Boorowa’s Australia Day Awards Recipients

The crowd that supported Boorowa’s Australia Day Awards ceremony was just predicted by John Snelling, President of the Australia Day Awards Committee – large and joyful.

Held at the Boorowa Ex-Services and Citizen’s Club, participants were not disappointed by the ceremony, which was chaired by Mr Snelling along with Boorowa School Captains, Abbie Grant and Felix Crozier.

Speakers included Australia Day Ambassador, Geoff Coombes (co-founder of the Tour de Cure), and Uniting Church lay preacher, Bronwyn Fickel. Jordan Grimson, Junior Ambassador, delivered a well-constructed and heartfelt speech about the benefits of growing up in Boorowa.

Bede Morrissey then delighted the crowd by singing the Australian anthem in his beautiful Irish lilt, before the winners of the Australia Day awards were announced.

Several awards were bestowed on our worthy citizens:

• Landcare Awards: Gary Johnson and Bill Darmody.
• Community Awards: Phil Riles, Helen McGrath, Julie Poplin. The Len & Joan Oxley Memorial Award was won by Bert McMahon.
• Sports Awards: Senior Sports Person of the Year - Toby McGrath. Junior Sportsperson of the Year (18 Years and Under) - Tamsyn Ritchie. Junior Sportsperson of the Year (12 Years and Under) - Xavier Roffey. Sporting Team of the Year - Boorowa Rugby Club – Men’s First XV, Club Person of the Year - Des Grimson.
• Rotary Young Achiever of the Year Award: Jack Fahey
• Lions/Apex Boorowa Citizen of the Year Award: Justin Fleming

No one was more surprised at winning an award than Justin Fleming. Justin received his award for several reasons, including being the President of the Boorowa Rugby Union Club for 10 years, guiding the club through a time of change in competition, increased sponsorship and community involvement. During that time over $100,000 was raised for charity.

For the past nine years, Justin has also been the Chair for the Boorowa Education Foundation, leading many fundraisers, including $114,000 through the famous “Pig Push” events.

Justin is also a Board member of the Boorowa Ex- Services Club.

Through his business, Flemings Real Estate, he employs 14 people and sponsors junior and senior sporting clubs in Boorowa, Harden, Young and Cootamundra.

Justin Fleming is a highly valued community member who goes above and beyond to support the people of Boorowa in all manner of ways.

• Topics:

• Australia Day
• Awards