A good crowd braved the early start, rolling up to Binnaway’s Australia Day event on Wednesday, 26 January, where one of their own received the prestigious Warrumbungle Shire Citizen of the Year award. And there was none more deserving than Jane Phillips.

Mrs Phillips received the award for her outstanding effort in the Binnaway community.

As well as being a mother of two and working as a communications officer for the Central West Local Land Services, Mrs Phillips volunteers her time for a range of community groups including the Binnaway Show committee, Tennis Club and the Community Action Plan group.

She has been instrumental in assessing BinnawayShowground’s infrastructure and ways to improve the facility for the local community, creating a masterplan for future development.

A talented writer, she is also a regular contributor to local publications the Binnaway Bush Telegraph and the Coonabarabran Times.

On accepting her award, Mrs Phillips spoke about her love for helping the Binnaway community.

“It makes it a lot easier when it’s a lovely community with amazing, beautiful, warm people,” she said.

“If you show you're willing to get in and have a go, it is really appreciated and more people get involved.”

Mrs Phillips has been the driving force in reviving social tennis in Binnaway.

“I grew up in Inverell and I remember going to tennis where all the kids would run around and have a great time,” she said.

“So I wanted to provide that, not only for my children, but all the children in Binnaway.

“I was very excited to secure funding for multipurpose arena - that has been one of my greatest achievements.”

With no look of slowing down anytime soon, the Binnaway resident said she had a few more projects in the pipeline.

“At the moment we’re trying to obtain grant funding to resurface the tennis courts and have been working hard on upgrading amentities at the Showground.”

Her passion for community extends to looking for new ways to promote Binnaway and all it has to offer, with its central location between the Warrumbungles and Coolah Tops, and helping make Binnaway a destination of choice for horse sports.

This commitment was demonstrated with her contribution to a Domain article, “Escape to Binnaway, the town that offers 65,000 reasons to never leave”.

This article showed the value of living in a small rural community, the drive of local people and local committees, and what people with positive attitudes and cooperation are able to achieve - providing priceless publicity for Binnaway and Warrumbungle Shire.

The 2022 Warrumbungle Shire Citizen of the Year award recognises Mrs Phillip’s outstanding contribution to her community, with her efforts an example of what passionate volunteers can achieve for their community.