Couple honoured for 50 years of service to Canowindra
Published on 26 January 2020
A Canowindra couple who devoted themselves to working for an array of organisations for more than 50 years have been named the town’s Citizens of the Year.
Anne and Mark Ward received their awards during Australia Day celebrations in Canowindra, which is also featured a citizenship ceremony where seven new Australian citizens were welcomed to Cabonne Shire.
Mark Ward has been involved with and held executive positions for at least 40 years in organisations such as Apex, the Canowindra Showground Trust Committee, Jockey Club Committee, St Kevin’s Men’s Hostel in the 1980s, the Rivers Fire Brigade, Canowindra Squash Club, Canowindra Pre-School and the Belubula Landholder’ Association.
He spent 25 years as a board member with the Lyndon House Drug and Rehabilitation Service, 10 as chairman. Mark has been a member of the Canowindra branch of the NSW Farmers and a founding member of the Men’s Monthly Luncheon.
Anne has held various positions with the Canowindra Swimming Club, volunteered with St Vincent De Paul Society, Meals on Wheels and the 100-Mile Dinner, as well as being a founding member of the Canowindra Garden Club.
Anne was the director of the Canowindra Pre-School in the 1980s and early 1990s and since her retirement from a teaching role, she and Mark have been advisors to subsequent pre-school educators and the committee.
They have also held executive roles in various committees with St Edward’s Primary School, as well as being strong supporters of St Edward’s parish for 50 years.
Anne and Mark were founding members of the Read Triplet Trust, which was formed to assist a local family build an accessible house for their three wheelchair-bound children.
Australia Day celebrations were held at 10 Cabonne towns and villages, with Australia Day Ambassador Peter Herbert, Cabonne’s Youth Ambassador Hudson Izzard and Mayor Kevin Beatty attending ceremonies in Mullion Creek, Cargo and Canowindra.
Mr Herbert, a noted television writer and producer, has been associated with iconic series such as The Sullivans, Cop Shop, The Flying Doctors, The Comedy Company and Acropolis Now.
In addition to celebrations visited by Cabonne’s official party, Australia Day ceremonies were held in Nashdale, Cudal, Cumnock, Eugowra, Manildra, Molong and Yeoval.
The full list of Australia Day award recipients in Cabonne is:
Borenore/Nashdale: Citizen of the Year – Luke Cantrill; Young Citizen of the Year – Sophie Redenbach; Community Group of the Year – Nashdale Sports & Social Committee.
Canowindra: Citizen of the Year – Anne & Mark Ward; Young Citizen of the Year – Jamie Austin; Community Group of the Year – CWA Canowindra Branch.
Cargo: Citizen of the Year – Karen McMullen; Young Citizen of the Year – Caitlin Brand; Community Group of the Year - Cargo Garden Club.
Cudal: Citizen of the Year – Kate Hazelton; Young Citizen of the Year – Ryan Drew; Community Group of the Year – Cudal Musical & Dramatic Society.
Cumnock: Citizen of the Year – Valmai McKenzie; Community Group of the Year – Cumnock War History Group.
Eugowra: Citizen of the Year – Shirley Heinzel; Young Citizen of the Year – Jake Greenhalgh; Community Group of the Year - Eugowra Events & Tourism Association.
Manildra: Citizen of the Year – Sandra Yelland; Young Citizen of the Year – Grace Press; Community Group of the Year – Manildra Twilight Netball.
Molong: Citizen of the Year – Lesley Bye; Young Citizen of the Year – Toby Parry; Community Group of the Year – Molong Hockey Club Cabonne.
Mullion Creek: Citizen of the Year – Toni Searl; Young Citizen of the Year – Abbey Gregory; Community Group of the Year – Mullion Creek Primary School Robotics Group.
Yeoval: Citizen of the Year – Thomas Chown; Young Citizen of the Year – Bridget Smith; Community Group of the Year – Rally Till It Rains.
Cabonne Sportsperson of the Year
Lachlan Thompson, Manildra
Environmental Champion of the Year
Sally Kirby, Molong