This year was to be no exception, and on Saturday Mayor Bob Stewart was very pleased to again present the highly anticipated Bombala Citizen of the Year Award.

The gathering was delighted to see John Ratcliffe called up to accept the award, with the well known and respected local being a very popular winner for this prestigious title.

As the applause died down, and John made his way onto the stage on crutches, Mayor Stewart gave an outline of John’s dedication to the district over many, many years.

“John, known as Ratty to most, has been helping out in our community for over 30 year,” Mayor Stewart read from the citation.

“He has volunteered many hours to a number of organisations, often carrying out the electrical work required. He voluntarily did the wiring on the Bombala Tennis Courts and Cathcart Hall upgrades to name a few.

“He has been involved with rugby league in the district for many years and in all facets of the game – as a player, a coach and a committee man.

“He played for Bibbenluke, Bombala and Delegate Clubs and was a representative player for Group 16 at the age of 19. He was on the Committee of the Bombala – Delegate Club and Group 16 and is still the Vice President of the reformed Bombala & District Rugby League Club. He also coached a number of teams.

“John’s involvement with rugby league also extended to the Bombala Junior Rugby League Football Club, an organisation he was involved in from 1978 to 1996. He served as a coach and committee person, including a stint as President and for his efforts was made a Life Member.

“He always co-ordinated the Welcoming Dinner for guests during the Clash of the Giants Fairy Meadow visits and assisted with ensuring that these events always ran smoothly and that a good time was had by all.

“John has also contributed many hours to the annual Bibbenluke Carnival to ensure the success of this event.

“John was also the original Treasurer of the Bombala Touch Football Association and a Committee member of 13 years.

“As a foundation member of the Anzac Day Sports Committee, John has helped to ensure that this event has provided a wonderful family fun day for at least 20 years. In addition, this event has raised many thousands of dollars for community causes.

“John has also been a member of the Bombala Exhibition Ground Management Committee for many years, serving as President for a number of these. He is still a very active member of the committee and has always been ready to lend a hand with the up keep of the grounds.

“This is especially in regards to electrical work, where he has willingly given his own time and expertise to help with the rewiring of the kiosk, the lighting of the netball courts and the upgrade of the Youth Club.

“John has always been a keen supporter of the St Joseph’s Primary School. He was a member of the P&C and for many years has assisted with the Catholic Debutante Ball where he has never failed to help when called upon, sometimes on short notice.

“His advice regarding anything electrical has been invaluable to this committee in making the night a great event for the district.

“For over ten years John has been associated with the Bombala and District Jockey Club. During this time he has managed the bar very capably and also organised the upgrading of the electrical system. The improvements he has bought to the facilities has enabled the Club to compete on the same terms as other regional Clubs.

“The commencement of Ratty’s career in the electrical trades was with the forerunner of Essential Energy, the Monaro County Council. He then proceeded to start his own electrical business and has served the community and his clients extremely well for many years, always trying to deliver the best options available.

“He has given many young men the opportunity to learn the electrical trade in their home environment by always employing an apprentice. Many of his apprentices have gone on to create successful businesses.

“John also helped out by providing extra experience for apprentices employed by the County Council.

“Our community has been very fortunate to have such a dedicated man in our midst who has contributed an extraordinary amount of volunteer work to our district.

“I congratulate John on receiving the Award of Citizen of the Year for 2012.”

As most expected, John was very humble in his response, thanking those involved in selecting him, and his wife Francis for her support, speaking of how proud and privileged he felt on receiving the award.

John expressed just how much he had enjoyed his years of community work, and particularly spoke of how rewarding it was to see children enjoying events that he had been involved in, such as the Anzac Sports Day.

He spoke of the many close friends he had made through being involved in community work, and commented that being around young people in this way keeps you feeling young.

John also pointed out that you don’t have to give much to help out the community and get a lot back from the experience.

At this point he encouraged those who are not involved in community work to consider volunteering to help out what he described as “the greatest town in the best country in the world”.