The Northern Rivers Times
October 19, 2023
14 NEWS
Byron Bay community worker named 2023 NSW Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year
HE LEFT A LARGE LEGACY TO LITERATURE AND ART Title: The Man Behind the Prize Author: Paul J Greguric Price: $19.95 Publisher: Shawline Publishing By Samantha Elley Have you ever wondered why it is called The Archibald Prize? This is the event that is held every year in the Art Gallery of NSW, visited by thousands of Sydneysiders and tourists, to view the offerings from artists of portraits of famous Australians. Then there is the Archibald fountain in Hyde Park. Both the prize and the fountain are an enduring legacy to a man who was the founding editor of the Australia’s most iconic magazine and newspaper, The Bulletin. In his latest book Paul Greguric delves into and shares the life of J.F. Archibald. While not much is known about the man behind the prize, Greguric does an excellent job of revealing his history and possibly his motivations throughout his working life. As editor of The Bulletin, Archibald uncovered and nurtured the careers of many Australian writers and artists, who are today well known for their craft.
Writers and artists such as Miles Franklin, Banjo Paterson, Norman Linday and Henry Lawson, all felt the encouragement of Archibald as he informed and entertained 19th century Australians through early media. In 1900 Archibald commissioned John Longstaff, an artist from Melbourne to paint a portrait of Henry Lawson for 50 guineas. He was so impressed with the portrait, he put aside money in his will to continue an annual portrait prize which was first awarded in 1921. When he started writing his book on the life of J.F. Archibald, Greguric was living in a men’s shelter. He would go to the library every day to write and research his book, then head back to the shelter at night. He grew up in Adelaide and studied at Sydney University. After graduating Greguric taught English in NSW high schools for more than 20 years. He has published both fiction and non-fiction articles in newspapers and magazines and now lives in the Sydney suburb of Waterloo. You can order the book from shawlinepublishing. com.au
Fletcher Street Cottage community worker Amanda Peters has been named the 2023 Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year, for her personal commitment and support for the growing number of people sleeping rough throughout the Byron Bay region. The recognition is part of the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, one of the largest celebrations of volunteering across the country. The awards are run by The Centre for Volunteering to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of volunteers working across all sections of communities throughout the state. The Northern Rivers regional award winners for individual and team categories were also announced today at a special ceremony in Tweed Heads. 2023 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award recipients for the Northern Rivers region are: Young Volunteer of the Year - Justine Foldi from Tweed Heads Nineteen-year-old Justine Foldi gives her time with the Agape Outreach Service Op Shop, helping to sort clothes and household items for sale. Money raised from the shop is the main source of funding for the outreach service, which helps people in need, or without a home, with hot meals, laundry and showering, hampers, job-ready training and access to other community services. Justine’s volunteering helps Agape provide support to people
in need from the border to Byron Bay. Adult Volunteer of the Year - John Maloney from Lismore North Coast Radio volunteer presenter John Maloney has been helping people stay connected with vital community services, support, and emergency information for more than forty years. The community radio presenter volunteers twice a week, also helping to raise money for local causes and to protect and share local Lismore history via his community Facebook page. John is a vital source of information during emergency events. He continued to broadcast during the recent devastating floods in 2022 until he was rescued by boat. Senior Volunteer of the Year – Amanda Peters from Byron Bay Amanda Peters coordinates the work of 40 volunteers at the Fletcher Street Cottage in Byron Bay, providing cooked meals and fresh food, emergency relief and referrals, and showers and laundry facilities for people sleeping rough or in need of help. She provides an extra level of care and understanding for people and their personal adversity and circumstances that help to restore dignity, improve well-being, and connect people with life-changing services. Volunteer Team of the Year – The Pink Ladies – Tweed Heads The nine members of the Pink Ladies volunteer team operate a laundry service for patients in
Northern Rivers - Amanda Peters (Senior)
need at the Tweed Heads Hospital, washing, folding, and delivering more than 20 loads of washing over two days each week. The team also helps hospital staff with administrative tasks and organising equipment, as well as providing companionship to patients and visitors. The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said: “Volunteers from across the Northern Rivers give their time and energy to help make their local community a better place. They help build healthy and well-connected communities across the region. “Their tireless work helps support people across health, education, sporting, and community sectors. Our awards recognise their work and give us the chance to say thank you.” The awards are supported by principal partners the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and ClubsNSW, which represents the state’s 1,100 not-for-profit clubs.
NSW Minister with responsibility for Volunteering Jodie Harrison said: “I am immensely proud of the dedication and commitment to community that we see each year from volunteers across the state. “The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards shine a light on these selfless efforts. Congratulations to today’s award recipients.” ClubsNSW CEO Rebecca Riant said: “ClubsNSW proudly supports the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, and we congratulate each one of the award winners and nominees for their dedication to their communities. “With more than 30,000 selfless individuals volunteering their time in clubs across NSW, we understand the incredible lengths that volunteers go to support and strengthen their local communities. “The volunteers honoured by these awards truly deserve the recognition they receive and continue to be an inspiration to us all.”
Please, be bushfire ready Preparations essential to avoid repeat of previous disasters
The Bushfire Danger Period is under way in our region. After three years of high rainfall and vegetation growth, the danger is very real. Get ready by following Rural Fire Service advice at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, downloading the ‘Hazards Near Me’ app, or contacting my office. We are always happy to hear from you.
clarence@parliament.nsw.gov.au Tel: 6643 1244
www.richiewilliamson.com.au
Richie Williamson MP
Authorised by Richie Williamson. Funded using parliamentary entitlements.
Richie Williamson briefs NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib on bushfire preparedness in the Northern Rivers.
