Anti-Amalgamation campaigners receive Molong Australia Day Awards

Former Cabonne Mayor Ian Gosper, the public face of the council’s fight against amalgamation, and the community group that led the grass roots campaign have been honoured with Australia Day awards.

Ian Gosper was named Molong’s Citizen of the Year at Australia Day celebrations in the village while the ANTY (Amalgamation No Thank You) Committee received the award for Community Group of the Year.

Ian Gosper, who decided not to seek re-election last September after nine years on the council, was one of the highest profile participants in the successful battle to stave off a proposed merger with Orange City and Blayney Councils.

He said at the time that the NSW Government’s decision not to proceed with the merger was a great victory for local democracy and vindicated the council’s stand against the forced amalgamation and the subsequent legal action Cabonne Council took.

Ian also said the successful battle could not have been achieved without the unwavering support of the Cabonne community, particularly the ANTY Committee which waged a high profile campaign.

During Ian Gosper’s four years as Mayor and two as Deputy Mayor, Cabonne Council experienced a period of strong growth and achievements, including:
• $91.5m worth of roadworks and new bridges;
• Completion of the $18m Four Towns Sewerage Scheme;
• Completion of $16.6m Stage 1 of a pipeline to provide potable drinking water to Cumnock and Yeoval;
• $2.2m redevelopment of Canowindra Swimming Pool;
• Completion of Stage 1 of $1m Molong multi-purpose synthetic sports field;
• $661,000 towards the construction of new Rural Fire Service sheds; and
• $376,000 in Community Assistance Grants to help not-for-profit groups with community projects.

On a hectic day of community celebrations in Cabonne, Australia Day ceremonies were also held in Canowindra, Cargo, Cudal, Cumnock, Eugowra, Manildra, Mullion Creek, Nashdale and Yeoval.

At Mullion Creek, another former councillor and prominent local resident Janelle Culverson was named Citizen of the Year.

The full list of Cabonne Australia Day awards recipients is:
Borenore/Nashdale: Citizen of the Year – Vandre Ingham; Community Group of the Year – Nashdale CWA.
Canowindra: Citizen of the Year – Michael Harrison; Young Citizen of the Year – Joanna Balcombe; Community Group of the Year – Canowindra Challenge Inc.
Cargo: Citizen of the Year – Beverley Sargent; Community Group of the Year – Cargo Rugby League Club.
Cudal: Citizen of the Year – Cath Kearney; Young Citizen of the Year – Bronte Chown; Community Group of the Year – Cudal Soccer Club.
Cumnock: Citizen of the Year – Kerrie Christie; Community Group of the Year – Cumnock Public School Crunch and Sip Volunteers.
Eugowra: Citizen of the Year – Viv McMillan; Young Citizen of the Year – Britney Dukes; Community Group of the Year – Eugowra Community Biggest Morning Tea Group.
Manildra: Young Citizen of the Year – Zac Reimer; Community Group of the Year – Manildra Men’s Shed.
Molong: Citizen of the Year – Ian Gosper; Young Citizen of the Year – Sarah Hobbs; Community Group of the Year – ANTY Committee.
Mullion Creek: Citizen of the Year – Janelle Culverson; Young Citizen of the Year – Sophie Gorman; Community Group of the Year – Mullion Creek & District Progress Association.
Yeoval: Citizen of the Year – Nikki Tremain-Hennock; Young Citizen of the Year – Blake Cameron; Community Group of the Year – Little River Landcare Group Inc.