Farmer and volunteer extraordinaire Janet Doolin named Cobargo Citizen of 2025

Farmers are notoriously busy, but somehow Janet Doolin found time to volunteer for so many organisations for so many years.

That is why she was named Cobargo Citizen of 2025 at the annual ceremony in the Cobargo School of Arts Hall on Australia Day.

Ms Doolin has owned Cobargo Farm for the past 30 years. She started the farm from scratch on a vacant block of land with her parents Bruce and Sheila Holloway.

CWA Cobargo Branch president Lynn Lawson was the master of ceremonies. She said Ms Doolin had been an active and inspiring role model for the Cobargo community after supporting not-for-profit organisations in the area for decades.

Ms Doolin has been actively involved in community events including the Fire up Cobargo-rebuild festival and the Cobargo Show.

Over the years she was a member of the Red Cross, the Rural Fire Brigade, Marine Rescue Bermagui and Meals on Wheels Bermagui.

Ms Doolin was at the forefront of supporting OzHarvest, driving more than 600 kilometres each month to collect and distribute food to people in need in the Cobargo area.

She spent hours during the Black Summer bushfires supporting people in need with food, vouchers and accommodation, and was a member of the Cobargo Tourist and Business Association for more than 25 years, including a period as president.

Unfortunately, Ms Doolin was unable to attend the ceremony and her daughter, Kathryn Doolin, accepted the award on her behalf.

For the first time, there was also a Cobargo Junior Citizen of the Year.

Milla Kelly was the inaugural recipient for her dedication, talent and true sense of community spirit.

Ms Kelly has represented the Sapphire Coast and Far South Coast regions in tag and touch, netball and swimming.

She is an active member of her school’s representative council and has received academic, sporting and citizenship awards.

Ms Kelly coaches younger players and has earned refereeing qualifications so she can officiate at weekly games.

“Her leadership, teamwork, and selfless contributions to the sporting community exemplify the values of Cobargo,” Ms Lawson said.

The awards are based on nominations from the community.

“We have an independent panel – not the CWA – to evaluate the nominations,” Ms Lawson said.

She said they received nominations for the people behind the Triangle Tool Library but the criteria stipulate that the nomination must be for an individual.

It was a real community affair, with the Cobargo Scouts raising the Australian flag ahead of the audience singing Advance Australia Fair.

Cobargo Public School captains Essie and Alfred spoke about what Australia Day meant to them.

Alfred said it was no easy task “as I have only been Australian for 11 years”.

He said Australians shared a love of sport and were good at volunteering and being kind, and had a sense of adventure.

“Australians can come from all over the world,” Alfred said. “Australians get strength from diversity.”

Essie said Australia Day was when we came together to celebrate our wonderful country.

Bega Valley Shire Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick also spoke, and Bega Valley Shire Australia Day Ambassador Catriona Rowntree spoke about her long career in radio and television.

After volunteering for a community radio station for three years, she got the opportunity to read the weather on national radio station triple j.

She put absolutely everything into it which led to her getting her first paid job in media.

“You never know who is listening, or who is watching,” Ms Rowntree said. “Always be your best and always be kind.”

Ms Rowntree said her program Country House Hunters was about people living in the city who wanted to live in the country.

“You are the envy of the world,” she said. “This show is being watched by half a billion people every week because they want the life you have.”