Awards are available in these categories:
- Citizen of the Year
- Junior Citizen of the Year
- Sportsperson of the Year
- Junior Sportsperson of the Year
- Sporting Team of the Year
- Event/Club of the Year
Awards are presented at the Australia Day ceremony on 26 January each year.
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR - SHAUN ROCHE
Shaun has been involved with Darlington Point Coleambally Apex for a number of years and has been involved in the Riverina Classic Fishing Competition since it began over ten years ago, most of that time as President. Since their inception in 2014 they have donated over $200,000 to various local charity groups and released more than 80,000 fingerlings into the Murrumbidgee River. In 2024 they donated $20,000 for Rural Outreach Counselling. For the past five years the organisers have partnered with Rural Outreach Counselling to support their work with rural families. All the Committee members are also engaged in the Outreach’s Mate Keeper program. Shaun is a great advocate for the program and any mental health initiatives. He has sponsored many local charity events and is always willing to help any organisation in our area. He was also instrumental in the work behind the scenes to achieve the new boat ramp in Darlington Point.
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR - ISABELLA FELTHAM
Isabella was the 2024 Darlington Point School Captain who is always helping others and showing care and kindness. During 2024 Isabella showed many positive attributes making her an ideal candidate for the 2024 Junior Citizen. They include displaying great leadership skills in her role as Darlington Point Captain and showing a strong performance as a member of the school debating team. Isabella also had a successful sporting year competing at Zone cross country and athletics carnivals and also playing with commitment and determination for the Under 11s Yenda Blueheelers.
JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR - MIA HONEYMAN
Mia is a dedicated and enthusiastic dancer who has acquired many achievements throughout the year. Mia has been nominated for Junior Sportsperson for her dedication and success in dancing. This year Mia competed in 14 competitions in NSW and Victoria with her 3 routines of various styles of tap. Mia competed in not only her age group of Under 10’s, but also in older groups up to Under 16’s. Mia was rewarded for all her hard work of training every day by receiving 17 first places, 7 second, 8 third, 2 very highly commended and 7 highly commended. She has also been entered into the running for tapping for Australia in the Australian tap team that will compete in Prague in 2025 where she has made it into Stage 3. She is a member of SDS Griffith – Shannon’s Dance Studio and studies ballet, jazz and lyrical as well as tap.
SPORTING TEAM OF THE YEAR - DARLINGTON POINT/COLEAMBALLY RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB 1ST GRADE TEAM
The Darlington Point Coleambally RLFC First Grade Team has been a consistent and successful side winning the Group 20 First Grade premiership in 2019, finishing runners-up in 2022 and 2023 before winning the Premiership again in 2024.
The DPCRLFC First Grade side was successful in winning the Group 20 premiership against Griffith Black and Whites by the largest winning margin in Group 20 history. The team finished the normal season as minor premiers before an impressive finals campaign. A great accomplishment as the team was plagued by multiple injuries during the season. The Club also celebrated their 50th Anniversary during the year – a momentous milestone for the Club incorporating the history and strength between the two towns.
EVENT/GROUP ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR - DARLINGTON POINT PUBLIC SCHOOL P&C
The Darlington Point Public School P&C is a little tribe of committed parents and helpers who volunteer and organise events and fundraising for the Darlington Point Public School community. The main focus for the P&C during 2024 was to get all the kids from Years 5/6 to Sydney for their excursion – and that they did. They were successful in receiving a $3000 grant from Murrumbidgee Council and the Easter raffle gave them a profit of $1500. The trusty Canteen Catering crew were at it again, catering for 3 carnivals in Griffith giving them a profit of $3408 and finally their very successful and fun-filled trivia night, including the night itself, the raffle and all of their sponsors bought in $4,680.50. This gave them a total of $17,588. This was a great effort for such a small band of volunteers and their fundraising efforts were certainly appreciated by the parents and students of Years 5/6
2024 recipients
Citizen of the Year - Troy Heath
Troy is regularly seen manning the BBQ at many events in Darlington Point. He was Darlington Point Public School P&C “Volunteer of the Year” helping with many fundraising activities, including sporting carnivals at both the school and zone levels, the school fete, Spring Festival – both for P&C and the Rural Fire Service. Troy has also volunteered to cook at Junior and Senior Rugby League games including the Group 20 Grand Final. He is also part of the “Support Crew” for the Riverina Redneck Rally raising funds for Country Hope and is always willing to assist whenever he is asked. Troy is the Darlington Point Fire Brigade Group Officer, regularly attending fires, using his management and chainsaw skills to assist his community. As well as fires he has also been called out to many traffic accidents during the year, which at times have included fatalities – these incidents are tragic for all involved. Troy is also an advocate for RFS members all across the district as a representative of the Rural Fire Service Association.
Young Citizen of the Year - Jharal Coe
Jharal was Vice Captain of Darlington Point Public School in 2023 and represented the school on many occasions, delivering the Acknowledgement of Country in Wiradjuri language at many of these official events. As a member of the Marrambidya Dance Group, he performed at many events including NAIDOC celebrations, schools and the Waddi Cultural Centre opening. The group won the NSW Youth Action “Outstanding Work with First Nations Young People” Award at the Australian Theatre for Young People in Sydney in October. Jharal also plays Junior Rugby League for Coleambally/Darlington Point, represented Darlington Point Public School at Mortimer Shield and was selected in the Zone touch football team.
Junior Sportsperson of the Year - Zavian Miles
2023 proved to be a very successful sporting year for Zavian. His list of achievements include representing Riverina at the State Championships for Rugby League and Rugby Union, representing Griffith for Riverina Touch Football in Albury and being selected to play touch football for Leeton Lightnings. Jm. Zavian was also the leading try scorer and was awarded best all-rounder for Coleambally/Darlington Point Roosters, received the encouragement award for Leeton Phantoms Rugby Union and was the Darlington Point Public School age champion for swimming, athletics and cross country. A true all-round sportsman.
Event/Group Achievement of the Year - Darlington Point Rural Fire Brigade
The Darlington Point Rural Fire Brigade have in addition to their tireless commitment to responding to all types of fires, vehicle accidents and other emergencies, provided a very special service to the children of our town over several decades. On Christmas Eve 2023, Santa and his helpers delivered bags of lollies and festive cheer to all the children of Darlington Point. This service has become a tradition for many families in our town and has been carried on and enjoyed from one generation to the next for many years. Members of the Darlington Point Rural Fire Brigade continue to take time out of their busy Christmas schedules to give back to the community and children of our town.
Citizen of the Year: Robert Gumbleton
Robert is a volunteer community transport driver and has been for well over 10 years. Robert goes above and beyond as a volunteer and is always helping the clients in other ways, including shopping for them and checking on their welfare. Robert started volunteering for Murrumbidgee Council Community Transport many years ago and has been the mainstay of the service. The service was transitioned from Council to Valmar Support Services and Robert has continued to volunteer for the new service, travelling thousands of kilometres each year to deliver clients to Griffith, Wagga and Albury for appointments. Nothing is ever too much trouble for Robert, he is happy to wait hours for people as he takes them from one appointment to another, helps them with their shopping and anything else they need. The service lost many volunteers with the change and also during COVID but Robert has continued to volunteer all this time and he is loved and respected by all those he assists.
Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Ivana-Rose Lawson
In 2022 Ivana represented Darlington Point Public School in zone and Riverina cross country, she represented in zone athletics, was zone under 11’s champion and qualified for Riverina. She has played NRL in school teams competing in Griffith and has participated in soccer gala days. Ivana was captain of the CDP Roosters under 11’s League tag and received the Coaches Award in netball playing for the Coly Blues Under 11’s. She is also involved in Little Athletics, swimming – making it to zone level and was DPPS age champion in athletics and cross country. Ivy is a team player and is always encouraging others to achieve their goals. She puts 110% into everything she does.
Event/Group Achievement of the Year: Darlington Point Riverina Classic Catch & Release Fishing Competition
The Riverina Classic Fishing Competition raised $20,000 for Rural Outreach Counselling and released 5,000 fingerlings into the river in 2022, with 539 entrants in the event. The Competition will celebrate 10 years in 2023. Over $170,000 has been raised for local charities in this time and over 65,000 fingerlings have been released. The competition is now 100% photo entry, catch and release and has held DPI accreditation for many years. For the past four years the organisers have partnered with Rural Outreach Counselling to support their work with rural families. All the Committee members are also engaged in the Outreach’s mate Keeper program. The Competition organisers like to promote sustainable fishing practices as well as good mental health and what to do if you need help.
Citizen of the Year: Gavin Gilbert
Gavin has been involved in organising the Riverina Redneck Rally since 2017, which has to date raised $1.5 million for Country Hope. He was also the main organiser of the Redneck River Run, with this year’s event raising another $7,460 for Country Hope. Along with his wife, Tammy, he spends months of each year organising these events, which are not only a source of valuable funds for Country Hope, but also build friendships and comradery.
Young Citizen of the Year: Armani Coe
Armani was captain of Darlington Point Public School in 2021 and represented the school on many occasions, delivering the Acknowledgement of Country in Wiradjuri language at many official duties. Her achievements also include representing the school in many sporting events, the debating team and receiving the prestigious Citizenship Award for 2021. Her respectful and happy nature made her a great ambassador for the school and town.
Young Sportsperson of the Year: Tamsin Hughes
Tamsin played in the Darlington Point/Coleambally League Tag team and in her first year was awarded Best and Fairest. She was also the leading try scorer for the team, as well as equal fourth try-scorer and equal fifth point scorer in Group 20. She is an all-round sports person who has participated in representative swimming, touch football and league tag.
Acknowledgement of Dedication and Services to the Community: Phillip Wells
Phil was a Councillor on the former Murrumbidgee Shire Council since 1999 and then Murrumbidgee Council since the merger in 2016. After serving the community in this role for over 22 years, he chose not to stand at the recent local government elections. Phil has always worked hard to promote and advocate for the town of Darlington Point and the Council area. He was Mayor of Murrumbidgee Shire Council from 2004-2014 and served as Deputy Mayor in 2000-2004 and 2015-2016. He represented Council on many committees, both with Council and the region. He has been involved in several businesses in Darlington Point and is a well-respected member of the community.
- Citizen of the Year: Tegan Volleberg and Annie Mitchell (joint winners)
- Young Citizen of the Year: Shania Hughes
- Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Thomas Fattore
- Sporting Team of the Year: Darlington Point/Coleambally First Grade Rugby League Team
- Event/Group Achievement of the Year: 2RG Sunshine Club – Darlington Point Branch
There were no nominations for the 2019 Darlington Point Australia Day Awards.