YOU couldn’t get a more worthy winner for the 2012 Young Citizen of the Year than Wayd Millar.
Wayd was born in Sri Lanka on June 6, 1986 and was adopted by his parents Gael and Michael Millar when he was two weeks old.
After being schooled at Appin Primary School, then doing a short stint at Picton Primary School, Wayd began high school at Cootamundra High School when his parents and his younger brother Evan moved to town in 1999.
After completing school, Wayd took on a carpentry apprenticeship with local builder Greg Collingridge, completing his apprenticeship with Cootamundra Fabrications until the business ceased trading and then going into business on his own and establishing Wayd Millar’s Maintenance.
When he’s not running his own building business or playing local sports Wayd is often seen on stage performing for charities close to his heart.
Wayd has been a regular performer at variety night fundraisers supporting Cootamundra CanAssist and the Apex Onwards to Oncology Appeal for a number of years now.
Despite having a little stage fright at first, Wayd jumps at the opportunity to get on stage and does so enthusiastically, even when it comes to the cross dressing roles.
Wayd is involved in a number of sports including local cricket, touch football, volleyball and indoor sports.
He is currently the president of the Cootamundra Town Tennis Club and before being inducted as the president he was an active committee member for a number of years.
Wayd is constantly organising teams and rosters and arranges player replacements when someone is unable to play.
A member of the Cootamundra Strikers Club since he was 14, Wayd has coached and referred junior soccer teams, giving up his weekends to do so.
“I do what I do because I love it,” Wayd said.
“To be nominated for such an award is humbling but to actually receive the award is such a meaningful honour,” Wayd said.
When accepting his award, Wayd paid tribute to the Australian way of life.
“Enjoy the day like I will – with a game of cricket, a few snags and a beer, have a great day,” Wayd said to those gathered in Jubilee Park.
Wayd was nominated for the prestigious Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year Award by local CanAssist member Meg Smith.
Meg still remembers fondly the first time she asked Wayd to perform in a CanAssist variety concert and treasures a photo of Wayd’s first performance, where he was an Indian and all he had to do was pose in his costume while local girls danced around him.
“Wayd was very shy to begin with, but he has come out of his shell and no matter what the task or challenge is I throw at him he always does his best and impresses me and the audience,” Meg said.
Meg describes Wayd as a ‘people person’ who seems to know everyone in Cootamundra.
“He would talk to a begger on the streets or the Prime Minister as if they were the same,” Meg said.
“Wayd is a credit to his parents Michael and Gael and is a great asset to have in our town, Cootamundra is lucky to have someone like this young man amongst us,” Meg said.
Wayd’s parents Gael and Michael are thrilled at their son receiving the award.
“What ever Wayd puts his mind to, he throws himself into it 110 per cent,” Gael said.
“Since he was really young, Wayd has always had a caring and generous nature, which is evident with what he does for CanAssist and other charities with his performing,” Gael said.
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