Nominees Announced for the 2025 Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards

By Jeff Gibbs

Ballina Shire Council invites the community to join in celebrating ordinary people doing extraordinary things at this year’s Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony. The event will take place at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre on Sunday, 26 January 2025, starting at 9am.

Celebrating Our Community

The ceremony will open with a Welcome to Country, followed by a citizenship ceremony to welcome 12 new Australians from diverse backgrounds, including Argentina, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

The highlight of the event will be the 2025 Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards, honouring individuals and community groups who contribute to making Ballina Shire a better place to live. One nominee from across all categories will be crowned Citizen of the Year.

Special Guests and Performances

Attendees will enjoy a performance by talented singer Katie Rutledge and be guided through the event by Sandra Jackson, a popular announcer from 101.9 Paradise FM, who returns as the ceremony’s host.

Family Fun in Lennox Park

After the ceremony, the Lennox Head Lions Club will host a BBQ and music at Lennox Park. Pack your picnic blanket, swimmers, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon celebrating Australia Day with friends and family.

Australia Day: A Time to Celebrate

Australia Day is a time to reflect on our shared history, celebrate our achievements, and honour the multicultural identity that unites us as a nation. Whether through sharing a meal, attending an event, or relaxing in the park, it’s an opportunity to appreciate the proud and ancient traditions of this land and its people.

2025 Australia Day Award Nominees

This year’s awards saw over 40 nominations across eight categories, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication within the community. Categories include:

• Local Hero
• Young Citizen of the Year
• Senior Citizen of the Year
• Volunteer of the Year
• Sports Achievement
• Arts and Culture
• Environmental Contribution
• Community Event of the Year

The full list of nominees will be unveiled at the event, recognising the efforts of those who go above and beyond for the Ballina Shire community.

Join us on Australia Day to celebrate local heroes, welcome new citizens, and embrace all that is wonderful about living in Ballina Shire!

For more information, visit the Ballina Shire Council website or follow their social media channels.

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Ballina Shire Council Seeks New Ward Committee Members for 2025

By Robert Heyward

Ballina Shire Council is calling for expressions of interest to join its Ward Committees for 2025. These committees are vital conduits between the Council and the community, ensuring residents have a voice in local decision-making.

How Ward Committees Work

Ballina Shire is divided into three wards — A, B, and C — for election purposes. The Council comprises a popularly elected Mayor and three councillors from each ward, totalling ten councillors.

The Ward Committees are community-based groups that provide feedback to ward councillors and the broader Council on local issues and initiatives. These committees are composed of representatives from local not-for-profit community groups and meet regularly throughout the year to discuss topics ranging from infrastructure and development to environmental concerns and community events.

Meeting Schedule

Ward Committees meet five times a year, in March, May, July, September, and November.

• A Ward: Second Tuesday of the month at 4:00 pm.
• B Ward: Third Monday of the month at 4:30 pm.
• C Ward: Second Thursday of the month at 5:00 pm.

Why Join a Ward Committee?

Participating in a Ward Committee offers an opportunity to:

• Provide direct input on community matters.
• Foster two-way communication between the Council and residents.
• Help shape decisions that impact your ward and the Shire at large.

How to Apply

Council is now seeking new members for its Ward Committees. Current members do not need to reapply. Applications will be reviewed and presented to Council for endorsement. Submissions close Monday, 10 February 2025.

For more information, including a Ward boundary map, the 2025 meeting schedule, and the application form, visit here.

Take this opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to your community and ensure your voice is heard in shaping the future of Ballina Shire.

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Sign returned after 75 years

By Samantha Elley

For as long as she can remember, Julie Clark was aware of the wooden sign that hung over the barbeque area at her parents’ home in Lynches Creek.

It simply said ‘Ballina Bowling Club’ and was witness to many a family gathering and barbeque.

Last week, however, the sign was returned from where it originally came, to Cherry Street Bowling Club in Ballina and the story of its disappearance unfolded.

When Frank and Thelma McQueen lived in Ballina they were part of the bowling club and the sign was on the fence of the original club.

The sign is unveiled by Dorothy McQueen and her sister Jan Berridge.

“They then bought the fence when the club was being rebuilt,” said Julie, their grand-daughter.

The sign then travelled from Ballina to Lynches Creek when the McQueens moved west and became part of the family history.

Recently Julie’s mum, Dorothy McQueen was decluttering and decided the sign needed to return home.

With the chance to have a family gathering, aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings came from as far as Brisbane and Dalby to be part of the unveiling and bring the sign home.

“Ballina Bowling Club came about in 1910 when a few men got together to play blows,” said Ross McNamara, secretary of the men’s bowling club.

“All the members are really pleased at the sign’s return as it’s a part of the club’s history.

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Launch your career with Ballina Shire Council’s 2025 Apprentice, Trainee, and Cadet Opportunities

Are you ready to kickstart your career or explore an exciting new direction? Ballina Shire Council is now accepting applications for its 2025 Apprentice, Trainee, and Cadet programs, starting in January 2025.

“At Ballina Shire Council we are dedicated to developing the next generation of local talent by creating opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and advance,” said General Manager, Paul Hickey.

“Our Apprentice, Trainee, and Cadet programs offer diverse career pathways across both office and field-based roles, making it an ideal way to build a rewarding career.”

“This is your opportunity to earn while you learn, gain a nationally recognised qualification, and contribute to meaningful projects that make a real difference to our community,” Mr. Hickey said. Available career pathways include:

Apprenticeships:

• Carpentry
• Civil Construction: Concrete Construction and Drainage, Road Construction and Road Maintenance
• Engineering Fabrication
• Electrical

Traineeships:

• Airport Facilities
• Arboriculture
• Building Inspector
• Horticulture
• Information Technology
• Waste Management

Cadetships:

• Accountant
• Environmental Health
• Legal

These placements offer a unique opportunity to earn while you learn, combining hands-on experience with nationally recognised qualifications. With flexible work arrangements and a strong focus on workplace wellbeing, the program provides a balanced schedule, enabling participants to split their time between on-the-job training and paid study leave.

Council’s Apprentices, Trainees and Cadets gain practical experience by working on meaningful projects under the guidance of experienced mentors. Along the way, they build valuable skills and expand their professional networks in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Take the next step

Apply today and join a team dedicated to shaping the future of our community. For more information and to submit your application, visit here.

Application Details:

• Applications Close: Monday, 6 January 2025
• Interviews: Monday, 13 January – Friday 17 January 2025
• Offers Made: Week beginning Monday 20 January 2025
• Commencement Date: Monday 3 February 2025

$25,000 worth of more meals to be served for those in need

By Samantha Elley

For the past 27 years the Ballina Hot Meal Centre has been feeding the unloved, the homeless  and the vulnerable within the shire.

Over that time they have seen an increase in demand for their services with 300 meals prepared over the two days per week the centre is opened, by purely volunteer workers.

The NSW government has recognised the work of these superheroes and will be donating $25,000 to fund this much needed service.

Some of the volunteers have been with the Ballina Hot Meal Centre since its inception, according to general manager, Dawn Sword.

“All of whom provide a warm and welcoming environment where they feed those in need, not just with food but with kindness and hope,” she said.

“We are so grateful for the continual support and advocacy from our local member, Tamara Smith, who has helped us to secure this much needed funding from the Premier.

“Without this funding it would have been a struggle to keep our doors and kitchen open to continue servicing the community at a time when it is most needed.”

“We know people are doing it tough,” said Premier of NSW, Chris Minns.

“Now more than ever, organisations like the Ballina Hot Meal Centre are a lifeline in our regional communities.”

Member for Ballina, Tamara Smith is pleased at the government’s response.

“This funding not only keeps the centre open for another year but it lifts the morale of the volunteers who keep it going,” she said.

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