have developed among the participants and will continue to do so. Congratulations to everyone involved in this wonderful community initiative.
