By Dominique Tassell
Swanfels local Michael (Mick) Bradford was honoured by Southern Downs Regional Council at their recent meeting when he was named citizen of the month.
Mick has been part of the Swanfels community for the past 88 years and was the instigator of the Heavy Horse Days in 2000, where he was firstly assisted by the Warwick Lion’s Club and then the Killarney Lion’s Club.
Cr Ross Bartley stated that Mick worked tirelessly along with his fellow Lions Members to organise and run these days to acknowledge the Pioneering Days of our farming families.
“It was also a way of demonstrating how the Draft Horses played a significant role in the rural sector,“ he said.
At one of these Heavy Horse Days, the Careflight Craft flew overhead and it inspired Mick and others to make the event a fundraiser for this essential service.
“I fondly recall Mick and his fellow Lions proudly handing Cheques at the Killarney Lions Changeover Dinner to Representatives who personally attended to show their appreciation,“ Cr Bartley said.
“2016 was the final heavy Horse day and the community continue to recall these great days where we came together to support a worthy cause as well to acknowledge all the efforts of these dedicated volunteers.“
Mick said it was great to see everyone there, and thanked the council for the honour.
“It wasn’t just me,“ he said. “It was all the helpers that I had including the Lions Club.“
“It was a great pleasure to see the crowd and it was great to raise all the money that I did for Careflight.“
