Each Australia day local councils all over the nation acknowledge individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to their community with the Australia Day Awards.
On the 26th January 2024, Ruby’s Dad & Mum (Nick & Kim Peake) who are also the founders of Ruby Mae’s Wish were awarded the 2023 Barraba Citizens of the Year at their local award ceremony held at the Barraba Golf Club with Ambassador Mr. John Lee OAM and Councilor Stephen Mears. Nick & Kim were nominated and awarded with the recognition for their empathy, hard work, determination, generosity and community spirit though all of their amazing working with Ruby Mae’s Wish and starting the charity in honor of their beautiful daughter. In a time that would have been easier to stay behind the comfort of the walls of their home, they have stepped out into the public view. All whilst navigating the way through immense grief and heartache they created a legacy to keep Ruby’s dream of becoming a Doctor alive , by pledging to raise much needed funds for Childrens Hospitals for Education and medical equipment.
Kim & Nick have both said “they would hand back the award within a heartbeat if they could be doing all this with Ruby, instead of in her honor. But they were both very surprised to receive the call informing them they were nominated for the award and then to be awarded the accolade it was all very emotional and overwhelming as we were and still are so very humbled by the recognition of what we have achieved for Ruby”. Kim went on to say “we are so pleased with all of the feedback we have received and it makes all those hard days worthwhile when you hear you have helped another family with a sick or injured child” .
Some of the most commonly used words on social media in support of the deserving recipients were:
- Deserving
- Amazing
- Inspiring/Inspirational
- Beautiful
- Wonderful
- Proud
Congratulations Nick & Kim, we are all so proud of you both and we know Ruby is cheering you on every step of the way with everything you have done and continue to do in her honor.
We would also like to congratulate all other award recipients and a special mention to the Frost Over Barraba for being awarded the 2023 Community Event of the Year.
While Australia Day means different things to different people, it’s a day that we can all reflect on your Australian experience – your past, present and future. We are all part of a story so we can all Reflect, Respect and Celebrate. It is a day to reflect on what it means to be Australia, to celebrate contemporary Australia and to acknowledge our history. We can so this with ALL Australians. Indigenous Australians are the traditional custodians of our beautiful land and waterways and have a fundamental role in the Australian Story. We can all aspire to an Australia Day that can increasingly include a recognition and celebration by all Australians of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to our nation.
