By TANIA PHILLIPS
AWARDS, barbecues and being with family were the order of the day as the Southern Downs celebrated Australia Day on Tuesday.
Many of the region’s quiet achievers were honoured, with Robert Keogh and the late Hal Lyons named as citizens of the year.
Northern citizen of the year, announced at Warwick’s ceremony on Tuesday morning, was Robert Keogh for his work with the Southern Downs Steam Railway Association and other organisations.
Dedicated to his steam train passion, Robert was out on the train at the time of the ceremony but his daughter Julie was on hand to accept his award.
Robert or “Bob” as he is more widely known is proudly Warwick born and bred and turned 82 yesterday.
He is one of the founding members, past president and current vice‐ president of the Southern Downs Steam Railway Association, a volunteer, not‐for‐profit tourist heritage steam railway based at the Warwick Railway Precinct.
With a long-held vision for the reintroduction of steam rail travel in the Southern Downs region Bob worked tirelessly, rallying old friends and railway acquaintances to renovate an old steam locomotive and was instrumental in the formation of the Southern Downs Steam Railway in 1996.
His many other community achievements included being a member of the Knights of the Southern Cross, Patron of the Warwick Recreation Aero Club, former Board Member of the Warwick Fire Services, and former chair of the local National/LNP Branch for several terms.
Bob’s tenacious spirit is also evidenced by his overcoming of significant personal and financial barriers to gain his pilot’s licence at age 19 and his senior commercial pilot’s licence at age 34, following which he established the Downs Flight Centre, educating and mentoring pilots over the course of 40 years.
On Tuesday afternoon the late Hal Lyons was named citizen of the year at the ceremony at Stanthorpe.
The title was awarded posthumously to Mr Lyons, who died late last year.
His son Anthony Lyons accepted the Stanthorpe Citizen of the Year Award on behalf of his late father who had been a member of a number of clubs including Stanthorpe Rotary for 26 years where he served as president and was recognised by Rotary International for his contributions and exemplary service.
Anthony Lyons said in accepting the award his father would have been very proud to receive it, however in all that his father did and achieved in his life he never sought recognition and would have been humbled to have been nominated.
Current president of the Rotary Club Casey O’Connor said Hal Lyons epitomised the ideals of Rotary and the award was worthy recognition of Hal’s “Service Above Self” throughout his life.
Hal was a charter member, vice-president and activities officer with the Stanthorpe Probus Club; a life member and valued volunteer with the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery, and patron of the Stanthorpe Scouting movement.
He was also a charter member of the Stanthorpe Men’s Shed, and his commitment to the club was recognised through dedication of the shed as “Hal’s Place” at its opening ceremony.
Hal was a volunteer driver for Blue Care, and was involved in organising the craft awards at the local high schools, for which he was also a judge for more than 20 years.
Although building was Hal’s vocation, he generously volunteered his time and building expertise locally for many projects such as the Rotary barbecue area near the Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre; an outdoor auditorium at Ballandean Estate for Opera in the Vineyard; the Stanthorpe Girl Guide hut; relocation and renovation of the Stanthorpe Scout Hall.
