Teacher is top citizen
Former teacher Ian Wright has won recognition for ‘the depth and breadth of his commitment to the community for more than 50 years’ as Warracknabeal district’s citizen of the year.
Officials announced Mr Wright and other award winners at Australia Day celebrations at Warracknabeal’s Anzac Park.
Mr Wright has devoted time to education as a teacher and assistant principal and has been an honorary auditor for many clubs and organisations and elder and lay preacher with Warracknabeal Uniting Church.
He started his teaching career at Mansfield and arrived at Warracknabeal High School in 1973, where he remained, except for a short posting in Dimboola, until his retirement in 2008.
He chaired a kindergarten committee in the early 1980s, was a committee member and president of scouts and cubs and an inaugural member of a chaplaincy committee which introduced a chaplain to Warrackanbeal Secondary College .
On his retirement he became more widely involved in the Warracknabeal and District Historical Society, where he is now committee president.
Australian Scout Award 2021 recipient Cody Polack, 14 is Warracknabeal and district’s young achiever of the year.
Cody is a member of Warracknabeal band and fire brigade, a member of the Warracknabeal Secondary College, student representative and shire youth action councils.
Julianne Phelan is the district’s sportsperson of the year, having played, coached andor taken on many executive
positions in several sports and clubs.
She has made lasting contributions to the Warrack Eagles Football and Netball Club and Warracknabeal Swimming Club.
An Australia Day breakfast attracted more than 200 people and Charlie Johnson, co-founder
of Jono and Johno stores, was guest speaker.
Musical performer Darren Wardle, originally from Brim, also shared songs and stories from his years in the Kimberly.
Rotary Club of Warracknabeal organised the Australia Day event.
• More, page 23.