Australia Day Award Winners 2021

MEDIA RELEASE 26 January 2021

Bathurst’s Australia Day Awards have recognised the work and achievements of individuals and groups at the Awards Ceremony today at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre.

Mayor of Bathurst Cr Bobby Bourke said it was an honour to be able to thank this year’s award recipients for their hard work and dedication to the Bathurst community.

“Congratulations to all of our Australia Day Award recipients for 2021 and thank you for your hard work and contribution to the Bathurst community.”

“It’s wonderful to be able to recognise the achievements of those within our community on this day.”

The following awards were presented:

Recognition of the Youth Council 2019-2020

Being part of the Youth Council involves attending regular meetings, voicing ideas, developing, and working on projects, promoting the work of the Youth Council, and assisting with the running of Youth Council events. The 2019-2020 group were faced with challenges and restrictions enforced by COVID-19 and the majority of their events were cancelled. In light of this they were still able to use their creative skills and deliver new ways to engage the community.

2019-2020 members

• Angus Cooke
• Benjamin Davis
• Bethany Donaldson
• Bonnie-Skye Wright
• Grace Lynch
• Jack Lynch
• Jennessa Eggins
• Joshua Borland
• Maddison Sufong
• Natalia Burgess
• Nyoaki Pearce
• Travis Barrie
• Tristen West
• Zoe Peters

The Jo Ross Memorial Award - Greening Bathurst

This award is made to an individual, group or institution in recognition of their ongoing efforts to improve the local environment. Congratulations Tracey Sorensen for being the 2021 recipient of this award.

Australia Day Medallion

The Australia Day Achievement Medallion Program is a new award introduced in 2021. This program recognises members of the public whose hard work and contributions have shaped and benefited the Bathurst Community. The bushfires, drought and COVID-19 pandemic saw multiple changes in day to day practise and proved challenging on a number of levels. Individuals and groups receiving this award have gone above and beyond for their community.

This year’s award recipients are:

Bathurst Seymour Centre

• Bernadette Sinclair
• Darren Sturgiss
• David Sherley
• Donna Sollorz
• Eglinton Rural Fire Service
• Gwendoline Laird
• Jan Hudson
• NSW Ambulance (Bathurst Division)

A number of awards that are traditionally presented on Australia Day did not proceed due to COVID-19, these include:

• Youth Awards Award
• Event of the Year (Community and Destination)
• Bathurst Regional National Trust Heritage Award

The Citizen of the Year for 2020 Bob Cassidy and Young Citizen of the Year 2020 Natalia Burgess will also hold their title for another 12 months.