I attended the 2018 Myall Lakes Community Awards at Club Taree on Saturday, November 3, along with a capacity crowd of recipients, family and friends. After a Welcome to Country by Reverend Helen Quinn, and a welcome by Stephen Bromhead MP, The Hon Sarah Mitchell MP addressed the crowd. 

Four local RSL members – Frank Brady Forster; Dennis Lawrence and Harry Fisher Taree, and Ron Irwin Wingham, who received RSL Ministerial Commendations. Colin Butcher received a Justice of the Peace 50-year Service Award. The Hidden Treasurers Honour Roll recipient was Megan Nicholson, and Hannah Chicken received the NSW State Representative Award. Congratulations to all who were nominated and were finalists in the seven categories in the Community Awards.

A very humble Helen Bennett of Tinonee, was named the 2018 Citizen of the Year. She was supported by family members, friends from the Tinonee Historical Society and the Tinonee Memorial School of Arts Hall committee. She received her award from Sarah Mitchell Minister for Early Childhood Education, Aboriginal Affairs and Assistant Minister for Education; and Stephen Bromhead, Member for Myall Lakes. Another well known Tinonee local and active volunteer with the Tinonee Rural Fire Service, Laurie Murphy, was a finalist in the Senior Person of the Year. Laurie had a very supportive group of fellow RFS members present. It was great to see both honoured for their many years of dedication to the community. The awards included, Cultural, Junior Sports, Sports, Community Group, Young, and Senior persons, and Citizen of the Year. Their resumes were all outstanding and it must have been a very difficult decision for the judges as they were all deserving of the honour.

Melbourne Cup Lunch

It was a busy day for Tinonee Red Cross members at their annual Melbourne Cup luncheon at the Tinonee Hall yesterday. I hope to have a full report in next week’s column and maybe a photo or two of the ladies and gents in their finery.

Operation Christmas Child

A morning tea fundraiser for OCC will be at St Matthew’s Fellowship on Thursday, November 8, at 10am, for a gold coin donation. There will be a raffle, lucky door prize, handmade cards, and Dinky Di Christmas decorations for sale. Contact Frances 6552 2985 for more details.

Remembrance Day

Don’t forget the Remembrance Day Service this Sunday, November 11, at 10.45am, at the Wingham Town Hall. All are welcome to attend this centenary service.