When NSW Parliament resumed sitting last week, Member for Barwon Roy Butler used the floor of the Legislative Assembly to do something that rarely makes headlines, but matters deeply to regional communities.

Through a series of Community Recognition Statements, Mr Butler publicly acknowledged the achievements of locals from across the Western Plains, placing their stories permanently on the parliamentary record.

Community Recognition Statements are a formal part of parliamentary proceedings, allowing MPs to recognise individuals, groups or organisations from their electorate.

While they don’t involve debate or legislation, they ensure local achievements are officially recorded in Hansard - the historical transcript of Parliament - and acknowledged at the highest level of state government.

Among those recognised was Coonabarabran local Deanne Britton, who was recently named Employee of the Year at the Community Transport Organisation’s Engage 2025 Conference.

Mr Butler told Parliament Ms Britton’s award was “a fitting acknowledgement of her dedication and impact,” noting her more than 20 years of service to the Warrumbungle community.

He highlighted her leadership through major sector reforms, natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, and her role in ensuring vital services including community transport, Meals on Wheels, respite care and social support remained available to more than 800 local clients.

Warrumbungle Community Care Supervisor Deanne Britton receiving the David Cooley Employee of the Year Award at the CTO Engage 2025 Conference Gala Dinner in Orange, pictured with colleague Jillisa Harris and Clara Cosgrove (Warren Community Transport)

Ms Britton currently oversees 14 staff and more than 190 volunteers and has helped deliver multiple award-winning programs focused on service innovation and volunteer engagement.

Mr Butler also paid tribute to the Coonabarabran Times, marking the publication of its final edition after almost a century in print.

“For 98 years, the Coonabarabran Times served its community with dedication and integrity,” Mr Butler said.

“Local newspapers are more than just print on a page, they connect neighbours, support local businesses, champion community groups, and ensure regional stories are seen, heard and remembered.”

The final editions of the Coonabarabran Times in December 2025. [IMAGE: Coonabarabran Times]

He acknowledged the work of generations of journalists, editors, printers, distributors and contributors, describing the paper’s legacy as one that would endure long after its final edition.

Further west, Mr Butler recognised Warren Potent OLY JP, who has been appointed Warren Shire’s 2026 Australia Day Ambassador.

Mr Potent represented Australia at five Olympic Games and secured a bronze medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, but Mr Butler told Parliament his contribution went far beyond elite sport.

“A Justice of the Peace since 1990, he has devoted decades to mentoring young athletes, supporting Australia’s elite rifle teams and volunteering to help young people build confidence and pathways into employment,” he said.

Mr Butler said Mr Potent would be “an inspiring presence” at Australia Day celebrations and a fitting ambassador for the values recognised on the national day.

Young people also featured prominently in the statements, including Lilly Deppeler, a Cobar student who recently led a community petition calling for desilting and repairs at Cobar’s ‘Old Res’ reservoir.

Mr Butler praised Lilly’s initiative, noting she personally spent two months collecting more than 500 signatures from her school, local businesses and the wider community before presenting the petition to council.

“This kind of initiative should be applauded,” he said.

“It is a wonderful example of a young person taking a genuine interest in community wellbeing and the democratic process.”

Another young Western Plains voice recognised was Jonah Grimshaw from Condobolin High School, who was named runner-up in the 2025 State Final Regional Public Speaking Competition, held at Parliament House.

Mr Butler said he was impressed by Jonah’s confidence, maturity and storytelling ability, particularly the way he drew on his experiences of growing up in the West.

“His dedication, curiosity and care for the bigger picture, including our democratic process, should be applauded,” he said.

While Community Recognition Statements don’t change laws or budgets, they play an important role for regional electorates like Barwon, where achievements can easily go unnoticed outside their local area.

By placing these stories on the parliamentary record, Mr Butler ensured that the people, organisations and young leaders shaping Western Plains communities were formally acknowledged, not just at home, but in the heart of state government.