ARMIDALE’S Cyril ‘Jimmy’ Tanner and Jan Lemon from Glen Innes have received a Medal of the Order of Australia in the King’s Birthday Honours List while Gwydir Shire’s long-serving general manager, Max Eastcott – who retires in July after 24 years’ service – has been awarded a Public Service Medal.

Mr Tanner received an OAM for service to rugby league in Armidale.

He has fulfilled numerous roles in the sport at the Armidale Rams over many decades. He started out as a player in 1947 and has also performed as a coach, groundsmen, barbecue chef and fundraiser.

Mr Tanner was also named the Greater Northern Region of NSWRL’s Volunteer of the Year in 2019 as well as this year’s NSW Seniors Festival Local Achievement Award.

He’s been a volunteer with Armidale Rams Rugby League Football Club for 19 years and a life member of the local junior and senior clubs and a coach since the 1980s.

Mr Tanner has been groundsman at Armidale Rugby League Park for around 50 years and was a league player from 1947-1980.

He’s Former volunteer with Galloping Greens Football Club, founder of Hillgrove Colts cricket team and coach for six years. He also volunteered with Armidale Little Athletics for six years.

Glen Innes’ Jan Lemon received an OAM for her dedication to the local community. Ms Lemon serves on the Glen Innes and District Australia Day committee as the chairperson, spokesperson, master of ceremonies and secretary.

Jimmy Tanner received an OAM for service to rugby league in Armidale (Image courtesy of Armidale Rams Rugby League Football Club).

She was named on the NSW Hidden Treasures Honour Roll. Ms Lemon is also a long-term committee member of the Lioness Club of Glen Innes, radio presenter at 2CBD and STA FM, a life member, president, treasurer, referee, canteen manager, and committee member of Glen Innes Basketball Association.

She volunteers at the Glen Innes Show and fundraises for a number of charities within the region.

Max Eastcott received a Public Service Medal for his outstanding public service to local government and the Gwydir Shire.

He has worked for more than 50 years at local government throughout NSW including Sydney, Byron Bay before landing at Gwydir Shire Council in 2001.

Mr Eastcott has overseen numerous initiatives and changes within local government.

His list of accolades includes playing a key role in the successful amalgamation of Yallaroi, Bingara and part Barraba Shire Councils into the Gwydir Shire Council in 2004, being a driver of agricultural and educational programs within the region, having the Myall Creek Massacre and memorial site included as a place in the NSW Heritage Register, and the refurbishment and redevelopment of the Roxy Theatre in Bingara, and much more.

Education has been at the forefront of Mr Eastcott’s tenure and he was instrumental in establishing the Gwydir Learning Region, a community-based learning organisation that partnered with local businesses, the University of New England, TAFE and local schools to enable hundreds of people to obtain qualifications to take up meaningful employment.

Many of the alumni are the first of their family to obtain full-time employment thus breaking a cycle of disadvantage in the region.

Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan congratulated the dedicated and hard-working recipients of King’s Birthday Honours.

“It is fantastic to have people from our region honoured for dedication to their communities and their professions,” Mr Moylan said.

“People from all walks of life and fields of expertise have been recognised for their contribution to their work.

“These honours celebrate integrity, commitment and compassion, and I congratulate each and every one of these recipients,” he said.