They’re the toast of the town

Graham Buchner

By Jeremy Sollars

Graham Buchner has been named Warwick’s Australia Day Citizen of the Year for 2017, with Greg Thouard taking out Stanthorpe’s top honour today.
Graham Buchner has been described in a Southern Downs Regional Council citation as a ‘Warwick Institution’ – a selfless person who always puts the Warwick community first.
Graham has had a long involvement with the community. He has received a number of awards over the years for his contributions to the community including an OAM for Road Safety and a Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary International for exceptional community service.
Graham’s association with the Rotary Club of Warwick Sunrise commenced in the club’s inaugural year in 2000, when Graham, along with many members of the club, provided hours of work and supplies to develop the entrance to Morgan Park. This development recognised Graham’s passion to enhance this popular sporting establishment to continue to attract locals and visitors to the park.
Although not a club member, Graham continues to be involved with activities of the Rotary Club of Warwick Sunrise and is always putting the Warwick community first. Graham provides a fleet of “Special Event” vans, which allow clubs, schools and tourist events, such as the Warwick Show and Rodeo, to have a venue for administration and shelter. He has provided these vans for many years at many events annually, and has done so free of charge to these groups.
Known for his dedication to keeping the major roads in and out of Warwick clean and tidy, Graham slashes the grass with his own equipment, and is regularly seen collecting rubbish and stray trolleys, which he has done for decades, ensuring that Warwick looks good for locals and visitors to the city.
Graham is a member of numerous community organisations and committees to which he freely and enthusiastically commits his time, knowledge and resources to assist wherever possible. Graham has boundless capacity and energy for the community he loves and is an exemplary role model.
Stanthorpe’s Citizen of the Year Greg Thouard has likewise been described by the council as having provided an outstanding level of dedication and commitment to the community spanning more than four decades.
He has contributed to the rich fabric of the Stanthorpe and Granite Belt community, and beyond, through his participation and leadership in many community, sporting and professional associations. Greg’s involvement in and support for these associations is vast, crossing many sectors from sport and recreation, education, environment and finance, to arts, culture and music.
The positive and important impact of his contributions extends not only locally, but to the broader region and on the state and national fronts. In particular, Greg’s enthusiasm for and devotion to Stanthorpe’s Apple and Grape Harvest Festival has continued for over 40 years with roles including: Chairman Youth Committee (4 years); Executive Member (20 years); Chairman Finance Committee (6 years); Master of Ceremonies for 13 Gala Balls and Bands Co-ordinator (24 years); Decorated Windows Co-ordinator (32 years); Grape Crush Organiser and Compere (28 years); and Marketing and Media Director, and President (3 years).
The Apple and Grape Harvest Festival celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015 under Greg’s presidency, and was hailed a huge success, with celebrations running over 10 days, in conjunction with the National Busking Competition, attracting record crowds to the region. Greg has been a steadfast identity as master of ceremonies for numerous community events and his exemplary level of commitment and dedication to furthering all facets of community and public life is further demonstrated through the multitude of his past and present memberships of community, sporting and professional associations.

Other Australia Day award winners

Warwick:
Junior Citizen Award – Ceilidh Bishop.
Cultural Award – Justin Wade.
Junior Cultural Award – Molly Harm.
Junior Sports Award – Kira Holmes.
Sports Administration Award – Greg Patterson.
Community Event of the Year – “Mick Bradford’s Heavy Horse Day”.

Stanthorpe:
Cultural Award – Nicola Holly.
Sports Award – Adrian Jannenga.
Junior Sports Award – Anika Spiller.
Sports Administration Award – Kirsten Ellis.
Community Event of the Year – “Snowflakes in Stanthorpe”.