Ballina Shire’s Finest: Local Heroes Shine in Diverse Nominations for Australia Day Awards

For the upcoming Australia Day Awards, Ballina Shire Council has garnered a noteworthy forty nominations spanning seven diverse categories: Young Citizen, Senior Citizen, Volunteer, Sporting Achievement, Environmental, Arts and Culture, and Community Event of 2023.

Among the nominees for Senior Citizen of the Year is Col Lee, recognised for his exceptional contributions post-floods with the Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond. His significant efforts, including the construction of 32 temporary houses, have played a crucial role in aiding individuals who have lost everything in the region. Col Lee and his team have been called upon to extend their assistance to Nimbin, addressing the challenges faced by those living in difficult conditions following landslides.

The Ballina Australia Day Awards ceremony, scheduled for January 26 at Lennox Head Cultural Centre, will commence at 9 am.

The comprehensive list of nominees across categories includes:

• Young Citizen: Imani Hannaford, Lucy Trease, and Tayla Kennedy.
• Senior Citizen: Brenda Zakaras, Colin Lee, Dianne Thompson, Dr Colin Macdonald, Dr Meng Yew Yeo, Jeffrey Gibbs, John Gordon, Veda Dorrough, Warwick Manning, and Yvonne Scarrabelotti.
• Volunteer: Daryl Holmes, David and Robyn Harmon, Ivan Leahy, Ken Delany, Mark Ross, Nikki Powell, Robyne McGlashan, and Wardell Core.
• Sporting Achievement: John Hair (Water Polo), Ray Chapman (Croquet), Rondah Stevenson (Football/Soccer), Scott Jenkins (Rugby Union), Bailey Wilson (Basketball and Athletics), David Scott (Croquet), Joel Taylor (Surfing), Lennox Beach Line Dancing, and Naomi Doncaster (Pickleball).
• Environmental: WardellCORE, The Wildlife Twins, and the Annual Lennox Community Tree Planting Day.
• Arts and Culture Award: Ballina Contemporary Art Market, Ballina Players, and Ballina Shire Concert Band.
• Community Event of 2023: A Night of Elegance James Bond (Tracey Everingham Armstrong), DV Walk (Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond), Flood Recovery Temporary Housing (Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond), Future Fit Our Dementia Community (Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance Inc), One Year On (Wardell Core), and Purple Friday (Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond and Cherry Street Sports).

The Australia Day ceremony, scheduled for January 26 at Lennox Head Cultural Centre, will commence at 9 am. The event will culminate with the announcement of the 2024 Ballina Shire Citizen of the Year. The proceedings will feature a Welcome to Country by Bundjalung elder Aunty Julia Paden, along with an official welcome to 18 new Australian citizens from various countries. The Lennox Head Lions Club will enhance the celebration by hosting a BBQ and music in Ross Park, Lennox Head.

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