1st February 2010,

Jacob Dyball wins AUS Day Top Honours

BY DI SNEDDON

Singleton Argus

29 Jan, 2010

AUSTRALIA Day was a day for the boys with Danny Thompson taking out Singleton citizen of the year and Jacob Dyball young citizen.

The major awards were announced to an audience of some 500 people at the Australia Day ceremony.

It is the first time both awards went to men since 1993.

Both recipients could easily be described as quiet achievers.

Mr Thompson, a long term Rotarian and well known health worker, has been an advocate of the Rotary bowel screen campaign for many years.

Active in the community on so many levels, he was also recognised for his work as a volunteer with school groups, debutante balls and Singleton Theatrical Society.

Jacob Dyball’s highlight of 2009 was competing at the 2009 summer Deaflympics in Taipei.

Born 24-weeks premature, Jacob was diagnosed profoundly deaf and was fitted with bi-lateral hearing aids. Then began a long road of achieving communication skills which he clearly overcame and demonstrated that ability with precision during his acceptance speech.

“I am humbled and surprised by this,” Jacob said.

“I thank my friends and my family and the Singleton community who have always shown me so much support, especially last year for the Deaflympics,” Jacob said.

Equally humble was Mr Thompson who said he was proud just to be nominated.

“To hear what everyone has done is just amazing, it is great to celebrate the fact that we have got so many people willing to support this community,” he said.

He also took the opportunity to push the role of service clubs in Singleton and said anyone with some time on their hands should make the move.

“Whatever you give to the community comes back to you in waves.”

Tuesday’s wave came in the form of one of Singleton’s highest honours.

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