BY ALEX TIGANI
Local leaders John Brooks and Dylan Denley may have an age gap of 60 years.
However, both were equally as humbled on Wednesday morning when announced as the Upper Hunter Shire’s Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year award recipients.
Mr Brooks moved to Scone from Nowra on the horse’s birthday on August 1, 1969.
More than half a century later, he was recognised for his service as chairperson of the Scone Legacy Group.
A member of legacy for 37 years, the 76-year-old still regularly travels to Newcastle for meetings while balancing his duties with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Support Committee.
Ultimately, he is a proud grandfather of ten and received a large round of applause when announced as this year’s recipient.
“I’m humbled by the honour because it is a group effort, it’s all about the team that you have around you,” Mr Brooks explained.
When Dylan Denley was announced as the Aberdeen Young Citizen of the Year, he thought that would be the only time his named would be called out.
Moments later, the Scone High School student added a prestigious Upper Hunter Shire Young Citizen of the Year title to his impressive CV.
“This is a huge honour,” the 17-year-old explained.
“To get one of these was amazing but I really wasn’t expecting to get both of these in all honesty.”
The Upper Hunter Youth Council member had been involved in many events across 2021, most notably a sleep out for youth homelessness awareness.
“I was still living my day-to-day life, going to school and working at Coles but the experience was persevering,” he concluded.
Dr John Paradice also received many cheers when announced as the 52nd recipient of the Hunter McLoughlin Memorial Citizen of the Year award.
Separate ceremonies also took place in Cassilis and Murrurundi later that morning.
FULL LIST OF AWARDS
Aberdeen
Citizen of the Year: Robert Dixon
Young Citizen of the Year: Dylan Denley
Young Achiever of the Year: Ciennah Sullivan
Merriwa
Citizen of the Year: Robert Smith
Young Citizen of the Year: Brodie McMillan
Achiever of the Year: Beatrice Voysey
Achiever of the Year: Sharee Witney
Young Achiever of the Year: Ruby Wong
Sustainability in Business: Merriwa Petroleum & Ag Supplies
Community Group of the Year: Merriwa Pony Club
Murrurundi
Citizen of the Year: Dayna Hynes
Achiever of the Year: Sam Levik
Young Achiever of the Year: Montana Rando
Community Group of the Year: PUSH48
Special Award:
Excellence in Community Service: Doing it for our Farmers Murrurundi
Scone
Citizen of the Year: John Brooks
Young Citizen of the Year: Emily Grainger
Achiever of the Year: Janie Jordan
Young Achiever of the Year: Samuel Barry
Special Awards:
Excellence in Health Services: Dr John Paradice
Excellence in Mental Health Services: Pauline Carrigan
Upper Hunter Shire Australia Day Awards
Upper Hunter Shire Citizen of the Year: John Brooks
Upper Hunter Shire Young Citizen of the Year: Dylan Denley
