communityconnect
Nominations
are now open!
2022 Australia Day Awards
Do you know someone who makes a significant contribution to the Ballina Shire through their involvement in community based activities, sport or the arts? Now is the time to starting thinking about nominations for the 2022 Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards.
Winner s
In Community Connect we have been profiling our 2021 Ballina Shire Australia Day award winners to learn more about their outstanding contributions to our community. In this edition we meet Clare Southwell (Sports Award) and Maria Matthes (Environmental Award).
1. YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR (30 YEARS OF AGE OR UNDER) A young resident who has made a significant contribution to the Ballina Shire.
2. SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR (60 YEARS OF AGE OR OVER) A senior resident who has made a significant contribution to the Ballina Shire.
3. VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR An individual who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support an organisation’s activities.
4. SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD A team or individual who has excelled and represented their chosen sport at a local, regional, state, national or international level. Nominations can also be sports administrators and coaches who have made a significant contribution to sport.
5. ARTS AND CULTURE AWARD An individual who has made a significant contribution to the creative arts.
6. COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR An individual or group who has hosted an outstanding community event in Ballina Shire.
7. ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD An individual or group contributing to our environmental preservation or advancing environmental awareness.
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AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD
Clare Southwell SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT
Clare Southwell’s story is proof that if you are determined enough and love something enough, there are no barriers to what you can achieve. Just two short years ago the Lennox Head mum and business owner/ marketing strategist reignited her passion for sailing, and what she has accomplished since is nothing short of inspiring. Highlights have included competing in her first Sydney to Hobart Race, and winning the 2020 Queensland State Title in the 18ft skiffs.
The Citizen of the Year Award will be selected by the Australia Day Committee from all of the nominees across the seven categories.
Clare learnt to sail in England, Northhamptonshire as a 10-year-old. She sailed competitively representing England for a number of years, travelling across Europe to attend various championships. But when her sailing partner was poached to join an Olympic team, Clare felt adrift.
To nominate visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/australiaday, or telephone Tracy Lister, Coordinator Communications, on 1300 864 444.
“At the time I was going to uni, and I was pretty bruised,” she explains. “I kind of felt like it was a bit over for me. Which, in hindsight, was the wrong way to look at it.”
Nominations close Tuesday 30 November 2021.
Clare didn’t sail for the next 20 years.
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