1. Home

Council honours and celebrates leading citizens in local Australia Day ceremonies in Guyra

Long-standing and leading citizens have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day ceremonies in Guyra with Beth White honoured as Citizen of the Year for 2023 at the annual awards dinner on Wednesday 25 January.

Beth White is a stand-out member of the local community through her extensive volunteer work and significant contribution to the Guyra and Ben Lomond communities.

Beth has spent decades volunteering in leading roles, including Chairperson of Ben Lomond Landcare Group, Board member of Rural Lands Protection Board, Member of Ben Lomond War Memorial Trust, Editor of Altitude Living, P&C Member Ben Lomond Public School, Volunteer of ADRA Op Shop Guyra, Volunteer at Guyra History Museum, Secretary of R.E.D.D New England and an active community member of the Presbyterian Church.

Armidale Regional Council Mayor Sam Coupland said Beth is incredibly deserving of Citizen of the Year award.

“We want to honour, celebrate and cheer on these amazing people who have been nominated by their community and who have been on a long journey to help their communities. Those people who have set out to make this world a better place through their generosity, expertise, sheer grit and tenacious spirit. 

“As a Council we cheer on these citizens, celebrating their efforts and success, honouring them in public at Australia Day,” said Mayor Coupland.

Mayor Sam Coupland was joined in Guyra by this year’s Australia Day Ambassador, Jarrod Wheatley, to present the awards. Mr Wheatley was the Young Australian of the Year in 2019, in recognition of his work with youth, refugees and young people in out-of-home care. Jarrod has created two innovatiive not-for-profit organisations, Street art Murals Australia (SAMA) and Professional Individualised Care (PIC).

The Honourable Member for Northern Tablelands, Adam Marshall also presented to and congratulated award winners, along with Deputy Mayor of Armidale Regional Council (ARC), Cr Todd Redwood and General Manager of ARC, Mr James Roncon. The evening was followed by a breakfast in Ben Lomond at the Community Hall and a flag-raising ceremony in Guyra on Australia day with a morning tea afterwards at the Guyra Historical Museum.  

GUYRA AWARD WINNERS:

Citizen of the Year: Beth White

Citizen of the Year (Runner Up): Gwyneth Pearson Gwyn has been a key member of the Guyra Show Society and the Guyra community for many years through involvement at Bald Blair School, Guyra Central School and the school P&C association. Gwyn has helped with junior and senior cricket, rural fire services and the Lamb and Potato Festival for a number of years by assisting with fund raising, canteen, cooking and in many other areas.

Community Services Award: Tony and Liz Looker– Tony and Liz Looker have supported the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service by raising funds and participating in the Drovers Run 4WD Outback Adventure fundraisers. In 2022 the Run raised $225,000 and Tony and Liz were the highest fundraisers with the amount that they raised being $40,400.72. This amount was raised by donated lamb, auctions and raffles. Tony and Liz personally fund the Run in order for all donations to go directly to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

Community Services Award (Runner Up):– Leanne Mayled - Leanne has raised over $28,000 for the Westpac helicopter for the Guyra community and is involved with the Ride for the Chopper Bike event. Leanne also raised money for Guyra Cycling from the Guyra community for the annual Tour De Rocks cancer fundraiser event raising over $10,000. The nominee said, “Leanne’s energy and commitment are incredible”.

Young citizen of the Year Award: Michael Looker– Michael, aged 17 years, has served the community well as School Captain at Guyra Central School and supporting P&C fund raising activities. He has been involved with the Guyra Show Society for many years, by volunteering as Assistant Steward in the Fruit and Vegetable stand and exhibiting with success. Michael is an excellent role model inside and outside of the school and a privilege to know and have assist the Guyra Show Society.

Art and Culture Award (Joint Winners): St Mary’s of the Angels School and James Warren–

St Mary of the Angels School hosted their Creative Arts Performance evening in November 2022 and the evening was enjoyed by the wider community at the Bill Wicks Memorial Gymnasium. It was an outstanding example of creative arts in the Guyra community, showcasing the emerging talents of their students through performances of song, dance and poetry recitals. Kindergarten stole the show by performing their song in both spoken word and Auslan. The Year 5/6 class composed, produced and performed their play.

James Warren moved to Guyra a few years ago. He has embraced all it is to be “Guyra”. His efforts to engage with the community through his poetry, events and the Craft and Farmers Market. He is an active member in a number of committee’s and organisations including but not limited to: Guyra Chamber of Commerce, Guyra & Communities Progress Association and Guyra Neighbourhood Centre.

Community Event of the Year: Rural Women’s Gathering– The Rural Women’s Gathering was held at the Ben Lomond Hall on the 14 October 2022 and brought women together from the local community and also across the state. It was an opportunity to hear from inspiring women on rural issues impacting women and was a well-planned and well attended event. The speakers included the Hon. Bronnie Taylor, Minister for Regional Health and Mental Health, Gail Commens, the South Pacific Area President of the Associated Country Women of the World and Ellie Mitchell who is a Guyra Central High School student and recipient of the Guyra C.W.A Evening Branch’s scholarship.

Latest stories

News

March Meeting Wrap-Up
If you missed the latest Council meeting, we have given you a wrap-up of the main points discussed.
Keys to the City awarded to former mayor and architect Tony Deakin
Mr Antony ‘Tony’ Deakin OAM, former mayor and architect, has been granted the Keys to the City by Armidale Regional Council, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the community.
Council’s solar smart bins save space and time
Solar smart bins which use a new wave of ‘smart technology’ to compact rubbish and send a message by Wi-Fi when full, will soon be placed in key locations around the city.
Modern update for Armidale Folk Museum with $247,000 Grant
ARMIDALE’S Folk Museum will undergo a $247,060 refurbishment to improve accessibility and create more office space thanks to a State Government grant, Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall announced at the museum last week.
High tech lids to maximise space at Regional Landfill
Armidale Regional Council has taken delivery of new landfill lids this week which will create efficiencies through the use of contemporary technology to maximise the amount of air space at the Armidale Regional Landfill site (on Waterfall Way) by at least ten per cent.
Council Meeting Wrap-Up for February
If you missed the recent Council meeting, we have provided a summary of the main points of interest and discussion.
Parade and festival favourites return to the Armidale Autumn Festival
The street parade we all love is returning to the Armidale Autumn Festival on Saturday 1 April along with festival favourites and the Breakfast with the Band.
Revised strategic documents to be included in SRV application adopted by Council
At an Extraordinary Council Meeting on Monday 30 January, Armidale Regional Council (ARC) adopted the revised suite of documents which form part of the application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of NSW (IPART) for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) of around 50% over three years, which would take effect from 2023-24.
Armidale’s local Australia Day awards honour model citizens
Long-standing community entrepreneurs, leaders and volunteers have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day ceremonies in Armidale with Martin Levins honoured as Citizen of the Year for 2023.
Social entrepreneur is Oz Day Ambassador
As founder of two innovative, not-for-profit organisations, Jarrod Wheatley is creating positive change and is the Armidale region’s Australia Day Ambassador for 2023.