In this Section
2012 Citizen Awards
Richmond Valley Council congratulates all those nominated and the following winners of each category. Council thanks these outstanding citizens for their wonderful efforts in making our community even better!
Citizen of the Year
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Noel Francis BallNoel was a founding member of the Casino Volunteer Rescue Squad and is still an active member of the 31 year old organisation. He is the Regional Coordinator for the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) on the North Coast and a member of the VRA Executive. Noel has received many awards including the Defence Force Medal, the VRA Service Medal for 30 years service and was a torch-bearer at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. |
Youth of the Year
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Christine WarrenAt school, Christine has often scribed for students in exams and is part of the school's Environmental Group, working enthusiastically to making the school a more sustainable community. Her skills as a mediator and mentor are well-respected by students and staff. She is also well known for her work with the Evans Head Surf Club and in particular the Nippers' groups. Christine was recently awarded the Black Opal Award for Volunteering by the Dept of Education and Training, which acknowledges people who have contributed more than 150 volunteer hours.
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Sports Person of the Year
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Tegan HancockTegan has been a member of the North Coast High Schools Golf Team for the last three years and was part of the team that won the state title in Dubbo last year. For the second consecutive year, Tegan has won the Casino Golf Club Ladies Championship and has also won the Casino Junior Golfers Girls Championship, her third successive year. Added to these efforts, she has also won numerous other noted golf events in Coraki, Casino and Kyogle. Tegan's handicap is now 8, which is the lowest of the ladies in Casino.
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Sports Team of the Year
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Casino Cavaliers Cricket TeamThe Casino Cavaliers were premiers of the one-day and two-day LJ Hooker League competition for 2010 - 2011 and have been winners of both these competitions in the League five times since 1994. The team also holds the record for chasing down the highest total in a grand final for the LJ Hooker League - 395 runs. They are well-known for playing by the rules and for their mateship. |
Indigenous Champion of the Year
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Troy FreeburnTroy is well known for his work as a Youth Pastor, Teacher's Aid and a trained Youth Worker and is an outstanding member of the local Aboriginal community. He has been a most committed youth worker throughout Casino and Evans Head over the last five years. Troy's Friday-night youth activities held in the Casino Indoor Sports and Basketball Stadium are well patronised, with a continual growth in participation and popularity by a large variety of youth from all backgrounds. Since commencing this regular activity, vandalism incidents around the building and Civic Hall area have reduced by more than half.
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Environmental Champion of the Year
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Ronald DoyleRon's dedication to preserving the Dirawong Reserve and Rileys Hill Dry Dock has made a significant contribution to ensuring these two environmentally and historically important sites are preserved for present and future generations. His contribution to the maintenance of walkways and picnic areas at the Dirawong Reserve has provided unique opportunities everyone to enjoy the environment and culture of this area. He has carried out substantial voluntary work in Evans Head since 1971.
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Cultural Champion of the Year
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Patricia WhitePatricia is well-known for her work as the Musical Director of the Richmond Valley One Voice Choir. She has created a choir that has helped to broaden and elevate music within the Richmond Valley through creating a choir open to all ages and all abilities. The Choir has performed for Seniors groups, raised money for Windara and East Timor children and performed at the awards for Disabilities. Patricia's musical knowledge and interest in fostering music is an asset to the local community and a valuable resource.
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Community Event of the Year
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Coraki Art PrizeEvents like the Coraki Art Prize are the 'glue' that binds a community. The social contributions that the Coraki Art Prize event make are enormous, in particular, the art workshops introduced for the youth of the local community. The benefits of the Coraki Art Prize have mentioned in Parliament, highlighted through a recent speech made by Senator Faulkner.
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2013 Australia Day Official Celebrations will be held at Riley's Hill Community Centre.
2013 Citizen Awards will be open for nominations in the second half of this year and will be posted to Council's website.
Please have someone in mind to nominate for their great work in and for the community we all enjoy! Watch out for more news soon!