Four outstanding Wagga Wagga residents and a local Rotary group were honoured and recognised for their community contributions at the 2022 Australia Day Awards held at the Civic Theatre tonight.
The 2022 Citizen of the Year was awarded to Deidre Tome for her outstanding volunteer contribution to a number of local service organisations over many years.
Deidre's involvement in the community has included coordinating many successful fundraising events for the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest committee, Legacy Club of Wagga Wagga, Wagga Wagga Bidgee Dragons and her involvement in Rotary programs such as PolioPlus and the combined Wagga Rotary Clubs homelessness project.
Chloe Hinds was named 2022 Young Citizen of the Year for her work with various community events. Chloe is known for her fundraising efforts and as an emerging young leader in our community including the PCYC toy drive, the Forest Hill Fire Brigade and Kooringal High School's Year 12 versus staff trivia night.
The 2022 Walk of Honour inductee is Dick Green who is well known for his tireless work undertaking environmental projects as demonstrated during his time working for Greening Australia along with his volunteering commitments with local community organisations such as Wagga Urban Landcare and Erin Earth.
The 2022 Environmental Citizen of the Year was this year awarded to the Rotary Club of South Wagga Wagga, the first time a community organisation group has achieved the title.
The group's recent project work to rejuvenate the Rocky Hill Reserve was recognised with the club being named the third winner of the award which was introduced in 2020.
Brian Robinson has been recognised for his many years' contribution to local sport, being named the recipient of the Ted Ryder Memorial Sports Award. Brian has been involved in cricket and Australian Football as both a player and umpire for nearly five decades.
The award winners and their bios are detailed below.
2022 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
For outstanding service to the community
Deidre Tome:
Deidre has energetically participated in, and contributed to, the Wagga Wagga community for many years. She has worked conscientiously to support, publicise and coordinate many successful fundraising events for the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest committee, Legacy Club of Wagga Wagga, Wagga Wagga Bidgee Dragons, Rotary programs such as PolioPlus and the combined Wagga Rotary Clubs homelessness project.
2022 YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
27 years and younger, for outstanding service to the community
Chloe Hinds:
Chloe has been nominated for her devotion to many fundraisers in our community including the PCYC toy drive, the Forest Hill Fire Brigade and Kooringal High School's Year 12 versus staff trivia night. Chloe is a fantastic role model for young people in Wagga Wagga as she strives to balance her personal, school and work life all whilst devoting her time volunteering for our community.
2022 ENVIRONMENTAL CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Recognises individuals and organisations for championing litter reduction and environmental initiatives.
Rotary Club of South Wagga Wagga:
The South Wagga Wagga Rotary Club Sub-Group has worked tirelessly over the past 18 months to restore the Rocky Hill Reserve. The project group has engaged with residents and a large segment of the Wagga Wagga community to remove rubbish, manage weeds and plant over 750 native plants. The direct impact on our community from the on-ground works undertaken by this group is outstanding.
2022 TED RYDER MEMORIAL SPORTS AWARD
For contributions to sporting organisations through administration and general service.
Brian Robinson:
Brian has been an integral part of the South Wagga Blues Cricket Club for nearly five decades. From the age of 16 he has contributed to both the cricket and AFL communities in Wagga Wagga holding key roles and responsibilities.
His work as an AFL umpire has included 436 matches to date, including several grand finals in both the Farrer and Riverina leagues. He has also volunteered as the coach to school teams throughout the years.
2022 WALK OF HONOUR AWARD
For substantial contributors (past or present) to the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area. Nominees can be of any age, living or deceased and must have resided in Wagga Wagga Local Government Area for a period of at least five years.
Dick Green:
Dick is an environmental sustainability champion, as demonstrated during his time working for Greening Australia along with his volunteering commitments with local community organisations such as Wagga Urban Landcare and Erin Earth.
He also worked with local Wiradjuri Elders and community members to compile the 2002 Wiradjuri Heritage Study for Wagga Wagga.
Dick's volunteering and enthusiasm has inspired many and he is always eager to share his expertise and knowledge with the next generation of environmentally-conscious residents seeking to learn new skills, knowledge and approaches to contribute towards an environmentally sustainable future for all residents, along with the flora and fauna, who call Wagga Wagga their home.
