TAMWORTH has recognised some local folks who are truly in a league of their own.
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On January 26, Tamworth honours the work top citizens and welcomes people from abroad pledging to call Australia home.
The city’s Australia Day committee picked a trio of townsfolk who’ve used sport as their chief channel to contribute to the community.
Historian, teacher and multi-talented senior sportsman Mike Cashman was named citizen of the year.
Most recently, Mr Cashman drove commemorative activities throughout 2018 in remembrance of the 200th anniversary of European arrival.
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Mr Cashman has spent much of his 75 years training to excel on the sporting field and poring over books to learn and share the stories of the city’s past.
But he left the last part of his trek towards the citizen of the year win down to luck and a lairy shirt.
The bold paisley number Mr Cashman donned saw him recently named runner-up at the Wallabadah races’ fashions in the field.
Mr Cashman backed a winner on Saturday.
While he was stoked to claim line honours, he said the city would benefit from a wider field.
“I might have had the criteria to be fair enough to be chosen, but more people should be nominated,” he said.
The win has given Mr Cashman a second wind of sorts, not that he had any sign of tired legs.
“It’s also further inspiration to contribute to more to Tamworth,” he said.
His next mission is a 296km walk from Tamworth to Newcastle to raise money for one of his pet organisations, Men of League.
Tamworth High School prefect Isaac Moxon was named the young citizen of the year.
Gracious in acceptance, he firstly acknowledged the Gomeroi elders, past and present, and then paid tribute to some role models he’s looked up to in his sporting endeavours.
“I think just coming up through sport and seeing the older parents always there, giving back even if their kids aren’t in the side, they’ll give back to the other sides,” he said.
“There’s one person I do know, Sean Hoffman, he gives back to every side.
”It pushes me to be like him, he is such a great role model.”
Mr Moxon has finished high school but he was committed to sticking in Tamworth, at least for the four years as he pursues an electrical apprenticeship.
But the win has spurred him on to do more.
“It’s a huge honour, it doesn’t come around too often,” he said.
“It prompts me to continue what I’m doing and maybe one day be like Mike and get the citizen of the year award.”
Lara Graham, a promising young cricketer, won the Mitchell Brady encouragement award.
While the youngster snared the youth achievement award in Tamworth, her cricketing heroes were going head-to-head in the women’s Big Bash League final.
It’s a stage which mightn’t be far away for the Tamworth girl who is on an auspicious sporting trajectory.
“She recently returned from an, albeit unsuccessful, under-18 Twenty20 national championships campaign in Bendigo representing NSW/ACT country.
“I would like to do more volunteering and I guess that’s what these awards are for,” she said.
“I would have liked to watch [the WBBL final], but it is a huge honour getting this award.”