Citizen of the Year: Barbara Waters
Manning Valley Historical Society president Barbara Waters has been named Australia Day Citizen of the Year by the Rotary Club of Wingham.
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Sports Person of the Year: Scott Brown
WINGHAM High School manual arts teacher and motorcycle racer Scott Brown is the Rotary Sports Person of the Year.
As president and a member of BEARS (British, European, American Racing and Supporters) Australian Motorcycle Racing Club Championships, he competes in six rounds of racing throughout Australia each year in Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, Victoria and NSW with each round consisting of four races, each about 20km.
During 23 years of racing Mr Brown has won the BEARS Australian Championships seven times.
The championships had never been won more than three times by any one competitor before.
Pride in Workmanship: Dr Amanda Brooks
DR Amanda Brooks received the Rotary Pride of Workmanship Award.
Dr Brooks started her working life as a veterinary nurse in Sydney and later took the general nursing certificate at Liverpool Hospital.
After moving to the Wingham area in 1982, Dr Brooks worked at the Manning Base Hospital as a nurse from 1983-1998. After converting the nursing certificate to a degree, Dr Brooks applied as a mature age student to study medicine at Newcastle University, completing training in 2004.
On January 1, 2005 Dr Brooks started work at the Wingham Family Health Clinic as a GP after working as a GP registrar for three terms.
In April 2015 Dr Brooks was diagnosed with breast cancer, requiring surgery and chemotherapy. Whilst receiving treatment she continued to treat the patients and residents of Wingham Court.
Dr Brooks has always been available to members of the local community and no task is said to be too big or too hard.
Young Achiever of the Year: Grace Callaghan and Jai Harrison
THE Rotary Club of Wingham broke with tradition to award a joint award for Young Achiever of the Year.
The award was presented to Grace Gallaghan and Jai Harrison, both 2015 captains of Wingham High School and the performing duo known as Sweet Nothin'.
Well known throughout the community for their music and public performances, they came together in the school production of Cinderella during 2014, later forming their own group and going on to perform at various local venues as well as weddings and other occasions including several Rotary functions.
Both Jai and Grace have been members of the Wingham High School Student Representative Council since year seven.
Jai is 17 years old and whilst his favourite subjects are maths and music, he has received many awards in several subjects over the years.
As an accomplished guitarist and vocalist Jai has enhanced not only the life of the school but been a major contributor to school productions over the last few years.
Grace has participated in the Model United Nations Assembly - a Rotary program to promote public speaking and understanding world affairs.
Grace has made a valued contribution to the vibrance of Wingham High School including volunteering in several fundraising events, reading programs, HSC reading, various charity functions and performing at luncheon venues and school theatrical performances as a vocalist.
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