2023 Parkes Shire Australia Day award recipients

Published on 31 January 2023

Congratulations to the 2023 Parkes Shire Australia Day Award recipients.

Citizen of the Year - Robert Strickland

Bob has been heavily involved in community groups since moving from Trundle to Parkes. He doesn’t just join a group and sit back; he throws himself into them enthusiastically and wholeheartedly. Bob has been involved in many community groups and clubs including Police Citizens Club, Parkes Centenary Committee, Care Flight, Southern Cross Village, Parkes Community Choir and most recently, the Parkes CanAssist Garage Sale, who raise much needed funds to support the people of Parkes Shire who have cancer. Bob has worked with CanAssist for over 10 years and even though he now faces his own challenges, he plans to continue working for CanAssist as long as possible.

Community Event/Group of the Year - CanAssist Parkes

The CanAssist Parkes branch is one of the largest in NSW with over 60 active volunteers giving their time and skills tirelessly to support our local community members dealing with a cancer diagnosis. The group runs both the Court Street shopfront and furniture sales at Parkes Showground, as well as engaging with local businesses and groups. The support provided to locals is not means tested and is strictly confidential. This support covers medical, pharmaceutical, travel accommodation and practical support to all that seek the help of CanAssist during their cancer journey. CanAssist is locals supporting locals.

Cultural Award – Performance - Gracey Denham-Jones

Gracey is only 20 years old and has written an original piece relating to the effects the floods have had on our local communities. Gracey recently performed with Smith & Hones at the Broadway Hotel to raise money for people affected for the recent floods. Gracey works two jobs - at Ray White Parkes and Parkes Dance Co - while pursuing her music career as well. Over a year ago she released her first single ‘Wait’, a response to living as an eighteen-year-old during covid. This song was a part of the “While the World Waits” compilation album commissioned by Arts Out West with funding from the NSW Government’s Arts Restart. It features 15 original tracks by artists from the NSW Central West in response to 2020. Gracey is a well-known performer in the local region and is very deserving of this recognition.

Cultural Award – Literary - Rex & Heather Veal

Rex and Heather Veal have been tireless and generous contributors to literary pursuits throughout the Parkes Shire. They have openly shared countless literary pieces with the Parkes Writing Group, Author-Rised, as well as offering kind and understanding feedback and guidance to other members. Most recently their hard work has culminated in the self-publication of the World War 2 Diaries of Les Lees from Bogan Gate, as well as recitation contributions to the 'Memories of Bogan Gate in Verse and Vision' video which was launched this year for Bogan Gate's anniversary. The shire is richer for the culture and history that their writing brings to life.

Cultural Award – Visual Arts - Parkes Community Arts

Parkes Community Arts put together a wonderful, inviting, accessible and vibrant event with their exhibition 'Best In Show', which showcased incredible artworks from a wide variety of local artists including professionals to those just beginning. Everyone was welcome and a great deal of work, care, volunteers, and community engagement went into this event which resulted in an amazing response with a very large number of artworks entered. This event brought great vibrancy and happiness to the Parkes Shire community and highlighted the great artistic potential of all and encouraged future growth in this sector.

Cultural Lifetime Achievement Award - Kerrie Peden

Kerrie Peden has had a long and illustrious career as a schoolteacher spending 30 years of it in Parkes, mostly at Parkes Public School. Her time and efforts in educating students has been appreciated by parents and other staff. She designed end of year concerts and plays which contributed to the school culture and expansion of the experiences of students. In recent years Kerrie has been instrumental in the establishment of the free Community Choir, which has been an important outlet for people suffering from the stress from the drought. Kerrie also works on projects with Ub Ubbo Exchange and is a Board member of that organisation. Recently Kerrie was the co-author of an article in the Australian Physics magazine, which discussed the eight Aboriginal ways of learning and the relationship between art, science and the land. She was the co-scriptwriter for the Documentary 'Wiradjuri Ngurambang' that now plays at the Parkes Library and Cultural Centre as part of the permanent 'Wiradjuri Ngurambang' exhibition.

Parkes Shire Sports Awards:

Sportsperson of the Year - Victoria Simpson (Wheelchair Basketball)

Junior Sportsperson of the Year - Henry Kross (Squash)

Team of the Year - Parkes High School CHS Wales Cup Hockey Team

Senior Sportsperson or Team - Denise Gersbach (Hockey)

Referee, Umpire or Official of the Year - Greg Phillips (Rugby League)

Coach, Trainer or Manager of the Year - Mitchell Stubberfield (AFL)

Long Service and Dedication Award - Ron Hetherington (AFL)

Administrator of the Year - Jay Kross (Squash)

Ron Harrison Sports Bursary - Khan Jackson (All Rounder), Harry Yelland (Cricket, Tennis, Hockey), Blake Price (Swimming)

Flag Raiser - Chloe Thomas Bogan Gate

Service to the Bogan Gate Community - Graham Davis and Ron Pierpoint

Trundle Citizen of the Year - Colin Wheeler

Trundle Sportspersons of the Year - Opens Trundle Central Cricket Team
 Paddy Williams, Harrison Budd, Blair McDonald, Zac Clayton, Jim Ramsay, Alice Bridger, Jessica Morgan, Chloe Budd, Zac Holloway, Seth Prebendarcik, Sam Charlton.

Service to the Tullamore Community - Janette McCosker