Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) Town Crier Bob Townshend has been named Southern Downs Citizen of the Year.

Bob was awarded the honour alongside some of the community’s greatest contributors, recognised for their outstanding service, at Australia Day celebrations at Glengallan Homestead and Stanthorpe’s Weeroona Park on Friday 26 January.

Bob Townshend was appointed Southern Downs Town Crier in 2011 and has since volunteered his time and booming voice to welcoming people to a variety of events across the region.

During his short time as a town crier, Mr Townshend has attended five Australian Town Crier Championships and was the only Queensland crier at the World Town Crier Championships in 2015.

In 2017, Mr Townshend defended his title of Australian Senior Champion Town Crier at the Australian Town Crier Championships and gained a third place in the Champion of Champions.

Mr Townshend has also presented a greeting from the Mayor of the Southern Downs to the Mayor of Warwick in England.

Southern Downs Mayor Cr Tracy Dobie extended her congratulations to all Australia Day Award recipients.

“Congratulations to Mr Townshend, the Southern Downs Citizen of the Year, and to all the recipients of the 2018 Australia Day Awards,” Cr Dobie said.

“These individuals exemplify why we should all be proud to be Southern Downs citizens and this is an opportunity to recognise them and to say thank you for their service to the community.

“These awards recognise the contribution these accomplished individuals and groups have made to enrich our communities. Their service is an inspiration to all of us and captures the very essence of the Australian spirit.”

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