GUNNEDAH Shire mayor Colleen Fuller has initiated a push to reinstate a junior sports awards program in the council area.

Cr Fuller introduced the matter to the council last week through a mayoral minute.

As part of the motion, Cr Fuller said the council could seek expressions of interest from Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce and local businesses to support and potentially fund the program.

“From 2006 to 2012, Gunnedah Shire Council successfully delivered a sports awards program as part of the shire’s sesquicentenary (150-year) celebrations. This program provided an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements of local athletes and the strength of sport within our community,” Cr Fuller said in her mayoral minute. “Since that time, sporting recognition has been incorporated into council’s annual Australia Day awards. While this continues to acknowledge high-level achievement, it does not provide a dedicated platform to celebrate the breadth of junior sport participation across the shire.

“Gunnedah is widely recognised as a strong sporting community, with a diverse range of sporting opportunities available to young people. Our junior athletes consistently achieve at local, regional, state and national levels, and demonstrate significant commitment, sportsmanship and community pride.

“To ensure these achievements are appropriately recognised and encouraged, it is proposed that council consider reinstating a sports awards program, with a specific focus on young people.”

The mayoral minute received a mixed response from councillors, with some noting that the Australia Day awards has struggled at times with nominations in the sporting categories.

Cr Linda Newell also voiced concern that the awards would miss achievements in other areas including academia, the arts and leadership.

“It doesn’t acknowledge young children who volunteer, or just kids that are kind. There’s not enough kindness in the world,” Cr Newell told the meeting.

“I feel like we narrowly put forward sport as something, and it’s not like there aren’t other spaces in the community for that to be acknowledged and shown.”

Cr Newell said the council also supported the Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS).

“We’re already pushing a lot in the sporting area. I think we neglect other children, and I think it’s an unnecessary, extra thing,” she said.

Cr Newell also voiced concern that the matter hadn’t been brought up with the youth consultative council.

Similar concerns were voiced by councillors Cameron Moore, Ann Luke and Rob Hooke.

Crs Luke and Hooke, who both have served on the Australia Day committee, acknowledged the challenges in getting award nominations.

Crs Tammey McAllan and Rob Hoddle spoke in favour of the mayor’s proposal.

“I think this is a really great opportunity for all types of children to be acknowledged,” Cr McAllan said.

“This is a proposal that needs to be looked at,” Cr Hoddle said.

“There’s not a lot of detail in what’s been put up regarding the costs.

“I think it’s worth supporting, because anything that gets kids playing sport is worth supporting.

“Not only for the benefit of the kids, but the benefit of the town.”

Cr Juliana McArthur described the concept as a good idea but suggested withdrawing the motion to seek further input.

Cr Fuller acknowledged the councillors’ comments but said she would still table the motion as it was presented.

The motion was declared as lost, six votes against to three in favour.

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