Arts leader Valley’s top citizen

spends almost as much time applying for funding for the club to improve its lawns and buy playing equipment.

Peter had a stroke several years ago and was delighted to find croquet was the perfect game to help people recover from their affliction.

“Aspects of the game, like the hand-eye coordination needed to hit the ball and the thought processes involved in the game, turned out to be perfect therapy for stroke recovery,” he said.

a humbling and “totally surprising” experience.

“I’m grateful that music and the arts has been recognised as much as anything,” he said.

“What we’ve achieved has been a real challenge and I am only a part of it.

“But it is nice to get the recognition for the work I get to do.”

Junior Citizen of the Year

ahead a strong field of candidates made up of Ashby emergency services and environment champion Barbara Winters, Townsend Women’s Shed founder Doreen Plymin and Happy Paws Haven owner Sally Rogers.

Prior to Mr Wills’ arrival in 2016, Grafton’s two theatres mostly operated independently, with some sharing of talented actors and singers.

He soon volunteered as musical director for numerous musicals at both theatres, boosting their collaboration and giving both groups a share of his wealth of expertise.

The shows proved to be hits selling out every time.

He has continued to support the wellestablished scholarship programs for students to further their studies.

During COVID he researched and initiated technology that would allow individual and group lessons to continue between the tutors and students.

Mr Wills showed himself to be a hands-on leader who showed initiative leading from the front.

He developed a rapport with younger students, but maintained high standards and continually strove for for excellence in everything he set out to do.

Mr Wills described receiving the award as entrants and assisting with organising events.

She also finds time to support and encourage her senior peers and for many years she has volunteered her time to enhance Maclean community events

Valley Local Hero has shown there is a lot more to the sport of croquet than a putting balls through hoops.

An unabashed devotee of the sport, Peter Martin has spent countless hours building up the

The Junior Citizen of the Year, Nicole Cowling, said she was “more than a little bit overwhelmed to receive her award.

“It’s nice to have the and has helped obtain sponsorships to assist with covering costs. recognition, although that’s not why you do these things,” she said.

Behind the scenes Ms Cowling works tirelessly as a committee person or member of the Maclean Show Society supporting youth and helping them recognise opportunities to succeed.

Ms Cowling has already racked up years of achievements in the Lower Clarence community.

She has represented Maclean as a junior and senior showgirl.

As well she helps organise the Highland Gathering dance section, supporting young female

Recently she was successful in obtaining a scholarship with the Next Gen’ to represent and participate in the annual NSW/QLD Ag Shows Conference.

The only other junior nominee was Charlie Beadman for her work volunteering and fund raising for aged care and cancer research.

Clarence Valley Local Hero

The 2023 Clarence game he loves in his home village of Coutts Crossing, where he can be found most days

“I’ve seen people at the Coutts Crossing club use croquet to help in their recovery and I’ve been spreading the word around NSW.” mowing lawns, weeding and organising working bees.

Peter has been determined to share the good news to all age groups in the community and has recruited the Seniors Club, Bush Walkers and other groups to play croquet.

Spurred by his example, croquet clubs have also formed at Yamba and Lawrence.

“It’s the only sport people over 80 can take up for the first time,” he said.

After sundown he

Other nominees for local hero were Happy Paws Haven owner Sally Rogers, Clarence cricket stalwart Bruce Baxter, Grafton Rural Fire Service icon Mick Rogan, Happy Paws Haven volunteer Robyn McCabe and Iluka’s Warren Dawson for his incredible courage and tenacity during the flood emergency in his home town last

Community Achievement

The past year has thrown out an incredible number of challenges to the 24 Grafton Army Cadet Unit and it has accepted with set up and pack down of materials for more than 600 people at the ball and setting up the 140 market stalls, mostly done with cadet help.

Maj Benfield said