Australia Day events were held in Timber Creek, Pine Creek and Kalkarindji last Thursday, thanks to grant funding from the Australia Day Council NT.

Award ceremonies were held in Pine Creek and Timber Creek, recognising the people who make their community a better place.

Timber Creek Awards

Citizen of the Year for 2023 was awarded to long-time Timber Creek resident Jan Starr. An employee in VDRC’s aged care department, Jan dedicates most of her spare time to fundraising for Operation Secret Santa- Aged Care NT – a project that provides donated Christmas presents to aged care residents across the NT.

Coralie Myers was awarded Young Citizen of the Year for 2023 for her passion and commitment to events and activities in Timber Creek. Coralie is the chair of the Timber Creek Local Authority group, and over the past two years has taken charge of the Timber Creek Festival.

Community Event of the Year for 2023 was awarded to the Wirib Store and Tourism Park‘s Christmas Party, hosted by Chris and Linda. Chris and Linda are incredibly community-minded and dedicated to the town, throwing an event that everyone could enjoy.

Timber Creek Ward Councillor, Shirley Garlett presented the awards.

Pine Creek awards

In Pine Creek, CJ was named Citizen of the Year for 2023.

A Pine Creek local for many years, CJ is an Aboriginal Health Practitioner at the Top End Health clinic in Pine Creek. He works tirelessly to connect his community with health services, working closely with families to increase health literacy, health checks, and immunisation rates.

He is also heavily involved in community events, meetings, and forums as an advocate and volunteer.

Pine Creek Councillor Yvette Williams and Council Operations Manager Tanya Brown presented the awards.

Bringing the community together

While the awards were the main event for many, celebrations continued across the region.

In Kalkarindji, Council staff cooked up a BBQ feast at the social club, and Gurindji Corporation hosted a cricket tournament for the whole community. And in Pine Creek and Timber Creek, Council staff and volunteers cooked a BBQ, facilitated a gumboot toss competition, face painting, lucky dip prizes, and egg and spoon races.

Volunteers and staff came together on the day to help run the events, which successfully brought together all sides of the communities for a day of celebration, recognition, and community spirit.

VDRC Mayor, B. Pedwell, thanked the Australia Day Council NT for their continued support in recognising the region’s community heroes.