A large crowd usually gathers in Cooke Park for the Australia Day celebrations and awards presentation.
Nominations are now open for the 2021 Parkes Shire Council Community, Cultural, Environmental and Sports Awards, including the Ron Harrison Sports Bursary.
“This year it is particularly important to recognise the outstanding people and groups in our community who have positively contributed to the local culture, community and environment during the current pandemic,” said Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM.
“The annual Australia Day awards are designed to publicly acknowledge and reward the marvellous contributions these citizens and groups make on a local level and encourage others to follow their lead.”
The awards cover the 2020 calendar year to-date and will be announced during the Australia Day Awards ceremony held in January next year.
This year all nominations must be made online via Council’s website https://www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/living-here/your-community/awards/. Please visit the Parkes Library if you require any assistance with your nomination form. Entries close on 30th November.
• Community Awards: Adult Citizen – over 25 years of age; Young Citizen – up to 25 years of age; Individuals or a Community Group for an event.
• Cultural Awards: Performance Award; Literary Award; Visual Arts Award; Cultural Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Environmental Awards: Recognises an individual or group contributing to our environmental preservation or advancing environmental awareness.
• Sports Awards: The eight categories are: Sportsperson of the Year; Junior Sportsperson of the Year; Team of the Year; Coach or Manager; Referee or Official; Senior Team or Sportsperson; Administrator; Long Service and Dedication Award
• Ron Harrison Sports Bursary: The $2,000 bursary is to: Provide financial assistance to Sportspersons of the Parkes Shire, particularly those at junior levels, who demonstrate the need for this assistance. As well as to perpetuate the memory of the late Ron Harrison, who died in February 1985, for his contribution to the community of Parkes and district.