Each year, through their Australia Day Awards, the Lachlan Shire recognises the individuals and groups that make an impact within their communities and celebrate what it means to be Australian. 

This year, during the morning ceremony which was held on the foreshore of the stunning Lake Cargelligo at the Sail and Power Boat Club, some of the Lachlan Shire's finest were recognised for their exceptional contribution and outstanding service to their local communities. 

It was with full hearts, and stomachs thanks to the free community breakfast on offer, that the Lachlan Shire Mayor, Cr John Medcalf announced the Australia Day Award recipients, with Australia Day Ambassador Donna Burton presenting them. 

The Lachlan Shire award winners include: 

• Dr Khaled Bardawill - Lachlan Shire's Citizen of the Year for 2022, 
• Sue Nicholls - Local Australia Day Award 2022 
• Dylan Bendall - Sportsperson of the year 2022. 

At Tullibigeal, the Progress Association hosted a free community lunch event, featuring an Australia Day address by Donna Burton, as well as the presentation of the awards for Junior Citizen of the year and Volunteer of the year.  

The Tullibigeal Australia Day Award winners included: 

• Damon Imrie - Junior Citizen of the Year 
• Holly Ireland and Telea Imrie - Volunteer of the year. 

Later in the evening, Tottenham announced their Australia Day Awards at the Tottenham Memorial Swimming Pool, with Sue Nicholls and Geoff Chase presenting them 

The Tottenham Australia Day Award winners included: 

• Jenny Day – Local Citizen of the year 
• Clancy McCauley – Local Young Citizen of the year 
• Judy Rigney – Local Community Service Award  
• Tottenham Picnic Race Club – Local Community Event of the year Award. 

"The awards recognise the exceptional contributions, hard work and determination of individuals, groups and organisations in making a positive difference in our Shire," said Mayor Metcalf. 

"On behalf of the Council and the community, I would like to extend my congratulations to Dr Khaled, Sue and Dylan. I would also like to congratulate all award nominees for their incredible contributions and commitment to making our Shire a great place to live.” 

Mayor Medcalf applauded the innovative Australia Day activities planned by communities across the shire and thanked the many event organisers who worked hard to coordinate activities and bring the day together under the continuing COVID-19 restrictions. 

The Lachlan Shire's Australia Day activities included free entry to the pools in Lake Cargelligo, Condobolin and Tottenham, free BBQs, relay races and an action mackec program at Mayfield Hotel and the Burcher Hotel. 

A highlight of the day was having the Federal Member for Parkes, the Hon. Mark Coulton MP, joining in on the celebrations at Lake Cargelligo before visiting the Lake Cargelligo Memorial Swimming Pool for the official opening of the new amenities block. 

Everyone was extremely pleased to have Australia Day Ambassador Donna Burton speak at various ceremonies throughout the Lachlan Shire, her stories being the cherry on top of a great day. 

Donna Burton, affectionately known as Donna the Astronomer, is a bush-bred astronomer and science communicator who is passionate about astronomy, making it her life's work. 

Dedicated to engaging people in the wonder and mystery of the night sky, Donna was thrilled to be able to travel through the Lachlan Shire for Australia Day, delivering her Ambassador's address at Lake Cargelligo, Condobolin, Tullibigeal and Burcher. 

"At the Australia Day ceremonies I spoke about my story, as well as what I think it means to be Aussie. I'm a drovers kid, so I didn't have the parentage or background that would of allowed me to easily pursue my love for the sky. I came into it all the back way, through pig headedness and stubbornness, I guess that’s the Australian way," said Donna. 

"I grew up in love with the sky, but I didn't know you could do it as a career until I got a my first astronomy job at Sighting Spring. Before that though it was mostly circumstance and right place right time sort of stuff that lead to me meeting people who showed I could actually study astronomy and pursue it." 

Over her career Donna has achieved many things, from being recognised by NASA in 2010 for being the first Australian woman to discover two comets, to sharing her love of astronomy with younger generations and seeing them go on to achieve their goals. 

"I have young people who I've employed because I like them, I like their answers to my questions and their passion. Everyone knows everyone in small towns and sometimes it is hard for people to get ahead due to their families or their backgrounds," said Donna. 

"Giving people the same chance that I got - because no one would have thought a drover's daughter would end up where I have – that's what I aim to do. Because if I can do it anybody can, that's my message, don't allow yourself to be limited by anything." 

Donna currently works out of the Milroy Observatory in Coonabarabran, sharing her knowledge and ancient stories of the sky to inspire and enthuse audiences everywhere. 

"I'm from the bush, so I can relate to the people and the people can relate to me," said Donna. 

"We all share the same sky and no matter where or who we are – we can go out at night and know that others are looking up at the same wonders." Said Donna. 

She digresses that she didn't know what she was in for when visiting the Lachlan Shire and was pleasantly surprised by the area and the communities. 

Donna said she was especially excited about the lake, "I got treated to a speed boat ride around the lake, it was my first time in a speedboat." 

"I didn't really have any expectations going in as this was my first time as an Australia Day Ambassador, but I loved it, I love the people," said Donna. 

"It's a bit overwhelming, but with country people you can just be yourself, you don’t have to dress up to fit in and everybody, from the award winners, to the Mayor and Mark Coulton, were all so welcoming. I had a ball."