Community & Business
17 February, 2024
2024 Citizen of the Year nominations
There were five nominations for 2024 Citizen of the Year Award - Micheal Hannelly, Stephen Basham, Maxine Elsom, Peter Hazelton, and Geoffrey Kiehne.
Councillor Gail Babbage read out the nominations at this year's Australia Day Ceremony held in Hunter Park.
Michael ‘Mick’ Hannelly
“Mick Hannelly is one of our community’s quiet achievers, an unsung hero! Mick has been on the board at the Sporties club for a brief time, and after stepping down still volunteers by assisting on bonanza nights, driving the courtesy bus, picking up glasses, attending working bees and helping whenever he sees a need.
Mick was also a driving force in running the barefoot business bowls competition for several years.
“Mick has been on the golf club board also for a time but saw himself as being more useful just turning up when things need doing! When the most recent executive introduced Friday night food at the golf club, Mick was one of the small group of ‘chefs’ who volunteered to cook, serve, and clean up. This initiative has been well received and very successful in helping to keep the club afloat.
“At the setup of every Gilgandra Jockey Club race meeting, you will find Mick Hannelly as one of the merry band of men doing the volunteer work. For quite some time he offered his skills and equipment in presenting the grounds in pristine condition but of late, with more paid staff filling that role, Mick helps setting up the bar, cleaning and whatever is required.
“He also has a passion for our Panthers Rugby League Club and can often be seen helping on the gate at home games. Mick’s Mowing has been a valuable business for our town for many years and there is many a story of Mick doing a pro-bono job for someone experiencing ill health or other trying circumstances. Mick also has his offsider, Ethan Coxsedge, with him three days a week which has become an extremely important, well-known partnership in our community.
“Mick may not have his name up in lights, but he is a major part of the fabric of our town and a worthy nominee for this award.”
Stephen Basham
“Stephen was a member of the Gilgandra rural fire brigade from 1989 to 1997 while also being captain and secretary of Gilgandra from 1994 to 1997. Stephen is now a member of Deep Creek brigade, since 2014, and held the position of deputy captain in 2015. He was elected to the role as a group officer of Castlereagh zone in 2015 and still holds this position today. Stephen is also a member of several Rural Fire Service (RFS) working groups including the Next Gen Appliance Working Group, a member of Castlereagh Zone Senior Leadership Team and the North-Western Area Command Senior Leadership Team. He has performed duties as both deputy fire control officer and fire control officer in the Moree and Gilgandra areas.
“Stephen was also a member of Moree brigade from 2009 to 2014. He has volunteered at numerous incidents during his RFS career including several significant fires in the Gilgandra area in the past years such as the flour mill fire in 1997, Flora Reserve Road fire and the Angel Gap fires. When required, Stephen also attends large scale incidents such as fire or flood events outside of the Castlereagh district to support other communities and emergency service agencies. As a member of the RFS he attends volunteer courses to further develop his own knowledge and assists with delivering training courses; drawing on his knowledge and experience to enhance the skills, safety, and professionalism of other RFS members.
“Stephen has contributed to the Gilgandra community throughout the last 12 months by volunteering his time to the NSW RFS. He is currently a respected group officer in the Castlereagh zone. Stephen has attended several incidents within the Gilgandra area, ranging from grass fires, truck fires and motor vehicle accidents.
Each incident he attends, he volunteers his time to support all those on the scene. Over the last few months Stephen has volunteered his time every Wednesday to open the doors at the Gilgandra fire control to the members of the RFS and to members of the community.
Some incidents of note that Stephen has been requested to attend include the bushfire in Breelong National Park, hay truck fire at Balladooran, bushfire at Kickabil on Christmas Eve (where he remained on the fire ground until approximately 12.30am on Christmas morning), a truck fire on Tap Hill, and most recently an unfortunately fatal motor vehicle accident on the Castlereagh Highway.
“Stephen has received multiple awards and medals throughout his time in volunteering with the RFS. Some of these include long service medals for 10-years, 15-years and the 20-year long service clasp. He has received a national medal and an Australian Fire Service Medal. He was also a recipient of the Premiers’ Bushfire Citation for his work during the 2019/2020 bushfire season.”
Peter Hazelton
“Peter has been the president of the Gilgandra Panthers Senior Rugby League Club for the past 19-years including 2023, until he stepped down from that role at the club's annual general meeting late in the year.
He still serves the club as a member of the committee. While the ‘on-field’ rugby league season might appear to be limited to just five months of the year, in reality as soon as one season finishes the next one starts for administrators and Peter is one of the most hands-on and hard-working club presidents you will find, spending countless hours per week working for the club and consequently the Gilgandra community.
“While the Gilgandra Panthers are a focus for his contribution, he has also been a quiet achiever in other areas and willingly lends a hand anywhere it is required, for example helping at the Gilgandra racecourse and at other community organisations. He regularly checks in on people who might be doing it a bit tough or are unwell.
His support can range from a friendly chat over a cuppa, to using his tradie skills to fix something, to quietly dropping in a load of wood and all manner of other things that are extremely well appreciated by the recipients.
It is hard to quantify Peter's contribution to the Gilgandra community and while his massive involvement with the Gilgandra Panthers over the years is visible, his behind-the-scenes involvement with other organisations and individuals may not be so visible, but he has, and continues to be, extremely generous and giving of his time in various ways.”
Geoffrey Kiehne
“Geoff contributes to the community in a multitude of roles, his longstanding commitment to community can be seen at many community functions presided over by his leadership and commitment as unit commander through the Gilgandra State Emergency Service (SES).
“Many in our community of all ages have enjoyed the wonderful SES Santa lolly run, the preschool and school visits, the ongoing commitment supporting the operations of the hospital helipad and health services.
“Finally, at the most important times in our lives, the community can breathe easy knowing that following severe weather events; storms, high winds, bushfires, and emergency events requiring SES responders - the SES team are always on site quickly under the considered and well-trained coordination of Geoff.
“Geoff has given enduring commitment in many community roles, paid and unpaid - from the SES Gilgandra unit coordinator overseeing a new headquarters, plant and equipment - a new rescue truck and storm trailer as well as an increase in volunteer members, to other roles including sharing his training and skills as a paramedic educator and Gilgandra Community Garden volunteer, such is Geoff's commitment to the health and wellbeing of his community. Geoff is an excellent communicator and advocate for the Gilgandra region and community. He has worked with dedication and respect with our various agencies including Gilgandra RFS, NSW Fire and Rescue, police, ambulance, and through outreach to many of our regional and interstate emergency and rescue operations.”
