Eugowra celebrates Australia Day

The official Australia Day activity in Eugowra, at the Eugowra Community Bowls and Recreation Club, drew a large crowd and commenced with the raising of the flag and Cath Welsh leading the singing of the national anthem.

MC Tim Cheney invited Eugowra's Ambassador Bryan Norrie to the stage, where he interviewed Bryan with a series of questions starting with his years growing up on the family farm at Eugowra, attending Eugowra Public School, playing for the Golden Eagles, Red Bend, Yanco, being selected in the Australian Schoolboys side. 

He then went onto his 11 years with the NRL clubs St George-Illawarra, Penrith, Cronulla and culminating in a Premiership with Melbourne Storm during his six years with them.

Bryan played 180 games with the NRL, and as he said, it is every boy's dream to play in a premiership-winning team in the NRL and he achieved that.

Bryan is now a fire fighter with the Fire and Rescue NSW and retains his involvement with the NRL in a part time position as an official in the 'bunker' during games. He fits it all in along with family life with Kim and sons  Brody, Zane and Connor.

Read more

Viv McMillan named Citizen of the Year

Wilf Norris OAM

MC Tim acknowledged local legend Wilf Norris, who received an OAM in the Australia Day Honours List for service to heritage preservation. 

Wilf’s service includes

The Australian Draught Horse Stud Book Society Founding member Western Branch

Founder Golden Plough (Horse Drawn) Ploughing Competition since 1975

Classifier and Competitor

Eugowra Historical Museum & Bushranger Centre- committee (current)

Donated various items

Member Restoration Group, Braveheart Wagon 2004-2009

Former participant Eugowra Show

Leader Forbes Annual Parade for 40 years

Leader West Wyalong Centenary Parade

Farm Manager Lachlan/Forbes Vintage Village 1970's

Involved in various film & TV productions including 'Dad & Dave' 1995

'Sunstruck' 1972

ABC television series 'Outback House' 2005

Read Wilf’s full story here.

Certificates of Appreciation

Bryan presented Certificates of Appreciation to Tess and Andrew Herbert of 'Gundamain' Feedlot and Andy Smith from 'Moxey Farms' from the Australia Day Committee as follows: The people of Eugowra would like to present to you an Appreciation Award in recognition of your support, donations and sponsorship of many local Eugowra events and hope your support will continue many years into the future.

Bryan also presented Appreciation Awards on behalf of the Australia Day committee to Councillor Kevin Walker and former Councillor Janelle Culverson. Special congratulations to Janelle who is the Mullion Creek Citizen of the Year.

Bryan presented the Eugowra Australia Day Committee Certificate of Appreciation Awards to Colin Greenhalgh and Brett Myors.

Colin was recognised for his involvement with the following:

Eugowra Harness Racing Club for many years, where he has been treasurer, and still is, and has been made a Life Member. He has been a successful breeder and trainer.

The Eugowra Show Society from the age of 16 where he worked with George in the ring and then took over as Chief Ring Steward. He was made a Life Member in 2008.

He is a member of the Public School P & C Association, Swimming Pool/Swimming Club committee where he was part of the executive, Eugowra Bowling Club where he served on the board and as Secretary and Eugowra Rugby League.

Colin has been the face of JC Adams, CRT and now Ag n Vet for most of is working life.

He has been a wonderful member of the Eugowra community all his life and is a great asset to the town of Eugowra.

Brett was recognised for his involvement with: Eugowra Rugby League club as a former player and a committee member; mowing, line marking, irrigation, maintenance and general help at the football ground; mowing at the cemetery; mowing the grounds at the Fat Lamb Hotel; mowing at the pool; major business sponsor at the Eugowra Bowling Club; working behind the scenes in many organisations.

Brett owns Mandagery Plastering where he employs local young people. He is a wonderful member of the Eugowra community and a great asset to the town of Eugowra.

Ambassador Bryan also presented the Eugowra Australia Day committee award to the Eugowra Event or Group of the Year, which went to the Swimming Pool Committee.

The committee has worked tirelessly over the last couple of years and are to be congratulated on: the garden and pot plants; the children's art work; the canteen; art lessons for the children – special mention to Di Garner; opening of the pool for longer hours; painting of the buildings; aqua aerobic lessons; pool toys.

The fantastic pool supervisors who along with the lifeguards make our great little pool such a welcoming and safe place for all.

Reprinted with permission of The Forbes Advocate