Congratulations to all the recipients of the 2017 Wingham Australia Day Awards.
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Citizen of the Year- Jillian Oliver
Jillian Oliver has received the Citizen of the Year award for her lifetime of service to the community.
As an active participant in the Girl Guides movement, Jillian has previously received the Baden Powell, Queens Guide and Boronia awards for her role as a Guide leader.
She has been involved with the SES both in Sydney and the Manning Valley since 1995 and has attended several incidents such as the Thredbo landslide in 1997.
During a 15 year career as a police officer, Jillian received the Police Medal for diligent and meritorious duty.
While carrying out duties in 2010, a serious accident left her right arm injured.
A medical condition developed which eventually led to amputation.
Through determination, she reshaped her life while continuing work with Wingham Brush P and C, Wingham Scouts and Australian soldiers based overseas.
Wingham Rotary Club president Peter Fotheringham summed up the privilege of awarding Jillian Citizen of the Year.
“Her life achievements are an inspiration to us all and we wish her every success in her future activities.”
Pride of Workmanship Award- Wingham Services Club Pipes and Drums Band
The Pipe Band was formed in 1976 by Barry Ryan with the backing of the Wingham Services Club.
They have performed at local functions such as The Aquatic Festival, the Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival, Australia Day ceremonies and events in Port Macquarie.
The band has also performed in Pipe Band competitions in Australia and overseas including the Australian Championships in Sydney and the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.
"We are very proud of the Wingham district, we are very proud of our pipe band and we are very proud of our Scottish heritage."
"We thank you all for your support," Pipe Major John Andrews said after accepting the award.
Sportsperson of the Year- Vicki Farrow
Vicki is a long time resident of Wingham and has been involved with several sports as well as serving at Wingham Pool as an attendant and coach.
Over the years, Vicki’s eyesight has deteriorated where she is now legally blind.
Pursuing an interest in weightlifting, Vicki came second in the 2015 Queensland’s strongest woman under 62 kilograms competition as well as taking out the Singaporean championships open weight division in the same year.
She was also first in the Australian masters championship in November 2015.
2016 saw a second place in the Tamworth Country Music Festival strongman under 80 kilograms, a fourth place in the Arnold Schwarzenegger Strongman competition in the under 65 kilogram division and a third place in the NSW Strongest Championships.
Overseas, Vicki took out the World’s Strongest Disabled Woman open weight in August last year.
She has qualified for the Arnold Schwarzenegger Strongman competition in Columbus, Ohio in March, the World’s Strongest Adaptive Team Strongman Championship in Manchester, England and the World’s Strongest Disabled Woman Championship in London, England.
Youth of the Year- Jamie Hemmingway
During her five years at Wingham High School, Jamie has been a representative in hockey, touch football, cross country, athletics and swimming.
She has also been a representative for the Hunter Region in hockey, touch football and cross country.
2015 saw Jamie selected as part of the NSW All Schools Under 16’s hockey team for a carnival in Perth.
She was also selected in the NSW Combined High School hockey team for a competition in Sydney last year.
Furthermore, Jamie has represented Manning Valley in hockey, Taree in the Junior State Cup touch football competition and for NSW at the Hockey National Championships in the Under 18’s Blues Women’s team.
For her efforts, Jamie was chosen to join the 2017 Hockey Australia Futures Group.
She will gain training, tuition and support from the NSW Institute of Sport for this achievement.
Jamie starts Year 12 this year and hopes to attend university following school to study sports science, sports medicine or sports administration.
She remains a member of the Wingham Hockey Club, mentoring younger players in the sport.