2021 Hallidays Point Citizen of the Year

"I thought, what is going on; what is he doing," she said?

Di's questioning look was quickly answered when Vaughan announce she had been named the 2021 Hallidays Point Citizen of the Year.

Just like so many previous recipients, Di said the acknowledgment was a great surprise, but in true selfless style, she also said there were many people in the community who were much worthier of the award.

Until Christmas 2020, the one-time primary school teacher had run the MidCoast Libraries Hallidays Point branch for 13 years after close to two decades at Great Lakes Library, Forster as the customer services librarian.

When the former Greater Taree City Council established the Hallidays Point branch library in 2008 Di was appointed branch librarian transitioning the community library with volunteer staff to a full library service with paid staff and volunteers.

Her 17 year stint at Forster made her the ideally suited for the position, a role, she embraced with enthusiasm, wisdom and creativity.

Diane was raised in Grafton and studied primary school teaching at the Northern Rivers College of Advanced Education, Lismore (Southern Cross University) where she met future husband, Don.

Following graduation and marriage in 1975 the couple moved to the New England where Di worked at Muswellbrook South Public School while Don taught at Belltrees near Scone.

The couple and their three young children relocated to the Great Lakes in the early 1980s living firstly at Nabiac and then Diamond Beach.

For many years the couple worked at Coolongolook Public School before establishing the Forster Christian Community School where Di worked as a teacher librarian.

A career change to the Great Lakes Library gave Di the opportunity to continue using her teaching qualifications and skills with the young readers.

"I could still use my children's experience with Storytime in the library and I love the customer service side in the library, dealing with adults as well as children."

Di is well-known and appreciated by the community because of her ability to get to know the locals and regular holiday makers, building friendly relationships with customers and creating a fun and safe environment for young children in the library, Vaughan said.

"Often having time to chat with a customer and welcoming new residents into the library was also gratefully received by many," he said.

Di has worked closely with fellow staff members and volunteers, gaining both their respect and appreciation.

"It is such a lovely vibrant community here; one of the things I love about living and working in the community is getting to know the people."

When Di saw a need in the community for a Justice of the Peace, she completed the qualification, performing the function with honesty, impartiality, responsibility and integrity.

The mother of three, and grandmother to five, Di has extended her parenting skills and love to less privileged children through sponsorship and support.

Early last year Di and Don travelled to Indonesia to meet some of their 'children', while back in 2014 the couple visited a Kenyan mission which focuses on care for single mothers .

Her listening ear, compassionate, quiet and gentle nature, wisdom, and willingness to assist members in the community were just some of the qualities which earned her the title of Citizen of the Year.

Sixty-six-year-old Di retired just before Christmas last year.

"I have a very strong faith and it was the right time to give up work and go forward to other things."

She plans to assist Don in his signwriting business, while the couple will travel to Newcastle once a week to care for 10-month-old and seven-year-old grand-daughters.

Di would like to volunteer in some capacity, and more importantly be free to visit family, including her 97-year-old mum, who continues to live independently in Grafton.

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