WHAT better way to celebrate Australia Day than to recognise a few of the many people that help make this country a “you beaut” place? The region’s Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year winners will be announced in Berrima on Saturday.
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Marie Hodgson, Rick McCarthy and Allen Cupitt were nominated for the Citizen of the Year category, while Monique Bastin, Emma Dunn, Erica Longhurst, Pollie Miller, Will Murton and Olym Zhang were nominated in the Young Citizen of the Year category for under-25-year-olds. Marie Hodgson was nominated for more than 70 years of service to the Highlands.
She served in the Australian Women’s Army Service, taught at technical colleges and some Highlands schools and helped with the Uniting Church.
Ms Hodgson also volunteered with a number of community organisations including Moss Vale Girl Guides, Meals on Wheels, Probus, Moss Vale Horticultural Society and Wingecarribee Council’s Seniors Advisory Committee.
She said “hating housework” was her main motivation for becoming so involved with the Highlands community and she was thankful for the nomination. Rick McCarthy has been involved in community life in the Highlands for many years and at times his contribution has extended internationally.
Mr McCarthy is well known for his volunteer work with the Leukaemia Aid Foundation, Rotary Club of Bowral-Mittagong, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Northern Districts Cricket Association and Tahmoor Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade.
He has been part of Bowral Swimming Club and Southern Highlands Vietnam Veterans Association as well as Berrima and Macarthur Legacy and the Movement Disorder Foundation.
As part of the Bradman Foundation, Mr McCarthy’s work has been instrumental in the Dream Cricket Day program for disadvantaged children.
He also spent five months in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, after the 2004 tsunami establishing an orphanage and teaching English to children in partnership with Youth Off The Streets.
Mr McCarthy said he was honoured and surprised to be nominated for the award.
“I’ve had a pretty good life to start off with and I think the driving force is the smiles on the kids’ faces,” he said.
Allen Cupitt was nominated for his volunteering work with organisations including Berrima District Rotary, Highlands Community Centres, as president of Southern Highlands Youth Arts Council (SHYAC) and board member of Berrima District Credit Union.
“It’s just nice to be able to help build a stronger community for the future and it’s an example to others of the possibility that to do work and give is very rewarding,” Mr Cupitt said.
His Highlands-based internet company Acenet has also provided internet to many of the region’s schools as well as discounted internet services to many community organisations.
“I think most people are very generous, often they’re just looking for an opportunity.”
