Baradine resident, Paul Wangmann has been awarded Warrumbungle Shire Council 2024 Citizen of the Year in recognition of decades of dedicated community volunteering.

Paul was presented with his award by Australia Day ambassador, Warren Potent, at the Australia Day celebrations held in Baradine on Friday, 26 January.

Many locals will remember Paul when he owned and ran the Baradine Newsagency and Giftware store for 37 years. This business was a great asset for the town, serving many for generations.

Paul and his father, Wilbur owned a Poll Hereford cattle stud at Kenebri, participating in and winning many major prizes and championship ribbons for their stock throughout the Shire, at the Royal Sydney Easter Show and the Royal Queensland Show.

He has always been a supportive townsman and a member of many community groups, including the local fire brigade, the Baradine show, Lion’s Club and the Baradine Football Club.

Paul hosted many successful sports day functions on his property at Kenebri to help raise money for the building of the Baradine Memorial Swimming Pool.

It was in his role as president of the Baradine Aged Care Association for 20 years that he became the prime mover and shaker in getting the Baradine Medical Centre built, and the purchase of the doctor’s residence, to ensure that there was an appealing package to attract doctors to the town into the future.

However, due to the location of Baradine and the ongoing shortage of rural doctors, it has been a constant challenge to attract and keep a general practitioner.

But every time the search was on for a new doctor, Paul looked at ways to pull out all stops to find and seek a suitable applicant, knowing full well that a town without a doctor can have disastrous economic outcomes.

This commendation recognises Paul’s resolve, commitment, and dedication to the Baradine community.

In his acceptance speech, Paul said he was honoured and humbled to receive the Citizen of the Year award in recognition of his years of volunteering and fund-raising.

“I have always thought I have been lucky to live in a community minded town like Baradine,” Paul said.

“I have always had a good appreciation of the community groups I have worked with over the years, especially the Baradine Aged Care committee.

“I know that Baradine is very proud of the fact that they have been able to attract and keep GP services in the town, unlike many other small rural communities that struggle to provide these benefits.

"We have excellent medical facilities to attract a doctor to take up residence and practice and I am proud to be part of a committee that has made it all happen. But if the cause is good, the whole town gets behind it.

“I have been a volunteer all my life because I like to do something for my community: I am like a sheep dog rounding up people to do things!

“I believe that all the volunteering I have done has gone into projects that make our community a better place to live.

“Community means a lot to me – I love Baradine.”

Award recipients

Citizen of the Year: Paul Wangmann (Baradine)

Young Citizen of the Year: Declan Eshman (Coonabarabran)

Senior Citizen of the Year: John Franklin (Coonabarabran)

Sportsperson of the Year: Poi Birtles (Coonabarabran)

Young Sportsperson of the Year: Kiesha Rusten (Coolah)

Environmental Citizen of the Year: May Whittall (Coonabarabran)

Cultural Achievement Award: Yulu-gi-Mari Dance Group (Coonabarabran)

Community Event of the Year: Tunes on the Turf Dunedoo (Dunedoo)

Young Environmental Citizen of the Year: St John’s Primary School Baradine Bird Helpers (Baradine)