2024 Australia Day Award Finalists
2024 Citizen of the Year - Annette St Clair
Annette has shown unwavering commitment to the medical profession, along with exceptional contributions to the community. Annette worked as a registered nurse at Wagga Base Hospital for 29 years before joining Peter Street Medical as a Practice Nurse.
In 2010, Annette formed the Amie St Clair Melanoma Trust in memory of her daughter who lost her battle with the disease at an early age. Annette has been an active volunteer with the Cancer Council for over 10 years, where her enthusiasm and passionate nature has made her a wonderful advocate in the local community. Annette also dedicates her time to participating and organising many community initiatives including a Free Community Skin Check Day, Student Ambassador Day, Saturday Morning Disabled Bowling, Relay for Life, St Paul’s Youth Group, and the highly successful ‘Living Well After Cancer’ workshops which has assisted local carers and survivors.
Previous Citizen of the Year recipients
| Year | Recipient Name |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Aunty Isabel Reid |
| 2015 | Kerry Geale |
| 2016 | Joe Williams |
| 2017 | Dianne Jacobson |
| 2018 | Phil Hoey |
| 2019 | Alan Lean |
| 2020 | Lynne Graham |
| 2021 | Belinda Crain |
| 2022 | Deidre Tome |
| 2023 | Alan Pottie |
| 2024 |
2024 Young Citizen of the Year - Angus Smith
Angus is described as an expectational young person who has contributed so much to the local community and state. He is passionate about politics, human rights, and the role of young people in democracy. He presents himself as a reliable, considerate, and compassionate individual who serves as an inspiration for other young people. Angus was Service Captain for The Riverina Anglican College 2023, and upon graduating, he was awarded the College Blue Color Award in Leadership. In 2023, Angus was selected as the Y NSW Youth Parliamentarian, and he was awarded the Youth Shadow Minister for Transport & Infrastructure representing the electorate of Wagga. He attended the Future23 National Conference in Canberra where he represented youth in regional areas. Angus was also actively involved as a team leader in the YES23 campaign, working tirelessly to facilitate social media and communication.
Previous Young Citizen of the Year recipients
| Year | Recipient Name |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Angela Burns |
| 2015 | Sally Tanner |
| 2016 | Hannah Kempton |
| 2017 | Isobel Cowell |
| 2018 | Francis Elliot-Rudder |
| 2019 | Matthew Lennon |
| 2020 | Meghan Graham |
| 2021 | Clare Lawlor |
| 2022 | Chloe Hinds |
| 2023 | Maimuna Zaman |
| 2024 | Angus Smith |
The Baylis Street Walk of Honour was instigated in 1998 to recognise substantial contributors to the City of Wagga Wagga
The award forms part of Council's Australia Day Awards - confirming Council's belief in the importance of recognising those members of our community who have given so much of themselves to our city.
Nominations open in conjunction with the Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Ted Ryder Sports Memorial awards in the second half of the year and the winners are announced on Australia Day.
View the Walk of Honour Plaque locations
2024 Walk of Honour Inductee - Peter Cox
The late Peter Cox is described as an exemplary figure within their community, embodying the spirit of inspiration and selfless dedication. Peter’s impact on our community is immeasurable, he dedicated over 30 years to supporting, encouraging, and providing opportunities for countless individuals in the arts. His creative endeavors include writing, directing, producing, and leading numerous projects. His prolific work in film, stage and the teaching profession have nurtured countless talents and fostered a thriving arts scene in the Riverina. His feature films "Backyard Ashes" and "The Merger" have displayed the essence of Wagga to audiences worldwide. On stage, Peter directed and produced many musical tribute acts, stage productions, and interactive performances that nourished the talents of many local performers.
Previous Walk of Honour recipients
| Year | Recipient Name |
|---|---|
| 1998 | Ada Beatrice Webb |
| 1998 | Cedric Thomas |
| 1998 | William and Amy Hurd |
| 1998 | Robert John Hurst |
| 1998 | Henry Angel |
| 1998 | Edna Busse |
| 1998 | John Hurst Edmonson |
| 1998 | Yvonne Elsie-May Gilchrist |
| 1998 | Albert Louis Burgman |
| 1998 | Jane Lindsay Scott |
| 1999 | Donald Moreton Kendell |
| 1999 | Trixie and Margaret Read |
| 1999 | Colin Campbell Knott |
| 1999 | John Ansell |
| 1999 | Henry Ernest and Morris Henry Gissing |
| 1999 | Edgar Hugh Graham |
| 1999 | Carol Moffit |
| 1999 | Leyton Selwyn "Don" Joyes |
| 1999 | Rosina Mary Grosse |
| 2002 | William George Fitzroy Huthwaite |
| 2003 | Dr Bruce William Harding |
| 2004 | Robert Lancaster Brunskill |
| 2005 | Cyril Jones |
| 2006 | George Hilton Brown |
| 2008 | Brian and Joy Kahlefeldt |
| 2009 | Michael Kennedy OAM |
| 2010 | Brian Gerald Kennedy |
| 2011 | Bill Kerr |
| 2012 | Marguerite (Madge) Wallace |
| 2013 | June Dunn |
| 2014 | Marie & Dr William Thompson |
| 2015 | Henry "Arthur" Nixon |
| 2016 | John Brasier |
| 2017 | Jim Elphick |
| 2018 | - |
| 2019 | Cecil 'Bob' Scott |
| 2020 | John Mason |
| 2021 | Bill Jacob |
| 2022 | Richard 'Dick' Green |
| 2023 | Aunty Isabel Reid and Aunty Kath Withers |
| 2024 | Peter Cox |
Previous Ted Ryder Sports Memorial recipients
| Year | Recipient Name |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Steven Kimball |
| 2017 | Anthony Paul |
| 2018 | Peter Lloyd |
| 2019 | - |
| 2020 | Geoffrey Jacobson |
| 2021 | - |
| 2022 | Brian Robinson |
| 2023 | Henri Moreels |
| 2024 | - |
2024 Environmental Citizen of the Year - Demonstration Gardens Wagga Wagga
For over 23 years, Jim Rees and Canny Kinloch have been instrumental figures in the formation and growth of Wagga Wagga’s Demonstration Gardens in Shaw Street. The Wagga Wagga Demonstration Gardens is an open and inviting community garden where locals can visit, connect and learn through the demonstration of gardening techniques, landscaping and more.
Jim and Canny provide a warm welcome to all corners, particularly those who are new to Wagga Wagga and love to share their wealth of knowledge with all community members. They dedicate their time to teaching new skills and championing community spirit. They both exhibit compassion and understanding when discussing how to make small environmental changes.
Previous Environmental Citizen of the Year recipients
| Year | Recipient Name |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Ben Holt |
| 2021 | Edward Maher |
| 2022 | Rotary Club of South Wagga Wagga |
| 2023 | ErinEarth |
| 2024 | Demonstration Gardens Wagga Wagga |