Spotlight on Local Australia Day Nominees
Tuesday December 9, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A member of the Griffith Feral Joggers since the mid-1970s who runs with the club every Saturday, rain, hail or shine, and a local soccer club that came back from narrow defeat to win this year have been nominated among others in Griffith City Council’s 2015 Australia Day Awards.
Griffith resident Robert John (Bob) Barker has been nominated in the “Club Person of the Year Award” category for his dedication to the club called Feral Joggers, the name he and another runner came up with many years ago. He has competed in countless competitions and is one of only a handful that has jogged more than 4,000 kms in club competitions.
“I feel honoured and surprised by my nomination. I suppose I have volunteered at various run events over the years but it’s very humbling to be given the recognition,” said Bob, who is married with three children and six grandchildren. “I love running so much so that I have competed and completed over 35 Sydney City to surf competitions.”
Bob is retired now and enjoys several interests outside of running including sailing on Lake Wyangan, painting, and restoring old cars as an active member of the Griffith Car Club.
The Griffith City Over 35s Soccer Team has been nominated in the “Team of the Year” category due to its stellar performance as Premiers of this year’s Griffith Soccer Competition.
Pat Cirillo, current club president and team player, said the club has come a long way from the days when they could barely make the numbers for a team.
“Only 3 years ago we were flat out fielding a team, but in the last two years we were able to rise through the competition to become Minor Premiers last year and Premiers in this year’s competition and we are very proud of playing our best and not giving up,” Pat said.
“It hasn’t always been an easy road as we lost by 1 goal to Yoogali Club in 2013 only to have our revenge this year beating Yoogali by 1 goal! This year the Over 35s also went on to play in the Champions Championship in Sydney where Minor Premiership teams from local competitions across the state compete against each other. We were unfortunately defeated by a Sydney side. Our team is looking forward to a good season in 2015 and we hope we can replicate our good form,” Pat added.
In addition to Pat, the team is comprised of coach and player Paul Burley and Pat Ciampa, Patrick Di Cuffa, Geoff Bortolin, Rodney Bortolin, Matt Kenny, Henry Perez, Rob Weppler, Rob Foskett, Ross Panebianco, Brendan Giason, Miguel Garcia, Scott Keith, Simon Bonetti, Daniel Sotgia, Derek Noske, Shokrollah Mahmoodi and Stanley Chisare, all aged between 35 and 45 years.
Bob Barker and the Griffith City Over 35s Soccer Team are just some of the nominations that have been submitted. Nominations are still open so if you know any locals that work tirelessly for the community, are outstanding sports stars or events that have been a standout, don’t hesitate to nominate them now!
“The Australia Day Awards are about honouring our locals for their outstanding hard work and contributions they make to our Griffith community over the preceding 12 months,” said Councillor Christine Stead, Chairperson of the Australia Day Committee.
“Last year’s Citizen of the Year Winner, Mick Sheehan said he had no idea who nominated him and was honoured to receive the award. Additionally, past nominees have indicated that receiving a nomination brought recognition to the causes they are passionate about and was recognition as much as for themselves as it was for their compatriots working alongside them,” Councillor Stead added.
This year's awards categories are:
• 2014 Junior Citizen Of The Year (Under 17 as at 26/01/15)
• 2014 Young Citizen Of The Year (Under 25 as at 26/01/15)
• 2014 Citizen Of The Year
• 2014 Junior Sportsperson Of The Year (Under 18 as at 26/01/15)
• 2014 Sportsperson Of The Year
• 2014 Team Of The Year
• 2014 Club Person Of The Year
• 2014 Community Event Of The Year
Nomination forms are now available in The Area News until Friday December 19 or on Council’s Website at www.griffith.nsw.gov.au. Residents can fill out nomination forms in The Area News and mail it, along with any supporting documentation, marked “Griffith 2014 Australia Day Nominations”, care of Peta Dummett, Griffith City Council, PO Box 485, Griffith NSW 2680. Or you can email your nominations to australiaday@griffith.nsw.gov.au. If you have any questions or need assistance with nomination forms, please contact Council on 6962 8100.
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