Northern Rivers Community Sector Ball Award Winners 2011
After careful deliberation by a panel of judges, including Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell, Page MP Janelle Saffin, RDA NR Chair Ian Tiley and Ben Roche from SCU, the following people were announced as winners at the Community Sector Ball Awards Night on Saturday November 5. Our heartfelt congratulations goes out to them all for their hard work in making our community a better place to live in.
These awards are sponsored by:
Most inspirational
Winner: Colleen Thomas, Northern Rivers Community Transport.
In what was an outstanding and tight field, the judges were impressed by Colleen’s length of service to the sector, her work establishing the Aboriginal Transport program in NSW; her ability to create a warm harmonious workplace and the very high regard with which she is held by her peers across the sector. No-one has ever had a bad word to say about Colleen. She is a quiet achiever who gets extraordinary results and is loved throughout the community.
Above and beyond the call of duty
It was noted that this award had some nominations for volunteers and some for paid staff, so the decision was made to split the award. It was hard to choose between many worthy nominees. The panel decided to focus on nominees that had achieved amazing results in their local communities where others have tried and failed.
Winner(s):
Nat Meyer, is recognised for her extraordinary commitment to building resilience in Nimbin, including: getting buildings for community groups; helping the town to achieve solar energy self sufficiency; building food security; and a myriad other achievements that go well beyond the part time part role as coordinator of the Neighborhood centre. We don’t think that she sleeps.
Volunteer Youth Activities Staff Team in Yamba have been chosen for their extraordinary success in engaging positively with young people in the Pippi Beach community. They are there for the community and greatly appreciated.
In the line of fire
Winner: Katie Thompson, Salvation Army, Byron Bay, coordinator of the Fletcher Street Cottage drop in centre for homeless people.
In a town that has amongst the highest level of homelessness in regional NSW, people like Katie are vital. She was chosen for the great results she gets in developing trust with people who use the cottage, and the way she demonstrates respect and compassion for clients, volunteers and colleagues. Again every single nominee for this category as well as all the other front line workers deserve an award and a pay rise (are you listening Barry and Julia?)
Centre of the Universe
Winner: Darlene Cook, Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre.
Darlene has been working for NRCLC since 1994, she is the real deal. Judges were impressed by her 'unique ability to squeeze the last drop of juice out of every drop of funding' and her commitment to the rights and aspirations of people who use NRCLC. No community organisation can operate without people like her, and we wish we could give an award to each and every one of them.
NEW AWARD: Private Sector Partner
Winner: Carol Mclean, Sisley's Motel.
The heartfelt nomination for Carol McLean, manager of Sisley's motel, combined with wide community knowledge of her work to help homeless young people, motivated the Judges to create a new category of award, 'Private Sector Partner', purely so that they could give it to Carol.
Keep the Bastards Laughing
Winner: Cat Seddon, Byron Community Centre.
Best Media or Public Gaff
Winner: Jinky Mactal.
For her Elvis impersonation at this year's equal pay rally. It's always good to be the only nominee.
