Broken Hill commemorated Australia Day on Friday in a ceremony held at the Civic Centre. Nine members of the community were presented Australia Day Awards and 12 people received Australian citizenship in a showing of unity in the city and to its people.
Chair of the Australia Day Committee, David Gallagher, said it was a special day for all involved, especially those who were recognised for the achievements and volunteering work within town, and said the turnout made the entire event a huge success.
“It was a huge success, great crowd – the largest crowds we’ve seen here in Broken Hill for many, many years. The participation of the audience, the new citizens that the Mayor inducted today, it’s just a credit to the Broken Hill community and very proud to be Australian and it’s a great day!”, he said.
Broken Hill Mayor Tom Kennedy echoed similar sentiments to the overall morning, telling the Barrier Truth he’s always proud to be able to host Australia Day in Broken Hill.
“Probably one of the greatest honours as Mayor is to be the person that presides over new Australian citizenships. The other thing that’s a great honour is to give out Australia Day awards to people that wholeheartedly deserve them. It really is an honour and quite humbling to be able to be involved in it”, he said.
Below is a list of the residents that call Broken Hill home and received individual awards for their service within the Silver City in various capacities, with some having more than 60 years’ worth of service across different volunteering roles.
CITIZENSHIP AWARD: George Bugeja
Synonymous with soccer in Broken Hill, George Bugeja started his coaching career in 1983 with Burke Ward Public School. He went on to coach West Panthers Soccer Club for 40 years, retiring at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
George has coached many representative sides that competed at SAJSA tournaments, amassing many medals and awards along the way in both junior and senior grades in local and representative competitions. George was instrumental in submitting a proposal to the BHSA in 1993 to form a women’s competition – a first for local soccer.
“It’s brilliant. I didn’t expect anything after all the years volunteering, but it’s a pleasure. It’s a great honour to receive it. It was good that someone out of the family took it upon themselves to [nominate me] – James Daly. I coached his boy well over 25-30 years ago, and he’s the guy that moved me for a nomination.”
CITIZENSHIP AWARD: Brendan Cullen
Following his own mental health struggles, Brendan Cullen has become an advocate for helping others experience its challenges. Brendan has been a Lifeline Ambassador for several years, helping to break the stigma attached to mental health struggles, particularly in the farming community.
In 2022, Brendan completed a solo swim of the English Channel, raising funds for suicide prevention around the globe. In 2023, along with five others, Brendan completed a relay swim of the English Channel, again raising money and highlighting rural mental health.
He became a Champion of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s We’ve Got Your Back Program in a partnership with Lifeline Broken Hill and has worked within various community outreach programs such as How’s Ya Mate and We’ve Got Your Back, which earned him Lifeline Country 2 Coast’s 2023 Des Griffith Memorial Service Award.
“It’s an absolute honour. To be nominated is one thing, and to be able to stand up with all those other nominees is quite extraordinary. I’m gobsmacked by the presentation the Council deliver. It was also wonderful to see our new Australian citizens get their citizenship which was quite special to see. I got a lot out of it”, he told the Barrier Truth.
CITIZENSHIP AWARD: Sharon Hocking
A well-known businesswoman who’s served on numerous committees over the years, Sharon Hocking is the epitome of community orientated. She started a pre-kindy club for young mums and was involved in a number of pre-school and children’s care centres, as well as still working on accounting for small businesses.
In 1991, Sharon became the President of the YWCA and held the position of NSW State Treasurer of YWCA for three years. Sharon served on the Broken Hill Chamber of Commerce as the Vice President for four years and in 1999 became the Chamber’s first female president.
Sharon continues to serve several committees in various capacities including Treasurer of Landcare Broken Hill and Western Landcare, Secretary for 2DryFM, Bookkeeper for the St Pat’s Race Club alongside many others.
“It’s amazing. You don’t go in these things to win awards. I don’t volunteer to win awards. I was nervous all week. I didn’t want to get up in front of people, and now, you couldn’t get a more joyous person. I think it’s just fabulous. I’ll be nominating people next year!”
CITIZENSHIP AWARD: Professor David Lyle
Professor David Lyle has made significant contributions in the field of rural health, particularly in Broken Hill. Professor Lyle initially moved to Broken Hill to establish University Department of Rural Health for the University of Sydney (BHUDRH). Under Professor Lyle, BHUDRH was the first to establish the federal Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program.
Other notable achievements include the introduction of long stay medical and allied health programs, addressing children’s blood lead levels in Broken Hill, as well as issues in palliative care and mental health. His contributions to rural health were recognised through the establishment of the ARHEN David Lyle Prizes for Rural and Remote Health.
Professor Lyle was also instrumental in Broken Hill’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, taking on the role of Public Health Controller for the Broken Hill area.
CITIZENSHIP AWARD: Mark Curtis
Mark Curtis, a Church of Christ Minister, is well respected throughout the Broken Hill community. He has conducted many local funerals in his capacity as a minister and former funeral director. Mark is also longest serving conductor with the Broken Hill Civic Orchestra and has been an integral reason for the Orchestra’s longevity over the years.
For almost 30 years, Mark was part of the Church of Christ’s organising team for the annual Carols by Candlelight, and, alongside his family, has performed in inter-church events, as well as stepped in to aid other local musical groups, such as the BIU Band, the Philharmonic Choir and the Cameron Pipe Band’s.
“It’s really a great honour, but I find it extremely humbling because I’m just doing the upfront stuff of what everyone else is doing in the background. I feel like a fraud standing up there taking the award because I’m part of multiple groups and everyone works hard. It’s very gratifying to be acknowledged but at the same time, I’m aware there’s plenty of other people who deserve the accolade just as much as I do.”
YOUNG ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD: August Keenan
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a young age, 11-year-old August (Augie) Keenan is the true meaning of small but mighty. She has been a keen advocate for type 1 diabetes which has included meeting with members of Parliament to try and get better access to services for patients with the illness, especially in rural and remote areas.
Augie has been raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) since 2020 which has included “Wear It Blue” Days at school, holding raffles and selling merchandise. In October 2023, Augie helped organise the first-ever JDRF One Walk in Broken Hill which attracted some 100 participants.
“I think she’s just proud to be acknowledged. And also, she’s done a few things in such a short amount of time, but obviously all motivated by helping people in our community access the appropriate services, so I think she’s just excited and proud”, Augie’s mum, Danielle, told us.
SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Diane Magor
Diane Magor’s skills she learned after undertaking a Bachelor of Music Degree, complete with intensive vocal training in Broken Hill and Adelaide, has serviced the community. A conductor of the Philharmonic Choir for 16 years, the voluntary position involves training and conducting the choir for two major concerts, as well as smaller events.
Diane has performed as a solo vocalist at countless events for the Philharmonic, Repharmonic, Theatre 44, BIU Band, Anglican Church and others from the early 1980s to the present. For 22 years, she has also represented the Philharmonic Society on the Broken Hill Proms Concert Committee and was a committee member of the Gallipoli Memorial Foundation.
She has contributed to many singing events at nursing homes and retirement villages, community events, conferences, International Women’s Day breakfast, and Carols by Candlelight, as well as being a committed member of her church community.
SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Larry Angell
The unofficial Mayor of South Broken Hill, Larry Angell has contributed much to the city over the last four decades. He currently holds the position of Vice President of the South Village Association after serving as its Chair for 10 years. He has been integral in the running of South Broken Hill events such as Christmas in the Park and the Patton Park Family Fun Day.
In 2023, Larry volunteered his time in getting the White’s Mining and Mineral Museum reopened and dedicates his time to running it five days a week. A well-known veteran of the mining community, Larry worked with the RFDS for over 10 years as a tour guide too, adding to his enormous interest in promoting Broken Hill and the region as a tourist experience.
Larry also uses holidays such as Halloween, Christmas, and Pink October to decorate his house, bringing joy to adults and children, all the while trying to fundraise for local causes as well as charities such as Love Ya Sister and helping local clubs with BBQs, gardening, and deliveries.
“I’m just so pleased. When you get involved with the community, you don’t do it for the awards. It’s nice to be recognised and Australia Day is such a special day anyway. Over the moon.”
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Rodney Garner
Rodney Garner has long been associated with Broken Hill basketball. A coach, player and volunteer over the years, Rodney is a life member of the Basketball Association, and was integral in ensuring the Bob Sanderson Basketball Stadium was built.
Rod has coached Men’s, Women’s, and Junior sides at the local and representative levels, refereed and served as a member of the Association executive. He was also a founding member of the Junior’s committee and volunteered in the canteen.
Beyond basketball, Rod has a long history with Broken Hill AFL, as a player, and later volunteer, for the North Football Club. Rod was also one of the first members of the Shinglebacks AFL Masters Club and was involved in encouraging women to play AFL. Rod has also been an active member of the Competition Match Committee for AFL Broken Hill since 2012.
“It’s an honour, and it’s a shock. A pleasant surprise. I knew I was nominated, had no idea what type of award it would be. To receive a Citizen of the Year Award, it’s just amazing. It’s not something we set out to do. Most people involved in volunteering do it because they enjoy what they’re involved in. It is really pleasing that 50-odd years down the track you’re recognised for the hours put in. Sometimes [it] can be challenging, but certainly it’s very rewarding and I feel very humbled and quite self-conscious about this award. But I’m very pleased to receive it. I’m not giving it back!”
