environmental volunteer project of the year

ENVIRONMENTAL VOLUNTEER PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Byron Shire's Environmental Volunteer Project of the Year goes to BYRON
BIRD BUDDIES.
Byron Bird Buddies is a self-funded volunteer community education and
conservation group that focuses on the preservation of habitat for resident and
migratory shorebird roosting, breeding and feeding areas. BBB’s objective is to
actively advocate for the conservation of shorebird habitat and to educate the
community on the needs of all birds on the north coast of NSW.
Byron Bird Buddies raises awareness about the wonderful birdlife in Byron Shire for
community members and visitors. BBB also educate tourists and locals on how
they can actively be involved in protecting our birdlife, especially the threatened
species. They inspire people of all ages to be involved in actions that preserve and
enhance the biodiversity of Byron Shire’s birdlife.
Beach-nesting shorebirds are extensively monitored by their members throughout
the breeding season. This work focuses on threatened species conservation. The
group is to be to congratulated on their actions resulting in both Pied Oyster
Catchers and Beach Stone Curlews successfully hatching and raising chicks this
year.
BBB undertakes a great deal of survey work which is valuable for Byron Shire
Council, National Parks Wildlife Service, Marine Parks Birdlife Australia and other
conservation organisations.
Community awareness and education is a key aim of BBB, which includes a
website, field days, talks to groups, displays, media releases and school education
programs. They produce a wide range of materials for use by the local visitors
centres, eco-tourism groups, landcare groups and the general public.
Many hours of volunteering go into BBB education, coordination and on-ground
work.
Byron Shire congratulates our 2014 Environmental Volunteer Project of the Year –
Byron Bird Buddies.
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COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR
The Byron Shire Community Event of the Year goes to the Byron Bay Winter
Whales Ocean Swim.
The Byron Bay Ocean Swim is held annually in May and is a not-for-profit event
which puts back to the community all money raised. It began in 1983 and has
raised $590,000 which has been donated to local charities and organisations, Camp
Quality, Prostate and Breast Cancer, Variety, Westpac Helicopter, Byron Bay Surf
Club, Swim Club and Scouts to name a few.
It is an event that is supported by the NSW Government, having received funding in
the past as well as receiving further funding for the event in 2014. It also receives
support from local sponsors and this nomination was also supported by Minister
Don Page.
The Ocean Swim is a local event which attracts over 2,000 participants and 5,000
spectators each year, many of whom travel to Byron Bay to be a part of this iconic
event. The amount of visitors creates a positive flow on effect for the town and our
community.
Byron Shire wishes the event every success this year and congratulates our 2014
Community Event of the Year – Byron Bay Winter Whales Ocean Swim.
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JUNIOR SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Our Junior Sports Person of the Year is a talented runner who has put everything
into achieving her goals. At such a young age she is focused, dedicated and
passionate about what she wants.
Byron Shire's Junior Sports Person of the Year is Marlie Campton.
Marlie has achieved outstanding results throughout the last 5 years and set many
new records along the way including National Champion in 1500 and 800 metres,
and NSW CHS All School Champion in cross country.
However, it is her latest year that is inspirational. Marlie had to compete up an age
level in cross country to achieve her goal of representing Australia at the World
Junior Schools Cross Country Championships in Israel in 2014. She managed this
by coming 6th at the nationals to gain a spot on the Australian team to Israel.
Outside of school, Marlie is committed to excelling in championships such as QLD
Junior athletics where she has come first in the 1500m and 800m races.
Marlie is a humble, determined young woman who inspires young girls to achieve
their goals through her actions and results and is a promoter of the Shire in all her
media interviews.
This is also the second time Marlie has been awarded Junior Sports Person of the
Year having taken out the honour in 2010.
We congratulate – Marlie Campton.
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SENIOR SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Byron Shire'
s Senior Sportsperson of the Year has been involved in the sport of
cricket for some 44 years. For the past 24 years he has volunteered his time to
encourage Shire youth to have focus, get fit, learn teamwork and be involved in the
community.
Byron Shire's Senior Sports Person of the Year is Greg Daniels.
Greg has played seniors cricket in first and second grade for 27 years, was awarded
life membership for Ballina District in 2001 and has won 7 premierships to date as a
junior coach. Greg has coached juniors for the last 10 years, from under 8s to
under 16s, often coaching two teams concurrently.
He initiated a new under 10s competition format which has been running for the last
10 years and widely adopted throughout the state.
Greg'
s greatest pleasure comes from converting young cricketers and their parents,
to the sport and the sportsmanship cricket teaches our youth.
He has been the President of the Byron Bay Senior and Junior Cricketers for 23
years, the President of Ballina District Seniors for 22 years and the President of
Brunswick Valley Juniors for the last 5 years.
For 24 of the 32 years it has been running, Greg has also been the organiser of the
local twilight competition for the club, district and Far North Coast sector.
He has been recognised by NSW Cricket for Volunteer Contribution and Cricket
Administrator of the Year for the North Coast in 2006.
As if all of this isn'
t enough, Greg has also been the pool manager at the Byron Bay
Memorial Pool for 25 years.
Byron Shire congratulates our 2014 Senior Sports Person of the Year – Greg
Daniels.
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VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Our Volunteer of the Year is an outstanding community leader. He is generous,
highly motivated and "one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet". He was
nominated by a number of people for this award, which included support from
Minister Don Page, for his dedication to the Bangalow community.
Byron Shire's Volunteer of the Year is Lyle Le Sueur.
By volunteering countless hours within the Shire; helping the Bangalow Soccer
Club, and supporting the new Bangalow skate park, Lyle is providing an outlet to
youth development and social interaction. He has been a soccer player, coach and
manager for 10 years and his tasks at the Club include:
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junior registrar, coach and manager,
senior manager,
sponsorship coordinator,
project and maintenance manager
canteen volunteer
Bangalow Sports Fields Vegetation Regeneration Volunteer
Summer 6s (six a side football social competition) Volunteer
On top of that, he was instrumental in the much awaited skate park at the Bangalow
sports fields where he encouraged the youth of Bangalow to be fully involved in
fundraising efforts, along with their involvement in the design of the skate park and
gathering community support.
He gave the kids a feeling of pride and
accomplishment in themselves and their community
Lyle attended many meetings, continually liaised with council and builders and used
his expertise from his building profession to help ensure that a top class skate park
was built. He also used his own equipment to ensure the skate park became a
reality.
Lyle is exceedingly generous with his time and he spends many hours on his many
roles - from President of the sports club, to the skate park, to managing his soccer
team; nothing is ever too hard or takes too long.
Lyle is a respected member of the Bangalow Community; he is inclusive and
encouraging.
Congratulations to Lyle Le Sueur, our 2014 Volunteer of the Year.
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YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Our Young Citizen of the Year is a 15 year old, year 9 student at Mullumbimby
High School who has demonstrated a strong and enduring commitment to
community at both a local and state level.
Byron Shire's Young Citizen of the Year is Azlan (Azi) Currie.
Azi has been a member of the Byron Youth Council for the past 3 years and has
advised on issues concerning younger residents of our area, as well as
organising youth related activities.
In 2013 she became the youngest person to be appointed to the NSW junior
parliament, representing the seat of Ballina in the Legislative Assembly. She was
a member of the working group which placed before the parliament the first
"Marriage Equality Act" which passed with a unanimous vote in both houses of
junior parliament. This Act gained national and international attention and was
acknowledged as the pre-cursor to a bill which was later placed before the state
parliament. Azi will continue her political involvement at a state level this year,
having been already appointed to the Legislative Council for 2014.
As further recognition of her active citizenship, Azi received the Eden Fawcett
award for citizenship in her final year of primary school at Brunswick Heads and
has twice received the prestigious Dick Arthur Citizenship award at Mullumbimby
High School.
Azi has a long-standing and impressive record of achievement in public speaking
and debating. Whilst in primary school she was twice a state finalist in the
Premier'
s Public Speaking Awards in Sydney.
As a member of the Mullumbimby High School year 9-10 debating team, Azi was
selected in the regional debating team which went on to win the state debating
championship, the only team to be undefeated whilst taking out the top award. To
cap off an outstanding year Azi was selected in the state junior debating team
being the only student selected from year 9.
Azi has always been strongly involved in local community organisations
including the 1st Byron Bay cub and scout groups and has also been a member
of the Brunswick Heads Surf Life Saving Club since she was a nipper.
Sport has also played an important part in Azi'
s involvement in the local area.
She has been a long-standing participant in the Brunswick/Byron netball
Association. She has played softball for the Byron Bay team in the Far North
Coast Association and won the award of junior club person of the year. She is
also a fully qualified umpire, having officiated at a state championship level. She
is also an enthusiastic participant in the Mullumbimby Touch Football
Association.
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Azi Currie is an enthusiastic and positive junior member of our local community.
She is passionate about being personally involved in helping her community at a
local, state and ultimately national and international level. She is widely liked and
respected and is an outstanding representative for our local area. Azi is a very
worthy recipient of this Australia Day award.
Byron Shire congratulates our 2014 Young Citizen of the Year – Azi Currie.
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CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Byron Shire'
s Citizen of the Year has inspired the Brunswick Heads community with
her extensive involvement as a facilitator, co-ordinator or team member in an
immense number of community projects.
Our Citizen of the Year is an outstanding role model for all people in the Shire
and is being awarded to Kim Rosen.
Kim is tireless and selfless in representing Brunswick Heads on various Tourism
bodies such as VIA Byron and the Council'
s Tourism Advisory Council. She
maintains resounding commitment to the preservation of Brunswick Heads in line
with the town branding of '
Simple Pleasures'
.
We would be here all day if I was to list all of Kim'
s involvement, however to name
just a few, Kim has spent her time:
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as Executive Officer of the Brunswick Heads Chamber of Commerce for 9 years
and Executive Member of the Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce for 4 years.
Representative on Tourism Byron and on the Byron Bay Tourism Steering
Committee
Member Brunswick Heads Business & Tourism Group from 1999 until the
present day
Chair of the Business & Tourism Group since 2001
Representative on the Community Learning and Innovations Centre (CLIC)
Board for 2 years
Initiated community festivals such as Touch a Truck, Kites & Bikes and Old and
Gold
Established the Streetscaping Forum and the development and approval by
Council of a Brunswick Heads Masterplan in Dec 2002.
Involved with BSC Youth Commitment, youth mentoring and youth
entrepreneurship programs
Initiated the Brunswick Heads youth skatepark project
Secured grant funding for the Tweed Street Streetscaping Project
Set up a community task force and developed the 2004 Brunswick Heads
Parking, Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Plan
Produced a Business Card Directory of all Brunswick businesses - as a buy local
campaign and visitors guide
Developed the "Taking Care of Brunswick" draft Tourism Management
Plan by the Business and Tourism Group and conducting a public forum,
and
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Developed the "simple pleasures" image and brand for Brunswick as a strategy
to preserve Brunswick'
s village lifestyle.
Kim is inspirational through her passion, dedication, support and deep care for the
entire community of Brunswick Heads. Her achievements are quite extraordinary
and have unquestionably helped to put Brunswick Heads and the Shire '
on the
map'
.
Byron Shire congratulates our 2014 Citizen of the Year – Kim Rosen.
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