West Arnhem communities celebrate

The adults having a race in the pool on the inflatable toys.

A number of community events were held across West Arnhem, including Maningrida, Jabiru, Minjilang and Gunbalanya, on Thursday, January 26.
In Maningrida, more than 400 members of the community took part in the event held on Australia Day which featured a great variety of music, culture and sports programs.
Coordinated by West Arnhem Regional Council (WARC) Sport and Recreation, Maningrida GREATS Youth Service and Maningrida Music and Media, the event was a huge community effort and featured pool games, music by local bands, craft stalls, sporting competitions and more.
Meanwhile, youth in Gunbalanya participated in a 3-on-3 basketball competition at the youth hall’s basketball court in the afternoon, and a free barbecue and basketball was also held in Minjilang which was enjoyed by many community members.

Minjilang held a barbecue and basketball on January 26 for the community.

More than 100 people in Jabiru headed to the Alberto Luglietti Memorial Pool on the day to join in the family fun day, hosted by WARC.
The fun-filled morning had plenty on offer for kids and the adults, including races in the pool, egg and spoon and three-legged races, thong throwing as well as a visit from the Jabiru Fire Station with the volunteers bringing out the water hose.
The Local Government Australia Day Awards were also announced by Councillor Anna Egerton and new Councillor Elizabeth Williams, and were followed by a free barbecue lunch supported by Jabiru Foodland.
The Jabiru Golf Club also held an Australia Day Ambrose competition with plenty of people also enjoying the great food, music and cricket.

Locals enjoying the Jabiru Golf Club on Australia Day.

Jabiru Golf Club Manager Peter Keepence said there was a great turn out on the day with good food, activities for the kids and more, while the Jabiru Sports and Social Club also put on a barbecue with great Aussie music playing throughout the day.
West Arnhem Regional Council wished to thank everyone who took part in the events across the region and all of the volunteers on the day.
WARC wishes to thank the Australia Day Council Northern Territory for their support.

West Arnhem Regional Council also wishes to formally recognise and thank a member of the Jabiru community – Ken Jones, Manager, Jabiru Foodland.
Ken is massive asset to the Jabiru community always willing to assist community groups any way he can within his means, getting in last minute orders to ensure people have what they want and donating where possible.
Last week, when an essential order did not arrive for a Council event, Ken went above and beyond and drove to Darwin to pick up the elusive item and have it back in Jabiru ready for pick up the next morning.
We wish to express our sincere thanks to Ken for his commitment to our community.

COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR
For the past seven years Christmas has meant one thing to many local children – The Firey’s Lolly Run.
The excitement builds for hours as kids line the streets of Jabiru listening for the fire truck siren and a glimpse of Santa and Mrs Claus in Santa’s sleigh.
The anticipation is second to none as the convoy of fire trucks, auxiliary vehicles and police escort round the corner signalling the arrival of Santa. It really is a sight to behold.
The Firey’s Lolly Run requires a massive commitment from all involved with the Jabiru Fire Station.

The Jabiru Fire Station’s Christmas Lolly Run won the Community Event of the Year. Geoff Hannah accepted the award on behalf of the organising committee at the station.

YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
The recipient of the 2017 Young Citizen of the Year Jamie Siebert is an active, dedicated member of our community and is a role model to his peers.
This young man has achieved a lot in the last few years.
He is an active member of the Jabiru Fire Station who makes an extra effort to respond to emergency call outs, he has assisted in a road crash rescue demonstration in Gunbalanya and has represented the fire service at numerous events. He is also undertaking a traineeship with ERA.
And incredibly, in 2016 he also became the youngest ever auxiliary fire fighter with the Fire and Rescue Service in the Northern Territory.

The 2017 Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Jamie Siebert, with Leith Waterbury accepted the award from Councillor Elizabeth Williams and Councillor Anna Egerton on his behalf.

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
The 2017 Citizen of the Year, Mike Martin, is a concerned, active, reliable and approachable member of our community who helps anyone, anytime.
No matter the event, cause or time of day, he is always ready to put in his own time to help.
Together with his team, this year’s recipient actively participates in community information days, community safety days, runs free community fire extinguisher training and leads the ANZAC Day March from Jabiru Town Plaza down to Jabiru Lake.
Aside from his role as Leading Fire Fighter at Jabiru Fire Station, Mike also runs fun days for children under 5 at the station letting them get dressed up, ride in the fire truck and spray water as well as run engagement programs with Jabiru Area School Senior Students and Clontarf boys.

The 2017 Citizen of the Year was awarded to Mike Martin. Katrina Bangay accepted the award from Councillor Elizabeth Williams and Councillor Anna Egerton on his behalf.

CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT
Over the years, Joshua Heatlie has continually put his hand up to sit on a number of sporting committees and is a stand out person in the Jabiru community.
He has participated in fire fighting training, has been a proactive committee member of the Alligator Fishing Club, has sat on the Jabiru Sports and Social Club committee for four years running, and has been Chairperson for the last three years.
As club president for the Jabiru Bombers this man is also extremely committed to the continual betterment of the team.
Since his appointment as president, he has implemented a code of conduct with no domestic violence tolerance within the team.
He spends countless hours dealing with NTAFL, players insurance and the resolution of game day issues, always having the best interests of the club and players at heart.

Joshua Heatlie received an Australia Day Achievement Award for his commitment to the community over the years. Di accepted the award for Josh on the day.