This year’s Great Lakes Australia Day Award nominees look set to be the last intake of solely Great Lakes locals announced for the award, with next year’s to take place within a bigger field.
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With the three councils of Gloucester, Forster and Taree amalgamated into MidCoast Council in May last year, next year’s nominees will hail from across the new local government area.
2017’s SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR nominees include Forster’s Keith Pearce, who at 80-years-of-age is an avid and successful triathlete who continues to compete in events both local and abroad.
Forster’s Wendy Orman has been with the Great Lakes Pearl Dragons for six years, coaching and mentoring. She was selected for the Australian team’s 2015 World Dragon Boating Racing Championship in Canada, with her sights set on the biennial competition in China this year.
Forster’s slalom canoeist Kristian Fiebig has been an active young sportsman competing at all levels nationally and internationally.
Forster’s Alexander Fiebig has achieved significant success in cross country, canoeing, springboard and diving.
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR nominees include Forster’s Thomas Dormor – a motivated, dynamic student with leadership through captaincy and representation at St Clare's High School. He received the Academic Achievement Award in 2014 and 2015.
Forster’s Ashley Naylor was one of 24 students selected to undertake an educational tour of France and Belgium. As an Anzac Memorial Scholar, Ashley shows a great respect for history.
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR nominees include Bulahdelah’s Judith Newman, who cares for the elderly with trips to and from hospital in her own car with her own petrol. She serves the local community tirelessly.
Bulahdelah’s Laurie Sumner has been a dedicated volunteer within his community for many years who at 84-years-young, remains a member of the Bulahdelah Rural Fire Brigade.
Tuncurry’s Trevor Milgate has given 22 years of dedicated service to the Aged Care/Retirement Living sector in the Myall Lakes area.
Tuncurry’s Julie Daskal started a social ten-pin bowling group for children with disabilities 15 years ago, and now runs three groups down the bowling alley.
Wingham’s Georgina Blanch and Ken Loftus have over 40 years' service between them in the 28th Army Cadet Unit. The unit is based in Taree with cadets from Gloucester, Forster, Tuncurry, Taree.
Forster’s Tanya Simon has been a dedicated member of the Tobwabba Medical Service team since 1995.
Tuncurry’s Don Wright is a church pastor, Camp Quality volunteer, supporter of the Tuncurry/Forster Historical Society. He is president, Forster Shores Probus Club and master skipper, Marine Rescue.