PHIL Mudge has proved that little things can make someone a big achiever.
The Balranald resident has been fetching coffee, paying bills, running errands, gardening and offering his assistance to local businesses, residents and sporting clubs across the community since he moved to the town from Koraleigh in 1994.
It’s this plethora of favours and instrinsic benevolence that landed ‘Mudgey’ Balranald’s Citizen of the Year Award at the shire’s Australia Day celebrations at Greenham Park on Saturday.
The humble Balranald Roos devotee summed up his reaction to the announcement in one word: “surprise”.
“I just walk up and down the street all day, give them a hand, ask what they want done,” he told The Guardian while a queue of well-wishers formed to congratulate him with hugs and handshakes.
“It fills my day and keeps my mind ticking over… I just enjoy helping people.”
Balranald Shire Mayor Steve O’Halloran said the decision appeared to have been extremely popular with those in attendance at the community breakfast.
“He’s just a trustworthy citizen who I’m glad we’ve all been able to acknowledge,” he said.
“What he’s done for the football club in particular, has been fantastic — being the water boy and supporting the younger ones.”
Another big winner on the day was Balranald’s New Year’s Eve Committee.
For more on this story see Monday’s edition of The Guardian (January 28, 2013).
