Recognising the work, commitment and value that individuals bring to the community is an important and valuable part of celebrating Australians from all walks of life.
This year Tweed introduced a new award to recognise the value that older people bring to their communities as well as the challenges they face. In June 2023 Greens Councillor Dr Nola Firth put forward a motion to Tweed Council to take action on combatting ageism in Tweed and one part of that was creating the Senior Ambassador Award.
‘Ageism is experienced by one in three people according to the Australian Human Rights Commission,’ explained Cr Firth to The Echo.
‘It negatively affects employment, health care, mental health and longevity. The Senior Ambassador’s role is to showcase the huge contribution seniors make in the shire including in leadership, employment, and carer roles. The criterion for the award is substantial individual contribution to the community as well as ability to communicate.’
The inaugural Australia Day Senior Ambassador Award was presented to Heather McClelland by Cr Firth on January 25.
‘Heather is a recently retired therapist and published author on trauma therapy, Heather plays many vital roles in her local Uki community and the broader Tweed. She is a key organiser of many local events; a practising artist and active member of the organising committee of the Images of Uki art exhibition; a founding member of the Uki Refugee Project and an influential member of a local Tweed Valley book club, the Murwillumbah Philharmonic Choir and her local church.’
Citizen of the year
Recognising the importance of community engagement for others the Tweed Citizen of the year went to NSW firefighter and disability support worker Julie Lowe from Kingscliff.
‘When she is not fighting fires, Julie dedicates almost all of her spare time to providing meaningful and innovative activities and support for people in their daily lives,’ said Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry.
Julie has been a NSW Fire and Rescue firefighter for 17 years.
‘I started out in Toronto in Lake Macquarie and then went travelling around Australia and found Kingscliff just over ten years ago,’ Julie told The Echo.
It was in Kingscliff that Julie started working as a disability support worker and four years ago she started her own disability support service Full Circle Support.
‘We mostly run day programs during the week that facilitate learning living skills from fitness and cooking to photography, music and dance. Once a month we do a Sunday session meal and music with friends and we also help people gain employment and education towards employment with support.’
‘Julie’s charity, compassion and conviction to protect and improve the lives of those around her affirm her value in both the Kingscliff and broader Tweed community,’ said Cr Cherry.
‘I was very honoured and humbled as well to receive the award,’ said Julie.
‘I like the close knit community of Kingscliff. It is the best move I’ve ever made.’
Other winners
The 2023 Volunteer of the Year – Individual went to Kate McKenzie. She was co-founder of Fingal Head Coastcare in 1986 and has been a volunteer with the group for 38 years. An Honourable Mention in the 2023 Volunteer of the Year – Individual category went to Kalindi Godden for her volunteering contributions to various community causes, including flood recovery, youth mentoring and community events.
The 2023 Arts and Culture award went to Murwilllumbah Festival of Performing Arts.
The 2023 Community Event of the Year award went to Shepherd’s Purse Theatre Company for their production of Shakespeare in Love.
There were joint winners in the 2023 Sporting Achievement – Individual category. Brendon Moore is a professional tennis player who runs his own tennis academy in Terranora and Damien Delgado, a member of the Bowls Australia Jackaroos Para Squad, was recognised for his outstanding achievements and commitment to his sport. There was also an Honourable Mention in the 2023 Sporting Achievement – Individual category: Liam Gregoraci was recognised for his outstanding contribution and achievements in the sporting community.
The 2023 Sporting Achievement of the Year – Group went to the Centaur Primary School Netball team. An Honourable Mention in the 2023 Sporting Achievement of the Year – Group category went to Murwillumbah Rowing Club.
The 2023 Volunteer of the Year – Group went to the Chinderah Community Hub. This group was awarded for their diligent work over the past 18 months to provide essential support and services to flood-affected members of the Tweed community. There was an Honourable Mention awarded in the 2023 Volunteer of the Year – Group category to Support for New Mums.
The 2023 Young Achiever in Community Service went to Tomas Bowie. A former School Captain at Kingscliff High School, Tomas was recognised for his leadership, work ethic and commitment to community service.
An Honourable Mention in the 2023 Young Achiever in Community Service category went to Chilli Mae Powell. Only 7 years old, Chilli was recognised for her unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation, in particular the Tweed’s endangered Bush-stone curlew population at Pottsville.
