Junee’s community champions honoured in Australia Day ceremonies

JUNEE’s most inspiring achievers, advocates, and community champions were honoured at the town’s annual Australia Day ceremony on Sunday.

Sixteen outstanding individuals and community groups were nominated across five categories, highlighting a diverse range of contributions to the local community.

Local volunteer and scripture teacher Cheryl Carter was named Junee’s Citizen of the Year, while 17-year-old Thomas McDermott received the Young Citizen of the Year award.

Recognised for his involvement in local Anzac services, Landcare, Can Assist, and the Junee RSL Sub-Branch, the Junee High School student was the sole nominee in his category.

William McGrath claimed the Sports Award for his exceptional achievements in soccer, recently representing Australia on the world stage at the 2024 Pararoos World Cup in Spain.

The St Joseph’s Cross-Country Team was named Junee’s Team of the Year, while local dance teacher and So Dance Junee founder, Shannon Oke, received the Arts and Community Award.

The awards were presented at the Athenium Theatre by Junee’s Australia Day Ambassador, Mrs Liz Deep-Jones, alongside Deputy Mayor Councillor Marie Knight and 2024 Citizen of the Year recipient Ian Manwaring.

Meanwhile, Junee’s Rural Fire Service (RFS) Group Captain of nearly 30 years, Anthony (Tony) Clough, was awarded the prestigious Australian Fire Service Medal for his distinguished service.

One of only eight NSW RFS members recognised in this year’s national Australia Day Honours list, Mr Clough has dedicated more than 50 years to the RFS.

His roles have included captain, senior deputy captain, and deputy captain of the Wantabadgery Brigade, as well as group captain in the Junee District for the past 27 years.

As a strike team leader on multiple occasions, Mr Clough has personally responded to numerous challenging incidents, including the Jail Break Inn fire that devastated the Junee Shire in 2006 and the Dunns Road fire at Tumut during the Black Summer bushfires.

Beyond frontline firefighting, Mr Clough has been a key member of the Riverina Zone Senior Leadership Team since 2010 and a founding member of the equivalent Area South Western Team.

He has also contributed to community and firefighter safety through his work with the Riverina Bush Fire Management Committee and by helping develop practical fire-ground solutions and policy, including the Rural Fire Service Farm Fire Unit policy.