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EACH year Great Lakes Council calls for nominees for Australia Day Awards. There are three categories of awards: Citizen, Young Citizen and Sportsperson. The Great Lakes Advocate is taking the opportunity to celebrate their achievements, featuring each of the nominees in this gallery.

EACH year Great Lakes Council calls for nominees for Australia Day Awards. There are three categories of awards: Citizen, Young Citizen and Sportsperson.
The Great Lakes Advocate is taking the opportunity to celebrate their achievements, featuring each of the nominees in this gallery.CLICK THROUGH THE PHOTOS ABOVE

Gordon Grainger, Tea Gardens
Gordon has made a significant contribution to the community in regard to the health of the Myall River.  He formed the Myall River Action Group to liaise with Council and State and Federal Governments concerning funding for dredging.  Gordon is a community representative on the Port Stephens Estuary Management Committee.  Gordon has constantly given his time and his home to these endeavours and is to be commended for his commitment to the community.  


Nyaree Donnelly, Green Point 
Nyaree is a tireless volunteer while promoting local music and art.  She is part of the Great Lakes Arts Network Cultural Awards promoting the arts as well as Board Member of Arts Mid North Coast.  Nyaree is focussed locally, working hands-on at each event and was involved in the recent Lakeside Festival.  

Deborah Niblett, Tuncurry
Deborah has volunteered on a regular basis for Ageing and Disability Services since 2007. She has consistently worked for the Neighbour Aid program, taking socially isolated elderly people for lunch outings, movies, shopping and for coffee and companionship.  Deborah regularly takes clients to medical appointments in Forster and Taree.  She plays an important part in the life of many of our local residents, providing practical and personal support.  

Joy and Beau Burt, Forster
 The Burts have been jointly volunteering for Ageing and Disability Services since 2000.  Initially Joy and Beau began with Meals on Wheels.  Since that time they have provided home respite for young people with disabilities in their own home, sometimes up to four people at a time.  They also take young disabled people on outings such as trips to Sydney and Canberra for up to one week. They also support elderly people in centre respite activities, assisting with meal services and barbecues. These two are the backbone of local services, give freely of themselves constantly, have hearts of gold and are always reliable and willing to help.  

Heather Harman, Forster 
Heather has made a significant contribution to the Great Lakes Hospice since its 
inception in 2002.  She is a member on the Management and Auxiliary Committees and chair of the 
Auxiliary Committee.  Heather plays a key role in organising many fundraising events.  

Jill McSweeney, Smiths Lake
Jill is known for her great involvement in netball in the Great Lakes and Pacific Palms over 25 years.  Not only player, coach, umpire and registrar, but roles as president in both groups.  Jill is Chair of the Smiths Lake Recreation Committee, as well as running her own hair dressing salon full time.  

John Bowen, Stroud 
John was the inaugural chairman of the Stroud Community Lodge Inc, a residential aged care facility which is one of the largest employers in the region.  John has spent 28 years chairing meetings of the lodge as well as driving the lodge bus.  John is happiest when he is helping others.  


Kel McCredie, Elizabeth Beach (centre)
Kel is the president of the Pacific Palms Surf Life Saving Club and trains the Bronze Medallion Squad (two squads per season).  
He is a Corrective Community Services Mentor, runs Vitamin Sea training and Nippers Technique Training.  He recently won the Australian Gold Medal in the flags.  
Kel is instrumental in bringing events to the community, such as Rock to Rock and Battle of the Boats.  He has been awarded Coach of the Year (last five years) from Lower North Coast Surf Life Saving Branch and also awarded National Surf Life Saving Rescue of the Month - May 2014 and Rescue of the Month - October 2013.  
Kel's rapport with people of all ages makes him well respected in the community and he has a natural ability to make you smile.  

Margaret Blackwood, Green Point 
Margaret has been actively involved in the Green Point Association; initially preparing and circulating the Green Point Association newsletter.  From 2007-2014 Margaret was president of the association.  Margaret oversaw improvements to the Green Point Community Hall; from conception to completion.  Margaret is the ‘go to’ person for many residents seeking information, advice and support.  


Rosslyn Dreise, Forster
Rosslyn is current chairman of the Great Lakes Hospice Auxiliary, and a fundraiser for the Hospice and Cancer Council.  As well as this work Rosslyn has supported junior golf since 2002, helps with Forster Primary School Band, the Stephanie Alexander good food programme, while also assisting children with special learning difficulties at Tuncurry Primary School.  Rosslyn has recently written a book about growing up in Gloucester, and is in the process of writing another book to provide children with a greater understanding of bowel cancer.  In short, Rosslyn has an enthusiasm for life and a love of learning.  

Noel Moore, Forster
Noel is actively involved with Riding for the Disabled and Forster Croquet Club.  She has been coach with Riding for the Disabled since 2003; coaching two full days per week.  Noel was involved in the planning of the club in its infancy and promoted this in the community.  Her willingness to share her time and knowledge with others, and to promote riding for the disabled is outstanding.  Thank you Noel for what you do for your community and Riding for the Disabled.  

Bob Symington, Forster Keys
Bob's life is all about music - he has been a teacher for over 35 years at Pacific Palms, Forster, Tuncurry, Nabiac and Taree.  Bob is an ‘extra mile’ kind of person who has spent countless hours working with HSC students, and showing endless patience, working with the very young, and the not so young, totalling 900-1000 students.  
Bob treats everyone with dignity and respect and is an extremely proud and patriotic Australian, who loves the area he lives in - and why wouldn't he.  

EACH year Great Lakes Council calls for nominees for Australia Day Awards. There are three categories of awards: Citizen, Young Citizen and Sportsperson.

The Great Lakes Advocate is taking the opportunity to celebrate their achievements, featuring each of the nominees in this gallery.

Australia Day Award nominees: photos

IN this photo gallery we take a look at the nominees for the Great Lakes Council Australia Day...

Australia Day Award nominees: photos

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