Nominated by the Barellan Working Clydesdales Committee, Bruce was also nominated for the Senior Citizen of the Year.
He was presented with his award by Australia Day Ambassador Emma Rossi at the Australia Day ceremony on January 26 at Marie Bashir Park, Narrandera.
Bruce serves as president of the Barellan Working Clydesdales, a committee he spearheaded in 2010 for the first Good Old Days Festival.
He thanked the Narrandera Shire Council, the Barellan community and helpers for getting behind the MND Tribute to the Teams Drive.
Barellan Working Clydesdales member Kevin Morris received the Citizen of the Year Award for his tireless work over decades in the Barellan community.
The Tribute to the Teams Drive is held each year in the week leading up to the Good Old Days Festival and draws horse, bullock, camel, donkey and mule teams from all around Australia for a 100 km trek.
People are invited to accompany Bruce’s horse drawn wagon with their own horse, bullock, camel, donkey, mule and goat teams on the drive to experience camping under the stars, mateship, gaining new skills and creating new friendships with like-minded people.
Bruce said the Tribute to the Teams Drive was instigated following a Barellan resident being diagnosed with the disease.
The drive also helps settle the big teams in harness before the festival each year.
“Barellan is the best little town in Australia in my opinion,” Bruce said. “I’m very proud to receive this award – the drive takes a bit of work, but we all get it done.”
In 2024, the Tribute to the Teams Drive started at Barellan, travelled to Weethalle at the rate of 15/km per day. Participants took part in the Weethalle Centenary Show before heading to Barellan for an auction of goods donated by the community to raise $14,000.
Bruce is looking forward to holding the Tribute to the Teams Drive in late September 2025.
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Caption: Barellan Working Clydesdales members Bruce Bandy and Kevin Morris with their Australia Day awards.