2021 Australia Day Awards Snowy Valleys Region

Published on 26 January 2021

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The 2021 Snowy Valleys Region Australia Day Awards celebrates the outstanding local achievers who have contributed to the Snowy Valleys community in an exceptional way.

“We are fortunate to have so many individuals and groups who make an outstanding contribution to our community every day, and on behalf of Council and the wider Snowy Valleys community, I want to congratulate all our Australia Day award winners and finalists,” said Mayor James Hayes.

The Snowy Valleys Region Australia Day Committee received nominations from across the region. The following individuals, organisations and teams were recipients of this year’s Snowy Valleys Region Australia Day awards:

SNOWY VALLEYS REGION CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – JOHN CRUISE

John has been involved with the Camp Hudson Recreational Camp for nearly 40 years and has been a member of the executive Camp Hudson 355 committee for 10 years. John is a life member of the Tumut Golf Club, having been a volunteer for over 20 years. He has also served on the executive committee for nearly 10 years and as the president for six years. John completed his National Service Military Obligations during the Vietnam War period. For his service he was awarded the Australian Defence Medal and the National Service Commemorative Medal. He joined the Tumut RSL Sub-Branch in 2017 and was elected to the committee of the Sub-Branch in 2020. For the last 8 years, John has volunteered his services to assist the Tumut Rugby League Old Boys and Supporters Club in many ways including working on the gate and in the bar to ensure the committee can continue to function and support rugby league in Tumut.

Citizen Achievement Awards were awarded to:

  • Adrian Cass
  • Christine Male
  • Dave Crooks
  • Dr Tarek Sari
  • Emma Toohey
  • Kerry Kelly

SNOWY VALLEYS REGION YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR - AARON TUILAU, EDWARD SMITH AND ARTHUR SMITH

 These boys have been nominated due to their brave act in saving a drowning man at the Tumbarumba Swimming Pool in December 2019. The incident occurred during a fun day. Aaron found the person at the bottom of the pool before alerting Edward. They swam down to the person and noticed he was unresponsive before coming to the surface of the water and calling out to the pool manager. They then swam back down to the floor of the pool and took things into their own hands, with one boy holding onto the person’s head and the other onto their legs. Their actions got the attention of Arthur, who dived into the pool and helped Aaron and Edward bring the person to the surface. The three boys displayed smart instincts and quick thinking and were able to save the person.

Young Citizen Achievement Awards were awarded to:

  • Indiana Everingham

 

SNOWY VALLEYS REGION SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY - DR TAREK SARI

 Dr Tarek Sari founded the Tumut Cycle Classic. The event raised just under $5000 in 2015 for the Tumut District Hospital, $20,000 in 2017 and $40,000 in 2018 and 2019. This money has allowed the hospital to invest in many things, including an oxygen saturation machine, mobility beds, an endoscopy machine and bariatric beds. Following the bushfires, Dr Tarek worked alongside AusRelief organise a convoy of goods to bring to the locals who had lost part or all their homes. Dr Tarek and Dr Osman Darwiche raised $20,000 in the cancelled 2020 Tumut Cycle Classic which went to the hospital and he also handed a $10,000 cheque to the Tumut RFS from the donated registration money. Dr Tarek’s dedication and forward-thinking approach to bring quality medical services to the local Tumut District Hospital and for opening up avenues for the local town to benefit from the added tourism that the Tumut Cycle Classic generates is to be commended.

Service to the Community Achievement Awards were awarded to:

  • Aaron Tuilau, Edward Smith, and Arthur Smith
  • Adrian Cass
  • Christine Male
  • Emma Toohey
  • Geoff Molineaux
  • Kerry Kelly
  • Khancoban Emergency Services & Community Members
  • Malcolm Baker
  • Megan Schumer
  • Nigel Grant Contracting
  • Rudy Kopecny
  • Sounds of the Mountains
  • Steve Matthews
  • Talbingo Community
  • Ted Clarke

SNOWY VALLEYS REGION SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR – JACOB AMBROSE

Jacob is a dedicated Tumut swimmer who has represented country titles and senior state titles in the past 12 months. He trains 12 months of the year and travels to Wagga in the winter months. He trains 10 sessions a week and clocks up around 30km in the pool a week.His progress is remarkable, gaining huge PBs in his swims at state, now working towards national times. He helps with little swimmers in the Tumut Swim Club at training under the guidance of Max Hargreaves and is a great role model for these up-and-coming sportsmen.

 

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