Go-to anthem performer Andrew Bates admitted battling force of habit in switching to the slightly-revised wording of 'for we are ONE and free' in his rendition of Advance Australia Fair at Tenterfield's Australia Day celebrations on Tuesday. He was alone, however, as a restriction of being a COVID-safe gathering was that no-one could join him in the singing.
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"But for once it was sung in unison," quipped deputy mayor Greg Sauer, who was master of ceremonies.
The 2021 Australia Day event was relocated to the quadrangle at the Tenterfield High School to accommodate a more widely-spread crowd. Attendees were required to register on arrival and hand-sanitise, and the free breakfast catered by Tenterfield Lions Club was provided in an ultra-hygienic manner.
Still the event attracted a quite healthy crowd, numbers-wise and, hopefully, health-wise. No doubt this will be confirmed in 10-14 days.
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Following the Welcome to County offered by Jasmine Stuart, each of the speakers acknowledged that the gathering was on Aboriginal land although there was no mention of changing the date to a less-contentious one.
In her address Carmel Cook representing MP Janelle Saffin noted the community's good fortune in not being directly affected by the coronovirus although the difficulties served by surrounding factors such as border closures proved challenging.
The difficult past 12 months which saw many events cancelled and people stay close to home also impacted the number of nominations received for each of the categories awarded, with no nominations received for Sportsperson of the Year.
Each is an extremely worthy recipient.
- Cr Greg Sauer
"In no way does this take away from the wonderful citizens who are to be recognised today," Cr Sauer said.
"Each is an extremely worthy recipient for the difference they have made to our shire-wide community."
Ninety-one-year-old Liston legend John Burton was named Citizen of the Year, for a lifetime of serving his community and, more recently, establishment of the Cobb & Co exhibit at Liston.
Tireless rescue helicopter supporters John 'Dodge' Landers and Margaret Smith were also nominated in this category.
Phoebe Cooper was announced Young Citizen of the Year, for her active involvement at Tenterfield High School and in extra-curricular activities, and in community programs.
Neville Smith was a popular pick for Emergency Services Volunteer of the Year, although he was not present on the day. Mr Smith was seriously injured while battling local bushfires last year, but continues to contribute with Community Transport to drive people to medical appointments.
Organisers of the inaugural Grassroots Endura 'Tenterfield Terror' motorbike competition last March were awarded Community Event of the Year, managing to mount the first of what was to be a seven-race series around Australia before COVID lockdowns hit. This year's event is set for March 6 and 7, back at Grasstree on Upper Rocky River Road.
Here are the full citations for all the awardees:
Citizen of the Year
John Charles Burton, nominated by John Henry Burton, is a long term resident of Liston who, before his semi-retirement, was running three cattle properties in the Liston district.
John is a carpenter by trade and his hobbies have always included collecting antiques and restoration of old things, as well as pottery, leatherwork, and in fact anything that involves tinkering in the shed.
John is always inventing something to make his life easier or helping others with their projects. In the past, when other farmers in the district had equipment breakdown, they would call on John to help repair whatever required attention.
He is a very clever man. He can repair or build anything, often out of recycled bits and pieces.
Born in 1929, John attended Amosfield School and then Rural School in Stanthorpe - riding his pushbike from Amosfield to Stanthorpe to attend.
Following this, John completed a carpentry apprenticeship in Inverell. In later years he would supplement his income by building, rabbit trapping and kangaroo shooting when times were tough.
John is an unassuming man, often working in the background to help others. He was an active member and Captain of the Liston Fire Brigade.
He designed and helped build the Fire Brigade building in Liston township, building the trusses at his house and milling the timber at a sawmill he built himself.
John actively canvassed the Council and NSW Fire Service for equipment and training for the crews.
Other community positions include being supervisor/foreman for the RED Scheme, renovating the Liston Hall and building new amenities in the local park.
John and his wife Therese were founding members of the Stanthorpe Pottery Club.
John's community spirit has come to the fore in recent years. When the Seven Mile Lane, which runs past John's residence at Liston Creek, was renamed Herding Yard Creek Road it jolted him into wanting to acknowledge the history of the village and to share with the community and visitors some heritage of the Liston area.
In particular, he wished people to remember the Cobb & Co mail route from Tenterfield to Maryland which passed through Liston, travelling along the Seven Mile Lane.
This desire led John, in his late 80's, to build a replica Cobb & Co stage coach, a nod to the coach service from a bygone era.
John's journey continued with the restoration of a wagon, culminating in the establishment of a bush museum in 2020 situated in the fresh mountain air of Liston with the echoes of cracking whips, school bells and cricket games.
At 91 years of age John, with his supporters, designed and constructed the building that houses the coach and other collectables, prolonging the longevity of John's kind actions.
John's dream, which is now a reality, is a reminder to visitors of the broad history of the Village of Liston and the surrounding districts.
From the horse and sulky, or the stage coach and galloping horses, to the mail planes, to the motor vehicle, to the smart technology of today, Liston and John have seen the broad spectrum of change.
Now others can share this journey!
Also up for Citizen(s) of the Year were Margaret Cooper and John Landers, nominated by Lisa Dalton.
Young Citizen of the Year
Being the sole nominee for Young Citizen of the Year does not diminish in any way the achievements of Phoebe Kate Cooper, nominated by Tenterfield High School Principal Stephanie Scott.
Phoebe is a born and bred Tenterfield local who has always been involved in her school, and in extra-curricular and community programs.
Phoebe has maintained an active involvement in a range of sports right from childhood and throughout her teenage years.
Phoebe has represented Tenterfield High School as School Leader in 2020 and House Captain in 2019.
Phoebe's involvement through both school and community has covered:
- Tenterfield Anzac Parade
- Red Shield Appeal
- Meals on Wheels
- Tenterfield Show
- Northern Schools Steer and Lamb Competitions
- The Ekka
- Member of Student Representative Council and
- Peer Support Leader
- Youth Advisory Committee member
- Actively fundraised for the Year 12 Formal
- Volunteer at 2019 Bushfire Appeal
- Phoebe also has an impressive sporting career:
- Member of Tenterfield Touch Committee
- Referee and Coach of Junior Touch Football
- Member of Tenterfield Junior Rugby League
- 2018 Warwick & District Under 17 Player of the Year
- Qualified Life Guard
At the 2020 High School Presentation Day, Phoebe was awarded the Senior Agriculture Award and Australian Defence Force Leadership and Teamwork Award.
Phoebe continued her volunteering and representing Tenterfield High School throughout all the difficulties our town has faced during the past few years. Despite drought, bushfires and COVID-19, Phoebe continued to lead the way in positively representing her school and community.
Phoebe is currently working at Tenterfield Child Care Centre undertaking a traineeship and is a part time employee at Amcal Pharmacy.
Phoebe truly demonstrates a commitment to leadership and is a worthy winner of the Young Citizen of the Year for 2021.
Emergency Services Volunteer of the Year, or Group
During the horror fire season of 2020, Neville Smith was severely injured while fighting local fires and was subsequently hospitalised in Brisbane for several weeks. He has recently undergone further surgery for his injuries.
Neville is a quiet, humble man who has worked tirelessly throughout his life. He is always willing to lend a hand to those in need.
Despite his injuries, he is still driving members of our community to medical appointments for Community Transport.
While I am aware that Neville is not in attendance today, I note that we are indeed fortunate to have people in our community such as him and I am honoured to declare Mr Neville Smith the Emergency Services Volunteer for 2021 and I will ensure the award finds its way to him.
Community Event of the Year
The Grassroots Enduro "Tenterfield Terror" event held on 14th and 15th March 2020, was the first of its kind ever in Australia.
The event was held just before the COVID lockdown on the Grasstree property on the Upper Rocky River Road and attracted around 300 riders from around Australia and overseas to compete in what was to be a 7 race series.
Unfortunately the COVID restrictions led to all other races being cancelled.
The event was family friendly with the option for Junior riders as well as Gold, Silver and Bronze Class Senior riders.
The economic contribution from people coming to attend the event, particularly in the face of the drought and then the severe fires, was a key consideration for the owners of Grasstree, and the motivation behind working with the promoter to hold the event on their property.
The estimated 1000 people attending the event sourced fuel, food and camping supplies from the local stores in Tenterfield and many accommodation venues were booked out.
The Australasian Dirt Bike Magazine covered the event with a multi-page article providing the township of Tenterfield with national coverage from a tourism perspective.
The riders who competed, some who also compete internationally, claimed that the tracks featured in this event were the "best in Australia".
With continued partnering and commitment from the Grassroots Enduro team and the Grasstree property owners, there is no reason that this event could not feature on the annual calendar for Tenterfield, providing a great source of diverse economic contribution to the community into the future, both through the event itself, but also through the ongoing promotion of Tenterfield nationally as a travel destination.
