The annual awards celebrate and acknowledge outstanding community, sporting and cultural contributions and achievements made at a local level by Parkes Shire residents.

Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM congratulated each of the nominees and the recipients for their invaluable contributions to our community.

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Pat Bailey

Pat is an integral member of CanAssist, having volunteered at charity for over two  decades.

During this time she has held several key roles in the branch executive including Secretary, Welfare Officer and Raffle Coordinator, amounting to countless hours of volunteer work.

Pat volunteers at the Parkes Hospital every Tuesday and Thursday offering support to chemotherapy patients during their treatment.

In addition to her work at CanAssist, Pat has actively worked to improve access to health services for local cancer patients, part of the group in 2014 who lobbied for chemotherapy to be available in the region, and was responsible for helping to expand the operating hours of the Parkes Chemotherapy Unit from one day to two.

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Emeline Lavaka

In 2017, Emeline led a group led the Parkes High School student representative Council to host an “Are you OK day”.

In 2018, Emeline was awarded School Captain of Parkes high School, where she demonstrated a commitment to diversity by introducing Harmony Day to the school.

Emeline also led an anti-bullying day at school, and actively conceptualised, initiated and organised a Captains Colour For Cancer to raise in excess of $2,000 for Canteen – an organisation that assists young people or the families of young people with cancer.

Emeline was invited to attend the NSW Parliament House in 2018 to attend the Parkes International Women’s Day Forum.

Outside of school, Emeline volunteered her time during the Parkes Elvis Festival and the Inland Rail Conference in 2018.

Emeline volunteered to gain her qualifications as a Learn to Swim Instructor at Parkes Aquatic Centre, where she works as a Lifeguard.

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Aneke (Anna) Kusumawati

In search for a new career, Anna enrolled in Certificate III Business Administration at TAFE.

Since enrolling, Anna has been an outstanding student, achieving excellent results in all study areas, whilst continuing to work in hospitality.

She is highly valued by teachers and fellow students alike, for her kindness, commitment and work ethic.  

It is due to these qualities, Anna has secured full-time employment in the Business Administration field at the conclusion of her course.

Parkes East Public School - Mini Relay for Life

Parkes East Public School held a Mini Relay for Life on 24 October 2018, as a prelude to the Parkes Relay for Life, allowing the school community to join in the fun of the event and raise awareness of and funds for the Cancer Council.

Activities included students and teachers dressing up in Purple, Yellow and White (Cancer Council colours); students designing and wearing their whackiest hats, gaining sponsors for the walking component; a visit by Cancer Council staff and the Cancer Council bear; fruit salad and ice cream sold to raise additional funds and a major raffle.

Parkes East students completed 22 laps in 30 minutes.

A combined effort by teachers, families, SRC and students to raise $3,550 for the Cancer Council!

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Dianne Kirkland

A Wires volunteers for many years, holding the position of Macropod Co-ordinator for Wires Western Region, Di tirelessly provides her time and often spends her own caring for endangered, threatened and native species around Parkes.

Di is well equipped with a humidicrib and a special yard set up for rehabilitation, pre-release and then soft release of young native fauna.

It's not uncommon for Di to be called upon 24/7 and can be found bottle feeding more than 10 wallabies, kangaroos, wollaroos, possums and all types of birds at any given time.

Her contribution to the environment has seen her save the the Swamp Wallaby population behind Gold Rush Road area.

Her selfless endeavours are ensuring the Australian Native Animals that call the Parkes area their native habitat, are still here for the next generation.

Elsie Mahon

For a number of years, Elsie has practiced a broad range of art and craft, from needlework to painting, to mosaic, sculpture and pottery.

Elsie is a member in many art groups including Parkes Potters, Parkes Garden Club, and Parkes Painting Group.

Elsie's passion for art extends beyond her personal skills as she nurtures the practice of art by teaching workshops for residents at Southern Cross Village and judging the art and craft sections at the annual Shire Shows.

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Anabelle van Wyk

Anabelle is a Year 5 student at the Parkes Christian School.

She has been actively involved in performing arts opportunities available to children in the community.

During the Parkes Elvis Festival she performed in front of shop windows, on stage in Clarinda street and on the main stage - named winner of the 2018 Junior Elvis busking competition as well as Junior Miss Priscilla look-a-like.

As an avid performer, Anabelle was cast as 'Mrs Beaver' in her school's production of Narnia, as well as     performed in the M&D's production of Goosebumps.

Anabelle was awarded best local performer in the regional final of the Australian National Busking     Championships in Peak Hill and received runner-up in the primary division of the National Busking Championship in Cooma in November.

Anabelle also participated in the Forbes and Cowra Eisteddfods and came away with a first, third and highly commended.

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Parkes School of Dance Inc.

This year marks the Parkes School of Dance's (PSD) sixth year of instilling the passion of dance in local and regional students and teachers.

PSD has grown to boast three studios, with classes held five days a week during term and extra school holiday classes.

Students range from three to thirty years of age and beyond.

The repertoire extends from Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) ballet Grades and Vocationals including pointe, Dance to Your Own Tune for preschoolers, Adult Dance and Fitness, Glenn Wood Tap, contemporary, hip hop, jazz and solos.

The school has introduced a program called Dance Step, a student teacher education program that strives to empower our young students and provide a holistic approach through opportunities that benefit the whole person.

PSD is passionate about supporting the community and can often be found performing at community events.

One of this year’s highlight would be the performance of soloists and pre-schoolers at the Southern Cross Fete.

John van der Reyden

John was a highly regarded teacher at Peak hill Central School, and since retiring has involved himself in many volunteer roles and community, including as a tour guide for the Peak Hill Open Cut Experience, volunteering at the Peak Hill Information Centre, an unofficial rubbish collector, announcer at the Peak Hill Show, and a reporter at the Peak Hill and District Times.

However, the highlight of his community service is John's extensive documentation of local history and     photography collection.

This collection is invaluable to the preservation of the region's history and development of the town.

Cecil Titheradge

For the past 83 years, Cecil Titheradge has been the resident Barber of Peak Hill, never missing a day behind his chair except for the short term interludes of World War II and the special family holidays to Goulbourn to visit his son.

Cecil's family  moved from Yeoval to Peak Hill in 1926 in the midst of the depression.

He was taught his trade of barbering by his father Len or "Pop" and started work at just 14 years of age in 1934.

Cecil is finally calling it a day at 97 years young.

Robert Osborne

Inaugural Peak Hill v Tomingley Cricket Challenge

Organisers Mark Sharah and Brad Pugh have succeeded in re-establishing cricket in  the Peak Hill and Tomingley districts, organising the first challenge match at Lindner Oval in November 2018.

Players from Peak Hill and neighbouring townships came  together for an afternoon of entertainment, mateship and sportsmanship.

Bayn Schnitger

Brandon Hamilton

James Robinson

Trundle Australia Day Awards are as follows:

May Collier

Bogan Gate Australia Day Awards are as follows:

Daiine Gavin

Xavier McDonald