Crystal Brook Australia Day Award Winners

CRYSTAL BROOK AUSTRALIA DAY CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AND EVENT OF THE YEAR 2025

It is with a great deal of pleasure that the Crystal Brook Community Association (CBCA) announces the following Australia Day Award receipients:

• Crystal Brook Citizen of the Year - Genevieve Wells
• Crystal Brook Junior Citizen of the Year - Keeley Greatorex
• Crystal Brook Event of the Year - Crystal Brook Netball Club Colour Run.

The Association also saw fit to award a Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Community Service to Christine and Trevor Wood.

Genevieve Wells has been a tireless volunteer within Crystal Brook since coming to the community with her husband, Michael. Gen’s unwavering dedication and passion for community service and her quiet and humble commitment to enhancing the quality of life for residents in Crystal Brook has rightfully earned her the recognition of Citizen of the Year.

Gen has been a regular blood donor for many years encouraging as many as possible along the way to give too. She is the regional contact for Heart Kids, not only raising community awareness but also organising many fundraisers to support children with heart conditions and securing funding for this vital cause. Each year Gen creates and distributes a comprehensive school leaver guide to every Year 12 student in the state ensuring they are well informed of their options be it TAFE, University or Vocational Training, as they transition into adulthood. Gen’s passion for guiding youth is evident as she motivates students to pursue their dreams and explore all options.

Gen has a passion for helping others, particularly those experiencing challenges and disadvantage in their life. Whether it is in her professional or personal life she has a real ability to genuinely connect with people often linking them to essential services ensuring they are not left struggling or feeling alone. Gen can often be found with Michael feeding people at Fred’s Van, or cooking and delivering a meal to someone in the community who is isolated or experiencing difficulty,or sending a card to remind someone they are being thought of, or checking on someone who is just needing a little extra support - a quiet and compassionate person looking for no recognition.

Gen’s community work extends beyond helping individuals including her work at the local Catholic Church, serving on the Parish Finance Council, teaching Sunday School, and coordinating maintenance projects. She is also a life member of the Crystal Brook Basketball Club still refereeing today and has been a critical member of both the local Pony Club and Netball Club. Gen is now a very active member of the Bowman Park Committee and the Crystal Brook Community Association where she actively participates in working bees, and community events contributing time and effort to maintaining public spaces and also seeks to identify grant opportunities for local projects and the community.

Gen is a true ambassador for rural communities, advocating for their voices at all levels. Her holistic approach to community work, coupled with her ability to find an extra hour in each day, allows her to respond to the needs of others with a human touch.

Keeley Greatorex is an exceptional young woman whose contributions to the Crystal Brook community make her an outstanding candidate for the Crystal Brook Junior Citizen of the Year.

Since 2018, Keeley has graced the annual Christmas Carols in the Park with her beautiful singing and playing. She has performed the National Anthem at numerous community events, including the Debutante Ball, the Crystal brook Classic, the ANZAC Day Dawn Service and the Australia Day celebrations.

Keeley is currently studying a Bachelor of Music and has been an active participant in Youth Theatre for the past five years, showcasing her commitment to the arts. She is also a valued member of the Crystal Brook Hockey Club, where her dedication and teamwork further demonstrate her contributions to the community.

The Crystal Brook Netball Club Colour Run has been named the Crystal Brook Event of the Year. Held in October with over 180 participants from across the region it was brilliant to see the beautiful natural environment of Bowman Park come alive with children, families, splashes of colour, squirts of water, music, and energy, creating a wonderful atmosphere. The Crystal Brook Netball Club committee and club members coordinated the powder stations, set up course markers, provided first aid support, and ensured everything ran smoothly. A highlight for the participants were two CFS fire units, and also the private farm units that provided a cascade of water for everyone to enjoy.

The day provided a fundraising/participation opportunity for many community groups including the Crystal Brook Primary School Parent Club who provided the BBQ; Ohh My! provided coffee and ice cream; the Crystal Brook Golf Club had a lolly and drink stall; Northern Refrigeration provided icy-cool slushies; the Community Association provided insurance coverage; the Bowman Park Committee provided the beautiful venue and assistance where needed, the CFS provided their water trucks  and the Apex Club assisted with car parking.

Led very ably by the Netball Club this event was a wonderful example of the Crystal Brook community really working together to create an excellent event!

From the time Christine and Trevor Wood became the Post Office business owners they have generously committed their time and resources to the Crystal Brook community. Whether it was printing and collating newsletters such as the Chronicle at cost, or printing programs for events such as the Community Carols for free, nothing was too much trouble. Alongside this they have also provided the free delivery of countless community notices and community fundraising events for various community groups.

Christine and Trevor have been a font of knowledge and a valuable and generous resource to so many people needing to sort banking, passport, license and other complex issues. If they were unable to provide the immediate answer, they would commit to finding out and follow up promptly with people. Christine’s role as a Justice of the Peace was invaluable to many and frequently utilised. They also provided postal service support to the Redhill community when their local service closed.

Aside from their business generosity Christine and Trevor have worked tirelessly for the Lions Club particularly in providing countless donuts via the donut van to many community events. Their beautiful donuts will be missed by the local children and adults alike. Christine was also active in the local Scout Group and took on leadership roles as needed.

We wish Christine and Trevor all the very best in their well-deserved retirement in beautiful Port Neill and sincerely thank them for their enormous and generous contribution to the Crystal Brook community.