Essential Energy Bush Spirit Award WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Gooloogong for ‘War Memorial Extensions’

The Gooloogong War Memorial Hall Renovation and Extensions project was instigated, undertaken and implemented entirely by the local community.  The project involved an extension of the building; new roof, renovation of interior layout, floor, fittings, toilets and external landscaping.  The project was funded by grants and donations and is a model of how a community can help itself.

Warrah Creek for ‘Warrah Creek Hall Refurbishment and Renovation’
The restoration of the Warrah Creek Hall is the result of a many hours of hard work by the local community. Funded in part by a grant, a dedicated group of volunteers raised the hall from the sinking foundations, renovating the kitchen and toilet facilities, repairing the entry vestibule and installing internal doors. There are a range of community groups that use the hall, and representatives from these groups have all been involved in the project.

Henty for ‘Henty’s 125th Birthday Celebrations’
Easter 2011 saw Henty celebrate its 125th anniversary. Over four days more than 2000 people attended events including museum tours, window displays, an art exhibition, street parade, poetry reading, community group displays, talks and tours, concert, church and ANZAC services. A publication on Henty's history 1986-2011 was also produced.  The weekend was planned and run by representatives of a wide section of community groups, organisations and businesses.

Murrurundi for ‘Back to Murrurundi Festival 2010’
The Back to Murrurundi Festival was a celebration of 100 years since the opening of the shale oil mine. 15 months in the planning, the event was designed as a celebration and an opportunity to promote the town of Murrurundi. A community committee was formed and in consultation with all sections of the community, they planned, organised and delivered a very successful festival.

Appin for ‘Appin Bicentary Festival’
In May 2011 Appin township (named in 1811 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie) held a very special & successful event to celebrate its bicentenary.  The community of Appin came together to celebrate with a week of festivities, competitions, fund raising, town improvements & the illustrated celebratory book. The year & a half of planning & organization is as excellent example of the "Bush Spirit" that can be found in small rural communities across NSW.

Kyogle for ‘Celebrating our Community Heroes’
The Bush Spirit nomination for 2011 comprised 3 components which, combined, celebrated the town's Unsung Heroes: (1) the 'Bush Turkey Dance' celebrated the town's community spirit; (2) the Kyogle Rotary club celebrated the contribution of business; (3) an annual Kyogle Tidy Towns 'Unsung Heroes Dinner & Awards Night' culminating in recognition of individuals from the community.

Tilligerry Peninsula for ‘Henderson Park Community Space’
The focus of this project was to unite community groups, then working together to develop open space for events.  Grants from the Department of Social Security and Port Stevens Council have enabled events to be staged at Henderson Park, on the waterfront of Lemon Tree Passage. The Tilligerry Festival has become a major event involving people, businesses and services in the area.

Leeton for ‘JumpStart Community Cottage Development’
Leeton JumpStart raises funds, and then provides financial and practical assistance to support local residents affected by sickness, accident, tragedy or death. The JumpStart Community Cottage has been the most ambitious fundraising venture to date, aiming to auction a complete house and land package. The Cottage has been created by enthusiastic volunteers, the committee, local individuals, businesses, community groups and Leeton Shire Council. After sale the net proceeds will be invested to provide an income stream to provide on-going assistance to those in need.

Griffith for ‘Women Walking 4 Water 4 Food’
Women Walking4Water4Food was an awareness campaign in response to concerns over Government policy and its impact on Murray-Darling Basin. The walk and meeting program encouraged empathy between individuals and groups, and was a cathartic experience for all communities in the region. It established a strength, shared understanding and community cohesion that wasn’t present before. This new-found community spirit will ensuring that the Griffith region can be resilient when faced with future challenges.

East Maitland for ‘Les Darcy Family Vault Restoration Appeal’
The partial collapse of the family vault of boxing legend Les Darcy was the challenge of this project. Heritage and restoration investigations were conducted by council and a plan was developed. A series of fifty bronze plaques have been designed and manufactured for sale at $400 each to be mounted on a step surrounding the Les Darcy Statue. Many people came together from around Australia and America to contribute to this project, including: Descendants of Darcy and his opponents, Maitland Les Darcy Committee, Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame, journalist Peter Fitzsimons, Businesses, the community, Maitland City Council, the State and Federal Government and American supporters.

Tamworth for ‘Ronald McDonald House’
Ronald McDonald House Tamworth is an excellent example of community spirit with volunteers, a major charity, council, local health administrators and businesses combining to achieve a major success in record time.  Located in the grounds of the Tamworth Base Hospital, the house was established to provide a home away from home for families of seriously ill children being treated at hospital. Over 100 volunteers including local builders, tradesmen and others’, managed to build the house in 3 days, the first time one had been constructed in such a short period of time.