Cowra Mayor, Councillor Bill West has congratulated all of the 2014 Cowra Australia Day Award recipients. The announcement of the winners was made today at the Australia Day Awards presentation at the Cowra Civic Centre.

Whilst congratulating all of the winners, Cr West also commended all nominees for the awards on their significant contribution to the community over the past year and encouraged them to continue with their outstanding work for the Cowra community.

“Special mention must go to those nominated for these awards; in the eyes of the community, they are all exceptional,” Cr West said.

Dr Warren Whiley Memorial Award Winner  Pamela Heikkinen

“Pamela has an admirable record in the promotion of inclusiveness, sharing of knowledge, and in cultural development. Her community involvement is wide-ranging and comprehensive and includes being President of Cowra Art Group; membership of the Festival of International Understanding Committee; Seniors Week event organiser; and Cultural Council Committee member.

“Through her business — the Kalari Art Gallery and Cellar Door — Pamela has created a local following for her professional art exhibitions and in the sponsorship of art prizes. Through this work, Pamela has displayed a life-long commitment to art, culture, and citizenship in a variety of practical and positive ways and is to be congratulated for her ongoing dedication to these fields of endeavour,” Cr West said.

Community Group of the Year Award Winner Cowra Magpies Rugby League Club

“Cowra Magpies Rugby League Club is a sporting institution in our town that quietly achieves for the community. The club unobtrusively goes about the business of promoting sporting involvement and a healthy lifestyle while also raising funds for a number of charitable organisations. One of these initiatives includes ‘Community Days’ that raise awareness of the issues that are of importance to our district and its people.

“Cowra Magpies has also prominently promoted — through a number of high-profile media initiatives —its membership of nationally-recognised anti-domestic violence campaigns which feature a number of prominent players at the Club.

For this and other good deeds, the ‘Maggies’ are to be commended for their broad-ranging and genuine contribution to our community,” Cr West said.

 Young Citizen of the Year Award Winner Jessica Meyers

“Jessica is one of our great achievers with accomplishments in a number of fields. With admirable drive and determination, she has provided practical, positive support for others that are less fortunate than ourselves. Her initiatives include walking 20km to raise funds and awareness for the charity, Caritas Australia. Jessica then decided to organise a giant Gala Dinner in support of her causes and with the assistance of Cowra Catholic Parish. “She then enlisted the help of sponsors, donors, organisations, and individuals with the dinner raising more than $19,000; an enormous success!  

“Jessica has subsequently been recognised within her school community with her election for prefect for 2014.  Jessica has shown herself to be an inspiration, a leader, and a role model within her school as well as in the wider community,” Cr West said.

 Citizen of the Year Award Winner Barbara Newham

“Describing Barbara Newham in a few words; one could say that she is all of these things — humble, gracious, caring, and thoughtful. She is also driven, encouraging, determined, and kind.

“Barbara is being recognised today for her commitment to the Cowra Cancer Action Group which she has committed herself to from the local level to the highest tiers of Government. In this work, she has encouraged, cajoled, and enthused senior policy-makers, Health Department officials, media, and other relevant authorities to get her message out to the public. Barbara has committed herself to this work and to other important causes for a number of years. We can anticipate that she will continue in this fine work for many more years to come,” Cr West said.