24.3 C
Byron Shire
March 27, 2024

Ballina community legends to be recognised

Latest News

Splendour 2024 cancelled

It's offical, Splendour in the Grass 2024 has been cancelled.

Other News

Workshop in Creative Writing For Beginners

Have you always felt like you have a novel in you, but don’t know where to start? Or have...

Mayoral casting vote gets Lismore’s Affordable Housing Strategy over the line

At the recent Lismore City Council meeting former Mayor Vanessa Ekins and councillor Elly Bird moved the motion to introduce an Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme and submit it to the state government for a gateway determination. 

Lismore Labor MP called out over native forest logging

More than five hundred people marched in the rain through Lismore to the local state member’s office in protest against government sanctioned native forest logging on Sunday.

Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival

Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival returns to Byron Bay in May, and this year ‘locals favourite’ pub...

The power of the people is much stronger than the people in power

‘I feel so powerless,’ a friend said. It’s an understandable sentiment in the face of tragic situations out of our individual control, but there are things people can do to effect change, especially when we come together as a community. 

‘Smooth stroking’ Rainbow Dragons earn trophies

Rainbow Dragons (Lennox Head Ballina) won three trophies and had a fantastic weekend of fun, fitness and friendship at Grafton Dragon Boat Club’s regatta earlier in March.

Ballina Shire Australia Day Ceremony in 2022, performance by Narelle Harris, Dean Doyle and Katie Rutledge. Photo supplied.

This Thursday, Ballina will recognise members of the local community who have stepped up in the last twelve months, with the Australia Day Awards.

Ballina Council says it’s inviting everyone to come along and congratulate the award winners, welcome our newest citizens, and reflect on how the community has banded together to recover from the pandemic and devastating 2022 floods.

Katie Rutledge. Photo Daralyn Jones.

The event will be held at Lennox Head Cultural Centre, commencing at 9am, and will feature performances by Ballina’s own opera star Katie Rutledge and young Alstonville singer and songwriter Levi Maxwell.

Ballina Shire Council says it’s delighted to have both netballer Liz Ellis and Paradise FM’s Sandra Jackson return as co-hosts for this year’s ceremony.

Mayor Cadwallader

Councillor Sharon Cadwallader told The Echo, ‘We have had a lot of nominations, which is always wonderful, because it means that those people have been recognised for the role they’ve played in their volunteerism, or just for what they’ve done and been able to achieve throughout the year.

‘It’s certainly an important day on our calendar,’ she said.

Is it difficult to choose from so many nominees? ‘It’s always a most difficult process,’ said Cr Cadwallader. ‘In fact, it becomes so difficult that we have to share awards from time to time.’

Threatened species ecologist Maria Matthes. Photo David Lowe.

Despite the controversy of the day itself, there’s no doubt that the Australia Day Awards shine a spotlight on community members who are doing important work that might not otherwise be widely known, such as last year’s citizen of the year, koala champion Maria Matthes.

Australia Day Award

This year over fifty nominations were received, across the categories of Sporting Achievement, Arts and Cultural, Volunteering, Young Citizen, Senior Citizen, Community Event, and Environment. All will be recognised and celebrated on the day.

Following is the complete list of nominees.

Senior Citizen of the Year: Anna Dicker, Kerrie Gray, Brian Alston and Joyce Emmett.

Volunteer of the Year: Ballina State Emergency Service, Bonita Avery and Cheryl Morton, Douglas Townsend, Emma Tiaitia, Ballina Shire Flood Recovery Distribution Hub; Garry, John and Joshua Joblin; Helga Hawkes, Jackson Connellan, Joan Gibson, Kelli-Ann Potts, Lennox Head Lions Club, Mark Ross, Michele Robertson, Rex and Di Farrell, Robyn Hargrave, Ruth Henderson, Sue Chapman and Terry Hodgetts.

Nominee Jackson Connellan from The Healthy Minds Club at Lennox Head. Photo David Lowe.

Young Citizen of the Year: Chai Healy, Illarah Roberts, Jackson Connellan, Lachlan Jones.

Community Event of 2022: Ballina Shire Meals on Wheels Social Activities Program, Community Mental Health Symposium – Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond, Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance Advisory Group Weekly Activities, Lennox Head Lions Club Flood Relief and Recovery, Quota Alstonville Craft & Garden Fair, and Resonator Music – School Showcase 2022.

Sports Achievement: Alexander Crimmins – Athletics, All Girls Surfriders Lennox Head, Alstonville Water Polo, Briony Leonard – Little Athletics, Emma Tiatia – Volleyball, Julie Davies – Netball, Kim Pickering – Pickleball, Lennox Beach Line Dancers, Mary Davis – Dragon Boat Racing, Team Butcher Off Road Racing Team and Tyler Dogan – Athletics.

Arts and Cultural Award: Daniel Roberts, Marcus Ferguson and Tania Marlowe – Ballina Airport Public Artworks, Tania Marlowe and Debra Cole – Jugan Dandii Weaving Collective, Marcus Ferguson – Nyangbal Cultural Knowledge Holder and Teacher.

Marlon Denning and octopus friend. Photo supplied.

Environmental Award: Empire Vale Public School – Reusable Cup Trays, Marlon Denning – Rock Pool Waltz Nature Documentary, Rotary Satellite Club of Ballina Lifestyle, The Wildlife Twins.

The awards ceremony will conclude with the announcement of the 2023 Ballina Shire Citizen of the Year (chosen from all the categories above).

Transportation is available for community members unable to drive to the venue. For details contact Ballina Council’s Communications Team on 1300 864 444.

The event will also be livestreamed, to watch visit Ballina Shire Council’s website at: ballina.nsw.gov.au/AustraliaDay.


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

We just love him!

If you’re over 50 you might not be a fan of Tom Jones, but you can bet your mum is. If you’re under 40 you might not even know who he is, but your grandmother probably wet her pants at the mere mention of his name.

Peter Garrett gives Bluesfest the nod

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit. 

Save Wallum finalist in NSW 2024 environment awards

The Save Wallum campaign has been named as a finalist in the Nature Conservation Council of NSW Environment Awards 2024. The award ceremony will be held in Sydney tonight, and Save Wallum spokesperson and ecologist James Barrie will be attending with Tegan Kitt, another founding member of the group.

New report highlights gaps in rural and remote health

The second annual Royal Flying Doctor Service ‘Best for the Bush, Rural and remote Health Base Line’ report has just been released. Presenting the latest data on the health of rural and remote Australians and evidence on service gaps, it identifies issues in urgent need of attention from service providers, funders, partners and policy makers.