Darling LHPA ranger wins prestigious award

The senior ranger for the Darling Livestock Health and Pest Authority, Colin Betts has been awarded Brewarrina Shire Council’s citizen of the year award.

In giving the award, Brewarrina Council recognised Mr Betts’ contribution to the community, in particular the enormous contribution that Mr Betts made during the recent floods over Christmas and New Year in the Brewarrina area.

"Colin Betts is an outstanding leader in the Brewarrina community," said Matthew Slacksmith, the mayor of Brewarrina Shire, at the awards presentation on Australia Day.

"This has been testified in the past month with his contribution working over and beyond his employed responsibility in response and recovery of the Christmas/New Year flood in the Brewarrina Shire."

During the floods, Mr Betts worked closely with individual landholders in the region to assist them in prioritising what needed to be done to save livestock.

He also worked closely with the State Emergency Service and Industry and Investment NSW to ensure resources were directed to where they were most needed.

Born and bred in Brewarrina, Mr Betts has been a ranger with the Darling LHPA since 2006. He is an active member of the community in his role as president of the Brewarrina Clay Target Club and is a mentor to some of Australia’s up and coming clay target shooters.

"Colin ranked third at the 2009 Australian Clay Target Association Titles in Roma last year, and was also selected in the 2009 Australian team for the Macintosh International Shoot," Mr Slacksmith said.

"Colin is a quiet achiever, held in high esteem within the community and is a most deserving winner as Brewarrina’s 2010 Australian of the Year."

While the award came as a surprise to Mr Betts, who was nominated by an unknown member of the community, he said he was very honoured to receive it.

Media contact: Suzie Robinson 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378