What our local heroes have been up to...

In this and the next issue of Community Connect we profile our Citizen's of the Year from 2011 to 2018. They continue to make a significant contribution through their involvement with various community groups, organisations and events.

Read what they have been up to, and get behind their great initiatives and events.

Col Lee, 2012

What it means to receive the Citizen of the Year Award?

I am extremely proud to be recognised as Ballina Citizen of the Year for 2012. As a local born and bred in Ballina Shire it is a very significant achievement for someone with an extremely humble upbringing on a sugar cane farm. This Award inspired me in remaining active and setting an example to others in community involvement.

What community involvement have you continued since receiving your Award?

I am an active member of the Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond and have been Chairman of the Ballina Food and Wine Festival Committee for the past five years. I still am recognised as the Ballina spokesperson for Our House Accommodation facility in Lismore and am regularly called upon to speak to numerous charitable organisations wanting to make donations to this worthy organisation and the people it cares for.

How can the community support your fundraising efforts?

Attend our Ballina Food and Wine Festival where we give financial support to worthy local charities and organisations in our shire.

Tracey Everingham Armstrong, 2014

What it means to receive the Citizen of the Year Award?

It was a huge honour and surprise. I love my role as a function and fundraising coordinator for people with disabilities and a community in need. It’s fulfilling and humbling and after 19-years I'm as enthusiastic as ever.

What community involvement have you continued since receiving your Award?

I've been fundraising for over 20 years and have contributed over $350,000 to community groups. Since my Award the fundraising has contributed $17,890 towards the Club Lennox reopening, $26,000 towards a new Transitional Room at Biala Support Services, over $4,000 from My High Tea Events to a Guide Dog for Biala Support, a $19,600 Mobility Mat gifted to Northcott Disability Services which is housed at the Ballina Surf Club, and $12,000 shared among Heartfelt House, Molly Appeal and Northcott Disability Services.

How can the community support your fundraising efforts?

I’m hosting my 19th Annual Charity Melbourne Cup Day at the Beef and Beach in Lennox Head.Tickets go on sale Tuesday 3 July and normally sell out by the end of July. Tickets are available from Lechelle Fashion Boutique, Lennox Head, or to book a table guests can contact me on 0401 070 602. You can also find me on Facebook. I want to extend a huge thank you to our wonderful giving community who year after year support my fundraising events. Together we do this!

Dawn Sword, 2016

What it means to receive the Citizen of the Year Award?

I am very aware of all the selfless Ballina Shire citizens who give tirelessly of their time and talents to help those less fortunate than themselves and to be chosen from among these makes me feel very humble but extremely proud of the tremendous honour that the award brings.

What community involvement have you continued since receiving your Award?

I have continued with my work with all of the clubs and groups I have had the pleasure to work with being, East Ballina Lions, VIEW Club, The Hot Meal Centre, Meals on Wheels and the Leo Club.

How can the community support your fundraising efforts?

East Ballina Lions manage the Ballina Community Market on the third Sunday of the month. Funds raised at this event are donated back to the community by the Lions. Community support is essential for the success of the markets and I urge the community to support the markets as an event on the Ballina calendar which will then help the Lions help the less fortunate in our community.

Doug Stinson, 2017

What it means to receive the Citizen of the Year Award?

I was particularly grateful and honoured to receive the Award as I am well aware of the number of outstanding citizens who contribute so much to our local community and, in many cases, go unnoticed. In gaining the Award I believe it gave me greater opportunities to encourage local people to become involved in volunteering and reap the many rewards of their contributions.

What community involvement have you continued since receiving your Award?

If anything my community involvement has increased in the last two years since the Award presentation. In my role as a Cancer Council supporter I have been involved with the development of the Home Visit Support Service for cancer patients and the planned Cancer Council Patient Transport Service. Around twenty volunteers have been trained to visit cancer patients and their carers in their homes and provide friendship and lend a caring ear to their worries and concerns.

How can the community support your fundraising efforts?

To date I have recruited twelve volunteer drivers to be trained in readiness to take on the role of transporting Ballina cancer patients to treatment in Lismore. A vehicle is soon to be purchased by the Cancer Council and the aim is to transfer patients unable to afford the cost of Community Transport and who have no other means of getting to treatment. I would be grateful for more volunteers for this service.

The Ballina Relay for Life is a wonderful event organised entirely by a volunteer committee of dedicated locals. In recent years it has been difficult to recruit new members to this committee and I would be very grateful for further volunteers.If you would like to volunteer for these two programs, or would like to receive assistance from the Home Visit Support Service contact Doug 0412 663 872 or doug.shplan@gmail.com

Why not add your local hero to this amazing line up....

You've read about what some of our previous Citizens of the Year have been up to, now it is time to nominate your local hero. Each year Ballina Shire Council recognises the accomplishments, generosity and contributions of our local heroes through the Australia Day Awards Program.

Categories for nomination include:

- Young Citizen (30 years and under)

- Senior Citizen (60 years and over)

- Local Hero

- Sports Award (group or individual)

- Arts/Cultural

- Community Event

The Citizen of the Year Award is selected by the Australia Day Committee from all of the nominees across the six categories.

It's easy to nominate online at ballina.nsw.gov. au (search Australia Day).

Nominations close Monday 3 December 2018.