Tamworth’s 2024 Citizen of the Year is no stranger to volunteering and lending a hand, in fact it’s hard to find an organisation he has not been involved in.
Keith Stevenson was given the honour at the Tamworth Australia Day community awards today, recognising for his ongoing contributions to the Tamworth community.
Mr Stevenson has been a Legatee since 1996, and an active member of the Tamworth Legacy branch since that time including selling badges and even coordinating the Centenary of Legacy Concert in 2023. He served his country as a National Serviceman in 1952 and was heavily involved with the National Service Association’s Oxley Sub-Branch.
Moving to Tamworth in 1967 with his late-wife Cathy, Mr Stevenson has been involved in Tamworth Rotary, West Tamworth Public School P&C, the Tamworth and District Sports Advisory Council, Northern Inland Academy of Sports, Tamworth City Bowling Club, Tamworth Cycling Club, Tamworth Cricket Association, Probus, Tamworth Town and Country Club, and volunteered at Calala Cottage with the Tamworth Historical Society.
Mr Stevenson was presented the award at the Tamworth Australia Day awards and citizenship ceremony at Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall by Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb on Sunday morning.
It was one of a number of events across the Tamworth region which will take place on January 26, and Cr Webb sent his congratulations to the winners and nominees for all of the awards thanked them for their contributions to the community.
“It is always such a heartwarming day to recognise those who have made, and continue to make, a significant contribution to our wonderful region. I thank all of our nominees for the awards in Tamworth, Manilla, Barraba and Nundle for their role in making our community the wonderful place it is.”
Harry Burkett was awarded Tamworth’s 2024 Young Citizen of the Year, recognised for his work with the Tamworth Show Society, Tamworth Salvation Army, and general willingness to always help.
Harry regularly helps the elderly with handy man jobs including mowing, cutting firewood and moving furniture just to name a few.
The Mitchell Brady Encouragement Award was presented to Oxley High School Year 10 student Ruby Woods.
Ruby is an avid public speaker, and in 2024 was the state runner up in the NSW Legislative Council Public Speaking competition held at Parliament House in Sydney. Passionate about the arts, Ruby is an elected member of Oxley High’s Creative and Performing Arts student council and a board member for the Australian Theatre for Young People where she was selected to represent regional youth and advocate for opportunities in regional areas.
At the Manilla awards, Neville Faulkner was given the honour of 2024 Manilla Citizen of the Year.
Mr Faulkner is a founder and life member of the Manilla Volunteer Rescue Association, actively attending incidents as well as fundraising initiatives to help respond when the community needs it. He also a driver for Oxley Community Transport, and a wealth of knowledge at the Manilla Information Centre where he is more than happy to have a yarn with tourists.
Cooper Taylor was awarded the 2024 Manilla Young Citizen of the Year for his ongoing support with the Manilla Show Society. Cooper has volunteered with the Society since he was three years old, and is happy to help with any set up and pack down, working bees, and displays in the pavilion for the Manilla show, and was described as a “keen young man who always puts his hand up to help.”
The Manilla Renewable Energy Group were the recipients of the 2024 Manilla Community Event of the Year for their community weekend. The weekend consists of teaching people how they can make a difference to the environment through a variety of energy saving initiatives. The weekend includes the 100-mile dinner where produce is sourced from as close as possible to Manilla for a meal for 200 people, and the students at Manilla Central School do a majority of the work to bring this to life.
The Manilla Achievement Award was presented to the Manilla Community Choir, a small but passionate group of singers who serve the Manilla community in song. Founded in 2023, the ten members aged from 11 to 75 sing monthly at Manellae Nursing Home and have become a crowd favourite at community events.
Attending the celebrations in Manilla was Australia Day Ambassador Mel Thomas and Tamworth Region Councillors Stephen Mears and Charles Impey.
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