Congratulations to our Australia Day Award recipients

Today we welcome six new citizens to the Australian community and recognize four members of the many in our community who devote their time and efforts in making our island home so special.

To all recipients: congratulations and thank you.

This year, Timothy Sheridan has been named Norfolk Island’s Citizen of the Year in recognition of his dedication, commitment and involvement in serving and supporting Norfolk’s young people.

Having joined the Norfolk Island Cadet Unit in 1998, before taking over the voluntary role as Officer Commanding, Tim has dedicated over 25 years of his life to one of the biggest youth development programs on Norfolk Island and across Australia.

Thanks to Tim’s successful stewardship the local cadet unit has grown and flourished – opening doors to Norfolk Island’s young people to participate in extremely competitive training and advancement courses with the Australian Defence Force, as well as annual trips to the mainland for field camps with the Cadets.

Tim’s dedication and commitment to the Norfolk Island Cadet Unit is a true reflection of our community’s and nation’s values, and we thank him for his many years of service to the youth of Norfolk Island.

Our Young Citizens of the Year are Jordan Murray and Timi Snell, both of who represent the best and brightest amongst our young people.

Jordan is receiving her award in recognition of the support in developing and educating Norfolk Island’s younger children, along with her volunteer work within the community.

A talented and creative individual, Jordan has represented Norfolk Island in the arts of dancing, weaving and wreath making, and has spent many hours, after school, assisting the younger age group with their Bounty Ball performance.

She was also a representative on the 2023 Norfolk Island Youth Council and the Mental Health Awareness Group, where she was a strong advocate for the youth of Norfolk Island.

Additionally, Jordan represented Norfolk in the open women’s netball team at the 2023 Pacific Games, where she showcased her immense athletic abilities.

Jordan’s outstanding leadership qualities, her passion for her community and her kind and caring nature showcase the best of Norfolk Island, and I congratulate her on her well-deserved award.

Like Jordan, Timi Snell is a hugely talented individual who has used her immense talents to represent Norfolk Island on the national stage.

This year, Timi represented Norfolk Island for squash at the Oceana Junior Squash Championships, the Australian Junior Open as well as for Queensland in the Trans-Tasman Challenge and School Sports.

Timi has won multiple junior equestrian championships at the Royal Agriculture and Horticultural show, along with the 2023 age championship for swimming and athletics.

Additionally, Timi was selected to attend the Corporals Promotion Course in Holsworthy this year, due to her enthusiastic membership of the Norfolk Island Cadet Unit.

Congratulations Timi for your passion and focus in your chosen sports, as well as the strength of character you have unrelentingly displayed over the past twelve months, even while dealing with difficult medical issues within your family.

This year, we will be awarding the Community (Sports) Achievement Award to Kayden Russell Judd for his achievements in Clay Target Shooting.

Since the age of 16, Kayden has represented Norfolk Island in the sport, and – in February last year – he placed third in the open category and was selected to compete in the Oceania DTK Championships held in New Zealand, where he brought home a silver medal in the open category and two silvers in the junior categories, making Kayden the most successful junior shooter ever to represent Norfolk Island.

Congratulations Kayden, your dedication, commitment and enthusiasm for Clay Target Shooting is well-deserving of this award.

George Plant

Administrator of Norfolk Island

26 January 2024