Hundreds turn out to applaud Kempsey’s record-breaking heroes
Published on 27 January 2023
More than 300 members of the Kempsey community gathered at the Slim Dusty Centre on Thursday to celebrate the outstanding work of a record number of citizens and volunteers from around the Shire.
The annual Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony kicked off the public holiday with entertainment, a free community breakfast and the celebration of Australia’s newest citizens.
The event was jointly funded by Council and the NSW Government through the Reconnecting Regional New South Wales Grant.
Kempsey’s 2023 Australia Day Ambassador, television star Jolene Anderson, congratulated all the nominees on their incredible contribution to the community.
The Kempsey Australia Day Awards Committee, which determines the community awards, reported that they had received a record number of nominees this year from the community.
With so many worthy nominations, the committee presented awards in a number of categories that had been retired during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Leo Hauville, Mayor of Kempsey Shire Council shared his delight in receiving a record number of nominations, with the citations demonstrating the incredible spirit in the Kempsey community.
In total, 17 awards were presented, while MC Craig Milburn emphasised that all of the nominees were of an outstanding quality.
While this year’s event took place on 26 January, in December the Federal Government removed its requirement for Councils to hold a citizenship ceremony on this date.
As such Council consulted with community members in attendance at the event on their preference for the timing of future events, and have opened this consultation up to the wider community online at www.ksc.pub/awardsdate.
Image gallery at the bottom of page
Community Group of the Year - South West Rocks Surf Life Saving Club
South West Rocks Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1919 and plays an important role in beach safety education and developing the next generation of surf life savers.
Each season, approximately 50 volunteer members patrol local beaches for between 2000 and 3000 volunteer hours. In October 2022 members of the club were awarded the Surf Life Saving NSW State Rescue of the Month award, which is a fantastic achievement with the circumstances of this rescue particularly challenging.
The Club is in its 102nd season and there has never been a life lost between the flags during this time.
Young Volunteer of the Year – Keely, Brooklyn, Sarah and Patrick Lawrence
Keely, Brooklyn, Sarah and Patrick Lawrence lost their mother, Karen, to Bowel Cancer in November 2021, after a 7 year battle.
In 2018, after Karen had undergone various treatments for cancer, Keely, Brooklyn, Sarah & Patrick decided to do something proactive while their mother battled this disease and began
a fundraiser & awareness campaign. This has continued every year in June which is Bowel Cancer Awareness month.
They bring the community together, organising sponsorships and fundraising, supported by many local businesses. Not only do they raise much needed funds for Bowel Cancer Research, but they also raise much needed awareness of this disease which is often misdiagnosed in younger people.
Volunteer of the Year - Lynn Gibson
Lynn’s contribution to the local community spans over 25 years and many recognise her as the driving force behind the South West Rocks Anglican Opportunity Shop. She began volunteering there in 1998, before joining the committee in 2004.
Without Lynn’s dedication to volunteering in South West Rocks, the Op Shop would not have remained operational. The value of the shop goes beyond the pre-loved and affordable items available to the community, as Lyn has also coordinated the many volunteers who work at the shop, giving many of them a purpose as they may be unemployed or just seeking company.
Lynn has also been an active member of the South West Rocks Country Women’s Association for 9 years, holding down many positions including President, Secretary, and Publicity Officer.
Young citizen of the Year – Josie Clarke
Josie comes from a multi-generational farming family at Bellimbopinni. When she was 5, her father, Glen, had an accident that resulted in him becoming paraplegic.
Based on her lived experience of disability and farming she formed Ability Agriculture, an online platform aimed at increasing awareness, support, representation and opportunity for disability in Agriculture.
Her passion for raising awareness of people with disabilities began here in the Macleay and she connected with local Macleay Valley residents in the initial setup of her organisation. This has now grown to be a national platform with over 2200 members sharing the stories and amplifying the voices of those with disability in agriculture.
Citizen of the Year – Brienna Elford
Brienna is a valued member of the South West Rocks Surf Life Saving Club and has achieved much in her time with the organisation.
In the last 10 years Brienna has completed 712 volunteer patrolling hours - including volunteering every Christmas Day - and in 2015 she joined the Committee as the Director of Administration, later taking on Director of Finance and Director of Lifesaving (sometimes all at the same time.)
In 2022 alone Brienna clocked up 150 volunteer hours with South West Rocks Surf Life Saving Club and won the Trainer of the Year at the Mid North Coast Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence.
She also engaged with the community to lead the creation of the first Reconciliation Action Plan for the surf club and was an integral part of holding the Gotcha4Life 24 Hour Row at the Surf Club, raising $4,354 towards the mental health organisation.
Brienna played an important role during a rescue in October 2022, which saw the group of rescuers receive NSW Surf Life Saving Rescue of the month and in her spare time is a committee member for four other volunteer organisations.
Over the years Brienna has been an inspiration and a mentor to the members of the surf club as well as to the youth in our community.
Local Heroes
Ten deserving community members also received Local Hero Awards:
- Amy Thompson
- Annette Lawrence
- Beverley Davy
- Garth Fatnowna
- Kevin Sinclair
- Lisa Reed
- Liz McPherson
- Melanie Peterson
- Paul Plummer
- Richard Swan
Finally, Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to two community members who have played significant roles in the community for decades and whose work has made a huge difference.
Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award – Lyn Knight
For 50 years Lyn Knight was committed and dedicated to making sure children have the best possible start to life.
Lyn arrived in the Macleay Valley in 1990 to teach Kindergarten at Frederickton Public School, before transferring to Kempsey South Public School in 1998, where she remained for 20 years. There she was known for always having dynamic and engaging activities.
In particular, she put on shows including Shakesperean plays, dance groups, and Swan Lake performances. This gave students an experience they would not otherwise receive.
Lyn is remembered particularly for her work with kids who didn’t come to school every day, giving them the support, care, and attention that they needed until they wanted to go to school.
She spent her life fighting for social justice and advocating for disadvantaged communities.
Lyn passed away in April 2002 , and is remembered for always taking care of the underdog, for her passionate love of frogs and for being so much more than a teacher to decades of local children.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Jo Watts
Jo’s commitment to Crescent Head has seen her serve on many volunteer committees all in the name of making the community strong and connected.
For over 25 years, she has given her time freely to the Crescent Head Rural Fire Service and continues to be an active member. With her experience, she is currently the Senior Deputy Captain of this essential emergency group. She not only controls and extinguishes
fires but also follows up and liaises with victims of disaster, be it fire, flood or motor accidents.
Through her involvement in numerous community organisations such as the Lions Club and Fishing Club, Jo has had a positive influence on both those she works alongside and those who benefit emotionally, physically and financially from her endeavours.
Jo has been a driving force behind many community events in Crescent Head such as the Head2Head Walk-Run, ANZAC Day Services and Christmas Carols.
It is through her involvement in several community organisations that Jo has made an incredible impact on the lives in Crescent Head and the wider community of the Kempsey Shire.
Jo never turns down a request for assistance and continues her involvement in both Crescent Head and the wider Macleay, ensuring our community is a better place.