Refugee advocate PIP WATERS named Orange Citizen of the Year award.

A strong commitment to supporting Ukrainian refugees seeking to settle in the Central West has earned Pip Waters the Australia Day 2023 Orange Citizen of the Year award.

Presented in Cook Park on Australia Day, Pip was recognised for her tireless dedication and generosity in providing a safe and caring environment for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

In the past year, she has assisted 10 families, including housing four families in her own home. Pip has worked to source temporary accommodation, organised working bees and raised funds for Ukranians seeking a new life in the district.

“Orange is full of wonderfully giving people, whose commitment and dedication makes a positive di erence to our community,” Orange Deputy Mayor Gerald Power said as he congratulated Pip and all the winners and nominees for the 2023 Australia Day awards. “Congratulations to all the winners here today. They join a long list of unsung heroes whose contribution to Orange is an inspiration to the community.”

A Citizen of the Year Award Highly Commended was given to Rachael Brooking, who has raised thousands of dollars for research and awareness of Huntington’s Disease through her charity, HD Awareness Orange, as well as running a support group for people with Huntington’s as well as their families.

The 2023 Young Citizen of the Year award was presented to Orange High School Year 8 student and SRC member, Madison Gwynne, for her contribution to dance at the school and in the community. Madison is an integral member of the school’s junior dance troupe, year 7 dance troupe and Aboriginal girls troupe, as well as the NSW State Schools Dance Ensemble and the NSW Aboriginal Dance Company.

Young saxophonist Anabelle Van Wyk received the Highly Commended in the Young Citizen of the Year award for her extraordinary musical achievements. A member of the Sydney Youth Orchestra’s Symphonic Wind Orchestra, Anabelle has performed on various stages, from the Parkes Elvis Festival to

Carnegie Hall in New York.

Community Group of the Year was awarded to FoodCare Orange, a volunteer-run organisation that provides access to free and a ordable food, groceries and household items for people experiencing financial hardship. Highly Commended went to disability employer Wangarang Industries, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Community Event of the Year was won by the 2022 Orange Running Festival, which draws thousands of competitors from across Australia and overseas.

The well-deserved winner of the Local Legend Award was Linda Williamson, who works tirelessly to assist volunteer groups to raise money through her administration of the local Bunnings barbecues. Highly Commended went to long-serving Orange musician Derek Johns, a regular at Anzac Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies over the past 40 years.

The Business Philanthropy Award was given to the Orange Ex-Services Club, for their e orts which raised nearly $400,000 for flood victims in Eugowra and other a ected communities. On top of their fundraising, the Club provided emergency accommodation, meals and supplies for displaced residents.