Susanna Freymark
Here are the Australia Day Citizens of the Year in our region.
Bonalbo
John Johnston for his volunteer work as president of Tunglebung Hall for the past 30 years.
Kyogle
Dale Oxtoby is Kyogle Citizen of the Year
Urbenville
Val Flint was awarded Citizen of the Year
Woodenbong
Wendy Fletcher has lived in the Woodenbong area all her life.
Here are some of the community organisations Wendy has been involved with:
● Woodenbong Rodeo and Campdraft Committee
● Bike weekends – preparing meals, serving, and cleaning up.
● RSL Women’s Auxiliary Committee
● Australia Day – Billy tea and damper assisting RSL Committee.
● CWA
● Woodenbong Show
● Parent volunteer for the Woodenbong Central School Led Steer competitions both in Woodenbong show, Royal Brisbane Show and local sounding shows such as Casino and Lismore
● Volunteered at the Woodenbong Swimming Club for 10 years.
● TSKF Karate instructor
● Woodenbong Pony Club instructor for 4 years.
● SSAA Shooting Committee member and treasurer for six years
● Treasurer on the local branch of the P&C till last year.
Richmond Valley
Neil Burnett, fire captain from Rappville.
Neil joined the Rappville RFS in 1980.
As well as his RFS duties, Neil is on many community committees including the Rappville Community Hall committee and the Rappville Sports Committee, where he oversees the upkeep of the original hall and its grounds.
Neil was involved in disaster recovery as a member of the Rappville Advisory Group. His efforts have been instrumental in the rebuilding of the Rappville community after the devastating 2019 bushfires and 2022 floods.
Roz Knights from Kyogle was awarded an OAM on Australia Day. Read about it here.