2025 Australia Day Awards in Barraba
BARRABA CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Australia Day 2025 Awards
There was very warm applause at the Golf Club on Sunday evening when the Barraba Citizen of the Year for 2024 was announced – Jenny Simpson.
For many years Jenny has been a tireless community worker in Barraba, particularly as the voluntary Treasurer of many organisations. Being a voluntary Treasurer is often both a thankless task, and a very complex and demanding one, particularly in a large organisation like the Barraba Show Society. Jenny has carried out this role, and others like it for many years with good humour, grace, and endless patience. And this is only one of her many voluntary roles. Thank you, and congratulations Jenny Simpson from the people of Barraba.
Other Barraba Award winners were:
Frank Darlington Young Achiever of Year – Akira Kanno, who in 2024 starred at the both the state Athletics and state Swimming Championships, and won prizes both at the Barraba Show for photography, and for poetry at the Clock Centenary.
2024 Frank Darlington Young Achiever of the Year – Akira Kanno
Barraba Community Event of the Year – Barraba Sports Shear and Wool Handling competition, which was held in conjunction with the Barraba Show. It drew record crowds, was great entertainment, and showcased the Wool industry in Barraba.
2024 Community Event of the year – Barraba Sports Shear and Wool Handling. Committee Members Jock Mallise (R) and Ashley Miller.
The awards ceremony was very ably chaired by Bindy Abell. Australia Day Ambassador Mel Thomas presented the awards. Ms Thomas is the founder of KYUP!, a very successful domestic violence prevention education program for women and girls.
Opening entertainment and the National Anthem was provided once again by our very own Barraba Band.
Following the ceremony, Barraba Rotary provided a sausage sizzle, and the large crowd was entertained by music from Nookie and the Free Spirits.
Presentation of Awards
2024 Frank Darlington Young Achiever of the Year
2024 Community Event of the Year
2024 Citizen of the Year
2024 Award Nominees were;
2024 Frank Darlington Young Achiever of the Year
Akira Kanno
2024 Community Event of the Year
Barraba Sports Shear and Wool Handling
Barraba Potters and Craft Guild, Warm and Woolly Exhibition
Barraba Memorial Clock Centenary
2024 Citizen of the Year
Janet and Jeffrey O’Leary
Peter James Squire
Carolyn Faint
Jenny Simpson