Citizen of the Year
Wendy Mills
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Wendy is an instrumental coordinator in raising funds for the drought stricken farmers in the west. She has spent countless hours organising bales of hay, stock feed, Christmas hampers, gift cards, non-perishable and fresh food and assisting in the setup of new quarters for the Tamworth based “Doing It For Our Farmers” organization.
Wendy has also assisted in many other community events including:
- Organizing a Charity Golf Day.
- The 2018 Kokoda Challenge raising funds for troubled youth
- Part of Mums from Macksville group who donate care packages for those in need.
- Assisting Nambucca Heads Lions Club in their daily cleaning of barbecues on Stuart Island and Bellwood Park.
- Helping the Parkinson's Support Group with fund raising activities
- Joint coordinator for the Australia Day Fun Day.
Junior Citizen of the Year
Jack Sullivan
Jack is currently studying his HSC at Bowraville Central School and is described as a truly outstanding young man who helps everyone in the community. He also goes above and beyond to support his peers and the staff at School.
Following are some of Jack’s achievements:
- Primary, Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary School Captain
- Long term member of the Student Representative Council
- ANZAC Day speaker and school representative at Remembrance Day
- Hosting his own 2NVR Radio show
- 2017 recipient of the John Lincoln Youth Community Service Award
- Student facilitator of positive behaviour at school
- Assisting with Carols by Candlelight in Bowraville
- Participant in the Rotary RYSTARS camp
- Co-creator of anti bullying video in 2016
- Mentor for Primary School students through the SMILE program
- Leading contributor to school’s Clean Up Australia Day team
Senior Citizen of the Year
Jeanette Welsh
Jeanette is always first to put her hand up if help is needed, she has also been a member of the Lions Club of Macksville for the past 29 and a half years, where she has been a hearty, robust and willing worker in any Club events. She has held all positions in the club, including president a massive seven times.
Jeanette can always be seen at barbecues selling raffle tickets, Lions Christmas cakes, busily raising funds for the community.
Jeanette is a life member of the Macksville and District Horticultural Show Society and the Nambucca Show Ladies Sub Committee.
The Talarm area has gained with Jeanette and her husband Robert. Jeanette is the current president of the Committee of Management for the Talarm Hall Committee.
Cultural achievement
Lissa Argue
Lissa has a huge impact on the lives of many residents of the Nambucca Valley community through her voluntary work as director/conductor of the Bowraville Theatre Singers – a choir which presently draws from Valla, Bowraville and Scotts Head.
At the two-hour choir rehearsals each week, she brings the joy of singing to everyone, no matter what their musical background, experience and ability, and is always enthusiastic and keen to make rehearsals a fun experience.
Lissa has led the choir for the past ten years and produced concerts each year as well as performances at Anzac Day services in Bowraville.
She spends many hours at home finding and preparing new music and recording all the parts so the singers can practice at home.
If you visit Macksville Hospital you may find Lissa in the Hospital’s Auxiliary café, making coffee and sandwiches.
Lissa is highly regarded by those she works with for her enthusiasm, her expertise, dedication and joy, never seeking reward.
Good neighbours
Pauline McShane
Pauline is an honest, caring person. She is well known in the district having run the TAB for many years.
She is always keen to help anyone in need, taking care of others who don’t have anyone to care for them.
Pauline frequently visits the nursing homes with food baskets for the bereaved.
Greg and Heather Welsh
Greg and Heather have shown to be always willing to assist their neighbours and the local community in general.
They have worked tirelessly to assist one particular neighbour during difficult times. Despite having their own property to maintain, they have provided ongoing, almost daily assistance in home chores, transport and shopping.
They are truly good neighbours.
Brett and Lisa George
Brett and Lisa have been helpful and supportive neighbours to Sandy and Cynthia. They enjoy ensuring Sandy is going along well and assist him in maintaining his home and gardens.
Nola Ryan
Nola demonstrates a positive attitude and spirit in all aspects of her life. She is generous with praise, with smiles, and with love. Nola makes time to understand people’s feelings and experiences.
She visits people in hospital or at home; runs errands and is a terrific listener. To these people, she might give a smile, a hug, a kind word, a prayer, an encouraging note or a bunch of flowers.
When you are too ill to cook Nola appears with a home-cooked meal. Giving takes time, it takes Nola out of her way, but giving and self-sacrifice are all part of her love for other people.
A close friend of Nola’s said, “Nola is the most caring person in the community who has helped me so much since moving to Bowraville, she is an angel”.
Services to the Community, individuals
Noel Short
For many years Noel has driven the RSL bus voluntarily for patrons to visit and return home safely while also providing transport to weddings, funerals or sporting events.
Noel also volunteers at the Bowraville Races, driving visitors to and from the races, without this service the Bowraville Races would suffer significantly. He also drives the “Goanna’s” Rugby team to their games.
Barry Noble
Barry is well known and respected in the Nambucca area having lived here all his life.
He has used his musical talents to entertain people for many years, having started in the early ’60s at the Golden Sands Hotel. He has entertained at various venues over the years, sometimes in a voluntary capacity.
Melody Ng
Melody moved to the Valley nine years ago and joined the Nambucca Valley Cancer Support group.
She offers her kitchen to the Support Group and donates ingredients for the preparation of jams and pickles, which are also sold in the foyer of her motel.
Judy Ward
Judy has shown consistent dedication and support to the residents of the Valley.
No matter what the cause is, she always goes above and beyond to supply a venue, staff and whatever else may be needed.
Over the last three years, her loyal support in hosting events and Christmas Markets for local small businesses has helped raise much-needed community funds, such as the hospital, education support for the View Club and more recently for the farmers.
Dorothy Channells
Dorothy is a long time resident of Bowraville and has always been charitable. She is an active member of the local Anglican Church community.
Dorothy also runs a social craft group in Bowraville, where women of the community come together for social contact and to make knitted and crochet goods for the homeless, returned soldiers and blankets and toys for children in hospitals and cancer patients.
Dorothy is a dedicated, active member of the local social enterprise activity Nambucca Valley Boomerang Bags and regularly participates in the weekly sewing bees, helps out at market stalls and sews lots of bags at home.
When Dorothy takes her regular walks around the Bowraville township you will see her collecting rubbish discarded on our roadsides.
Dee Daley and Neil Green
Dee and Neil Green provide a food service to the needy of Bowraville. They pick up leftover bread and food from the supermarkets 4 mornings a week and distribute it to families in need and going through hardship in the area. They do this without hope of reward and donate their time and money for the cause.
Dee and Neil are truly dedicated to helping people in Bowraville.
Noel Mackay
Noel has been a member of the Bowraville Recreation Club for over 35 years and is one of the longest continual members in the Clubs history, he was awarded lifetime membership at the 2018 annual general meeting.
Noel has been on the Board of Directors, golf Captain for many years, but above all, has been a continual volunteer worker around the Golf and Bowling Club.
Noel works 6 days a week, 6 hours a day on the course, on a volunteer basis.
He undertakes slashing fairways, maintaining greens, maintaining serviceability of the course machinery, arranging golfing days for young and old both at the Club and away venues. He does coring, sanding, weed control, water pumps and the reticulation system, and the general appearance of the course.
It is hard to know how much Noel’s dedication has saved the club and there is no doubt that his volunteer service over 35 years has helped the club stay financially viable. His efforts have certainly kept a community sporting venue going and in good condition, all this at 84 years young and still going strong.
Paul Laverty and Ronald Neaves
The Macksville Ex-Service Club has been collecting donations of grocery items, water, pet food, animal feed and Christmas gifts to assist the drought-stricken farmers in western NSW.
The Club has been working with the “Doing it for our Farmers” volunteer organisation to distribute these items that were collected.
Paul and Ronald heard of the donation drive and immediately offered their vehicles and time to load and transport the goods to the drop off collection agency in Tamworth. Between the 2 of them, they have taken 7 loads.
The Club and the “Doing it for our Farmers” organisation are very appreciative of their efforts, and they both embody the true “Aussie” spirit of getting in and lending a hand.
Ivan Noble
Ivan is a fourth generation resident of the Nambucca Valley farming community. Ivan has for many years displayed a natural desire to help others in our community.
Ivan has been very helpful to the farming community both with his knowledge and ability with cattle, grazing and pasture. He is very quick to lend assistance to the seniors by helping with chores around the house and farm.
Ivan enjoys transporting sick and elderly people to various medical appointments both in the Nambucca Valley and Coffs Harbour. It is common for Ivan to turn up at many people’s homes with fresh vegetables, a piece of pork or some beef.
Ivan is happy to deliver medications from Bowraville Pharmacy to people who are unable to pick them up themselves.
We are very fortunate to have Ivan in our Valley taking care of many people, particularly those who are ill and partners of deceased friends.
Sandra Gaddes
Sandra has been a tireless working lady for all her life. After the loss of their daughter, Sandra joined and contributed significantly to “Compassionate Friends” helping families deal with loss.
Sandra has been on the Board of Directors at the Nambucca River Co-op for many years and demonstrates her local pride and knowledge to our Valley in a caring and dependable way.
Sandra was honoured for all her work with the Macksville Show Committee by opening the 2016 Macksville Show, she has been a member for 41 years.
Catering is her specialty and she spends her days and weeks planning, purchasing, cooking and serving food to the public for all their functions.
Sandra is always there for her family and friends, never failing to turn up with a basket full of her famous scones, whipped cream and jam. She has broad shoulders and is always there for any friend in need even through very tough times of her own.
Lauren Riddington
Lauren is an active and committed member of the Nambucca Shire Community. She has taken on numerous volunteer roles supporting local families.
Lauren was active and held executive positions with the Valla Preschool Committee.
One of Lauren’s most significant achievements is the resurrection of the Valla Play Group. From 2016-2018 she worked tirelessly to raise funds and re-establish a useable space for the Play Group to meet weekly.
Lauren has joined the Nambucca District Little A’s committee, further supporting the local children and families in sport.
Lauren also participates at the school with the reading program, raising funds for the school and in any other way where required. She is a very caring, kind and responsible member of the local community.
Services to the Community, organisations:
Lions Club of Nambucca Heads
In April of 2018 the Lions Club of Nambucca Heads celebrated 50 years of service to our Community. The Club is supported by 39 members, their partners and the community.
Over the past 2 years the Lions members have maintained ten barbecues in five Parks, constructed a jetty at Anzac Park, organized Australia Day, catered various events as they occur in the Shire, helped with the provision of Christmas Hampers to troops overseas, donated funds toward children for water safety and aquatic centre, helped with graffiti removal and supported many youth projects.
In 2018 the Club donated $15,470 to organisations and charities in the Valley.
Future ambitions include refurbishment of the Lions Park viewing platform, paths and shelter. While also fundraising for a shelter and barbecues at Bellwood Park.
The Club values the support of the Nambucca Shire Council, community organisations, RSL Club, businesses and the community.
Junior Male Sportsperson
Declan Sutton
Declan was nominated for his ongoing outstanding achievements in swimming. He is extremely dedicated to his training and always shows the utmost respect for his peers, coaches and parents. His sportsmanship is second to none.
Declan has completed many carnivals up and down the coast competing and coming away with many gold medals.
Junior Female Sportsperson
Leah Pickvance
Leah represents her school and town to the best of her ability every time she swims. She is a very valued member of the Macksville Marlins and very respectful to her coaches and supportive of her teammates.
Leah trains at the Macksville Memorial Aquatic Centre and puts in many hours for her chosen sport of swimming. Her results this year have been outstanding.
Leah has competed in numbers carnivals including the School Sports Australian National Championships held in Hobart receiving Gold placement.
Senior Sports, male
Macksville Men’s pennant team
When the Macksville Men’s pennant team won their Grade 6 division in the 2018 season, they proceeded to take on and defeat Sawtell and Comboyne in the regional playoffs.
They overcame both of these strong opponents to earn the right to represent Zone 14 in the State Pennant playoffs at Nelson Bay.
Reaching the State Pennant playoffs at Nelson Bay was a considerable achievement, but there were bigger and better things to come.
They won their section which included teams from Wentworthville Leagues, Trangie and Muswellbrook. There were over two days of round-robin competition to progress to the semi-finals.
The best of all was taking on Nelson Bay at their home ground and winning comfortably, and for the first time in the Club’s 70 year history reaching the final of the NSW State Pennant competition.
Needless to say, they have brought much joy and pride to the community and deserve our hearty congratulations.
Senior Sports, female
Macksville Falcons Under 20’s Women’s representative team
The three-day tournament of the NSW Senior State Cup Women’s 20’s Division is the largest Senior touch tournament in the world with more than 330 teams competing. It is the premier touch football tournament for seniors in NSW each year.
In December 2016 the average age was 15 years and went all the way to win the Grand Finals (2nd Division) which placed them 9th best in NSW at under 20’s level.
In December 2017 the team was made up of nearly the same team with an average age of 16 years. They reached the quarter-finals and this placed them in the top 6 teams in NSW at under 20’s level.
December 2018 contained many players from the previous 2 years with new players also being selected into the team.
The team won 6 out of 7 games during the year and won the Semi-Finals. Then they were defeated by Manly in the Grand Final (a team that have won this division for the past 11 years).
This team has consistently displayed improvement at the highest levels of touch football in NSW. Having worked their way from the State ranking of 9 th in 2016 are now ranked 2nd best team in the State. A very determined and consistent team who also train and play with great sportsmanship and pride.
Environmental award
Gai Nowland
Gai arrived in Bowraville three years ago and immediately joined the Bowraville Community Garden, bringing her enthusiasm for permaculture, environmental sustainability and living lightly.
She is a crucial community connector between the garden, community members, school and environmental groups like Landcare.
Through these collaborations, Gai has led many workshops and social events, bringing people across the town together. Gai continues to be one of the most regular volunteers and leaders, she is always prepared to do all the hard and dirty work. She can be regularly seen carting heaving equipment to and from the site, to get the job done.
Gai helped with the establishment of the Nambucca Valley Boomerang bags in 2017 and the group has made over 1,000 bags, contributing to the reduction in landfill.
Congratulations to Gai on this award in the newly added category.