26 January 2017

The Australia Day selection panel for Circular Head has decided to recognise two worthy recipients for the 2017 Citizen of the Year award.

The Australia Day selection panel for Circular Head has decided to recognise two worthy recipients for the 2017 Citizen of the Year award.

Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam announced Patricia (Pat) Joyce and Crighton Horton as joint Citizens of the Year as part of celebrations at the Twilight on the Duck.

Danyon Saville was named as Young Citizen of the Year, while the Womens TRY-athlon and Fun Run 2016 was named as Community Event of the Year.

“Pat has been an ardent supporter of the Circular Head community for many years and is a highly respected community member, while Crighton’s generosity and community spirit is something to be admired,” Mayor Quilliam said.

Pat’s journey in Circular Head commenced as a young teacher were she made an impact on all the students she taught.

“Pat has worked at Forest, Smithton and Edith Creek Primary Schools over her extended teaching career,” Mayor Quilliam said.

“She now volunteers at the Smithton High School assisting students with reading and has also been a volunteer tutor at the Wyndarra Centre.

“Not only has she had an impact as a teacher, but she has also been involved in community organisations like the Soroptimist International of Circular Head, Meals on Wheels and the Tasmanian Sunshine Association, to name a few.”

Crighton Horton, otherwise known as the ‘man behind the microphone’, has been involved with numerous fundraising events over many years.

“When his children required medical support – he and his family organised a family fun day for two years at the Forest Sports Centre as part of Australia Day celebrations and all the proceeds went directly to Ronald McDonald House,” Mayor Quilliam said.

“For their great efforts the family was awarded the Community Event of the Year in 2007 as part of the Australia Day Awards.
“Crighton is still involved with our Australia Day celebrations as our terrific MC for the day and also commentates at the Christmas Parades in Smithton and Stanley.”

Young Citizen of the Year Danyon Saville has volunteered from the age of 12 when he first started helping the Smithton Basketball Club.

Over the past six years he has assisted with setting up prior to games, creating schedules, recording results and statistics, coaching, refereeing, scoring, canteen duty and pack up at the completion of games.

Despite his huge commitment to basketball, Danyon maintained a high level of education, completing his TCE with an impressive ATAR score of 97 in 2015, before taking a gap year in 2016.

“We thank Danyon for his outstanding contribution to the basketball community of Circular Head, North West and the State and we wish him every success as he commences his studies at university in Hobart,” Mayor Quilliam said.

The Women’s TRY-athlon and Fun Run is an event that gives women an achievable goal to aim for. The event is also inclusive, encouraging, positive, non-threatening and fun.

In November 2016, the TRY-athlon committee received the prestigious “Get Moving Tasmania Physical Activity Award” for their event.

“On behalf of the community I wish to thank all the ladies for their commitment to improving the lives of women in Circular Head and beyond, by recognising the importance of physical activity and the ongoing benefits for all,” Mayor Quilliam said.