2021 Young Citizen of the Year

Many of you will have seen Hayden Whiteman’s annual display of Christmas light at the family home in Chelmsford Avenue. Mr Whiteman is the mastermind behind these wonderful displays which he puts together with some assistance from other members of the family. He also had a key role in the huge display of poppies near the war memorial in the lead up to ANZAC Day last year.

In 2020 Mr Whiteman joined the Economic Development Committee and his youthful enthusiasm is very much appreciated by the group. In this capacity he has provided assistance with organisation and setting up the Christmas Twilight Markets and was very hands on in the Shop Local promotion. Quite often he would take it upon himself to move the large barrel indoors or outdoors to save the staff at The GIL the need to wrangle it through the doorway. He also attended each of the four draws to check the entries were compliant.

Mr Whiteman was very involved with decorating the main street for the Winter Wonderland promotion in 2019.

There have been several community consultation sessions recently in relation to The GIL Community Hub and the Coo-ee Heritage Centre and Mr Whiteman provided valuable input to discussions. 

He is also the new treasurer of the Gilgandra Show Society. Mr Whiteman is a valuable member of the Gilgandra community and always willing to assist where he can.