Passionate rural doctor receives Citizen of the Year Award
Published on 26 January 2019
One of the driving forces behind the construction of Molong’s award-winning Waluwin Community Health Centre and the redevelopment of Molong Hospital has been named the town’s Citizen of the Year.
Dr Robin Williams is a General Practitioner passionate about rural medicine and encouraging new doctors to practice in country towns.
He was a member of the community working party which worked with Cabonne Council to build the Waluwin Health One Centre, which became one of Australia’s first, fully integrated primary health and community care facilities when it opened in 2010.
It is regarded as a model for the future delivery of health services in rural areas and is a hub for primary health care and training for young doctors and medical students.
Integrating the care of patients and communities is the basis of Dr Williams’ practice, with a team-based approach from “cradle to grave”, providing care as close as possible to home.
Dr Williams’ next challenge is to ensure that General Practice continues in small towns.
Dr Williams was one of 26 individuals and groups to receive Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year or Community Group of the Year awards in 10 Cabonne towns and villages today.
It was also a big day for Cabonne’s Youth Ambassador Matthew Beuzeville, who accompanied Mayor Kevin Beatty and Australia Day Ambassador Sarah Garnett, the founder of the Footpath Library charity, to ceremonies at Cumnock, Molong and Eugowra.
Mathew was named Molong’s Young Citizen of the Year.
The 2018 Molong Central School captain was recognised for his academic, sporting and community achievements. He received the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Award for his achievements in science studies and the International Olympic Movement’s Pierre de Coubertin Award for his sporting efforts.
A new award for Environmental Champion of the Year was presented to Cumnock Public School Parents and Citizens Association.
In addition to the celebrations visited by Cabonne’s official party, Australia Day ceremonies were held at Borenore, Canowindra, Cargo, Cudal, Manildra, Mullion Creek and Yeoval.
The full list of Australia Day award recipients in Cabonne is:
Borenore/Nashdale
Citizen of the Year - Sian Jacobs; Young Citizen of the Year – Beau Westcott; Community Group of the Year – Australian National Field Days.
Canowindra
Citizen of the Year – Leanne Stevenson; Young Citizen of the Year – William Wright; Community Group of the Year - Canowindra Creative Centre Inc.
Cargo
Citizen of the Year – Rodney Wilson; Community Group of the Year - Cargo Village Markets.
Cudal
Citizen of the Year – David Farrell; Young Citizen of the Year – Marlee Nixon; Community Group of the Year – Cabonne Food Wine and Cultural Centre.
Cumnock
Citizen of the Year – Carol Kerr; Community Group of the Year – Cumnock Red Cross.
Eugowra
Citizen of the Year – Catherine Eppelstun; Young Citizen of the Year –Katie Townsend; Community Group of the Year - Eugowra Show Society.
Manildra
Young Citizen of the Year – Toby Gibson; Community Group of the Year – Manildra Swimming Club.
Molong
Citizen of the Year – Dr Robin Williams; Young Citizen of the Year – Matthew Beuzeville; Community Group of the Year – St John Ambulance Cadets Molong Division.
Mullion Creek
Citizen of the Year – Banika Smee; Community Group of the Year – March Rural Fire Service Brigade.
Yeoval
Citizen of the Year – Philip Hunter; Young Citizen of the Year – Sydney Tremain; Community Group of the Year – Yeoval Swimming Club.
Environmental Champion of the Year
Cumnock Public School P&C