For more than 50 years Edna Sharp brought food to some of the most vulnerable and isolated residents in Orange.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Saturday Mrs Sharp’s efforts were recognised when she was named the Orange Citizen of the Year at the Orange Australia Day Ceremony at Cook Park.
Mrs Sharp was supported by eager family and friends and said she has volunteered with Meals on Wheels since it started in Orange in 1963.
“It was something that was going to help those people who are struggling and cannot get their own meals,” she said.
Mrs Sharp said she enjoyed keeping people healthy and making new friends and she made lots of friends in the beginning when she brought food to people on a daily basis before meals began to be delivered one week at a time.
Dr Louis Christie was also recognised for his work as the only palliative care specialist in Orange.
Up and coming referee Billy Greatbatch was announced as the Young Citizen of the Year.
Billy wasn’t able to attend the ceremony but was noted for his referee work with mayor Reg Kidd saying he was the youngest rugby league referee in Australia and has refereed in the USA and England.
Junior Citizen of the Year nominees Oliver Garard, Jack Larsen and Caitlyn Harvey also won awards.
Colton Computer Technologies won the Business Philanthropy award for helping groups including Ronald McDonald House with their technology needs while other nominees were former Scrumptious Cafe owners Suzy and Max Glasby and Orange City Life.
Ronald McDonald House Orange volunteer group was named Community Group of the Year for its work helping the families of sick children and Orange Push for Palliative was also nominated.
The Orange Public School P and C Orange Open Gardens won Community Event of the Year with the Redhead Hunt 4HD also nominated.
Other Citizen of the year nominees were Rebecca Ferguson, Robert Drage, Nerida Noon, Bill and Jane Fairgrieve, Bob and Dorothy Hoye and Patricia Downey.
Other Junior Citizen of the Year nominees were Taleise Pickavance, Erika Lindsay, Dosh Dargin-Carr, Jake Clark, Grave McRae, Erick Cortes and Ashley Hudson.
Orange Australia Day Community Committee chairwoman Katherine Tollner was pleased with the attendance and said it was the largest crowd she has seen gather for the formal ceremony and said it was most likely due to having Catriona Rowntree as this year’s ambassador.
Money raised at this year’s Australia Day festivities will go towards supporting the Inner Wheel Club of Orange .
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE NEWS?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...