Australia Day 2022 Award Winners

The Blayney Shire Australia Day Awards recognise outstanding achievement and excellence in the local community, and highlights the importance of service to the Australian nation.

Congratulations to our award winners for 2022.

Citizen of the Year – Phillip Nankivell

Phillip Nanikvell or ‘Nank’ as he is commonly known, is all that a top citizen of a community represents. He has tirelessly given his time and energies to this district and in particular to the Blayney Agricultural and Pastoral Association (the Blayney Show). Phil first became a member in 1963 and has just retired from the position of President after an incredible 38 years in the role!

Phil has done an outstanding job leading, encouraging and guiding the committee. He has been central to improvements to the showground, the collaboration of different user groups and for encouraging and nurturing the next generation of organisers and committee members.

In 2021 Phil was presented with the Presidents Innovation Award for the Young Farmers Programs.

The Blayney Show recorded its biggest crowd on record in 2021 and demonstrates the wonderful position Phil leaves the Show Society in.

Phil is very proud of our community and always been an active participant not only in the Show but the Blayney Rugby League Club and other sporting groups in the Shire.

Volunteer of the Year – Jillian (Jill) Soo

Jill has been a member of the Blayney Rotary Club since 2006 and was the first female President of the Club. Jill has been awarded two Paul Harris Fellowships for her meritorious service to the community through Rotary and can regularly been seen with her apron on assisting with the Rotary BBQ, which is no different today.

Jill is an active member of the Inner Wheel Club of Blayney, the Blayney Garden Club, Blayney Probus Club is a strong supporter of the Blayney Shire Community Men’s Shed.

Jill has supported and sponsored many community events and activities including the Blayney Show, Blayney Harness Racing Club, Blayney Bears Rugby League, Soccer and Tennis.

Each Christmas Jill provides Christmas lunch for anyone in the community, especially those without family.

Jill is extremely generous with her time, donations and service to our community and is someone who makes you proud to be an Australian.

Community Event of the Year – Blayney Shire Horse Sports – Ranch Sorting Event

Blayney Shire Horse Sports held the Ranch Sorting event in January 2021 at the Central West Equestrian and Livestock Centre, becoming the biggest event of its type ever seen in Australia. There were over 1,200 runs over the weekend with over $17,000 being paid out in prize money for the winning teams.

Ranch sorting involves two riders on horseback sorting 10 cattle numbered 0-9 and one unnumbered cow for a total of 11 head.

As the riders enter the ring a number is called out and they have to sort that one first before sorting the rest in sequence. The unnumbered cow must stay in the ring.

The event attached twice the number of entrances then organisers expected and was a very successful weekend.

Appreciation Award – Martin Farr

Martin works tirelessly for the Carcoar Community. Whether it’s selling raffle tickets, cooking a BBQ, organising family events – Martin is always there. He is very active within the community and is always trying to get people involved.

Appreciation Award – Heather Fillery

Heather is a long time contributor to fundraising and volunteering in the Blayney Shire. Heather tackled a monumental effort in fundraising in 2021 raising approximately $50,000 for the MS foundation. The culmination of months of fundraising activities including raffles, incentives that included when a target was reached Heather and friends dyed their hair blue as part of the campaign.

Heather brought together the community to take part in the MS Swim-a-thon. A 24 hour event which involved 90 swimmers and over 15,000 laps and that was seamless in organisation and a credit to Heather.