It was a clean sweep for the Numurkah Rotary Club on Thursday, January 26, as the community group took out three major awards across Numurkah and District at the Australia Day 2023 ceremony.
Numurkah Rotary Club won community event of the year for its 75th Anniversary Soldier Settlement Scheme, as well as a certificate of appreciation for the club.
Unsurprising to locals, the Rotary Club won the arts/culture/environment project of the year for its Numurkah NCN Health Community Bus Appeal.
The project was a joint venture involving NCN Health that had money rolling in from businesses, community groups and individuals.
Numurkah Rotary Club treasurer Stephen Mills said the group set a target of raising enough money to afford two new buses in 12 months.
“It was incredible — it only took seven months to raise the funds, I guess the lack of community events in lockdown made people quick to get behind it,” Mr Mills said.
Numurkah Rotary Club president Rex Shields said the club might have gotten the award, but it was really a win for the community.
“I feel like I’ve accepted the awards on behalf of the community,” Mr Shields said.
“$170,000 in seven months – goes to show the community spirit in a small town ... and that the building up of service clubs gets things done.”
Another substantial winner was Cub Scout leader Judi Stedman.
Ms Stedman won Numurkah and District’s 2023 Citizen of the Year award, recognised for her 39 years of voluntary service.
“I’m still in shock. You don’t do it for the award, but it’s lovely to be honoured for the work I’ve done,” she said.
Ms Stedman’s dedication to the Cub Scout children and other Scouting leaders, particularly in post-lockdown, revived and re-engaged the local Scouts program.
Other award winners in the Numurkah and District area included Numurkah and District Historical Society for organisation of the year.
RSL Numurkah Sub Branch and Eden Farm Wellness Multicultural Festival were recipients of certificates of appreciation.