Two organisations and 14 individuals have been selected as finalists in the 2018 Port Stephens Annual Awards.
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Award winners will be announced at the Australia Day civic ceremony in Raymond Terrace on Saturday.
“It is wonderful to have so many high-calibre nominations for the Port Stephens Annual Awards this year,” Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer said.
“Every one of these individuals and groups are all very worthy nominees – going above and beyond for our community to make Port Stephens a great place to live, work and play.
“I’m looking forward to announcing the winners on Australia Day as part of our celebrations.”
Nominees are not allocated to a particular award, but are selected based on their list of merits.
The awards categories are:
- Freeman of Port Stephens: A distinguished citizen who has contributed eminent service to the community over many years.
- Citizen of the Year: A citizen which has made a significant and demonstrable contribution to the community during the preceding 12 month period.
- Young Citizen of the Year: Awarded to a young citizen (25 years or under) who has made a significant and demonstrable contribution to the community.
- Port Stephens Medal: Awarded to individuals, organisations or groups for distinguished service to the community. Nominees should demonstrate community leadership, promote the principles of cultural diversity and social equity; showing a tireless approach to community life and participation.
- Sportsperson of the Year: Awarded to individuals who have exhibited outstanding service to the sporting community of Port Stephens or who have attained a high level of achievement in the wider sporting community.
- Cultural Endeavour: Awarded to individuals who have exhibited outstanding service to the cultural community of Port Stephens or who have attained a high level of achievement in the wider cultural community.
The Australia Day civic ceremony will be staged in Riverside Park, Raymond Terrace on January 26 from 9am.
The award nominees are:
Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens were established at Heatherbrae in 1985.
The gardens cover an area of more than 130 hectares, much of which has been preserved as natural bushland.
The gardens are managed, maintained and developed by a non-profit company of around 200 dedicated volunteers.
The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens serve the people of the region as a focus for the appreciation, study, research and enjoyment of horticulture, botany and related fields through the growing and display of plants, both native and introduced species, in landscaped and natural surroundings.
Michael Murray and Port Stephens Suicide Prevention Network
Michael Murray is an expert in business strategy, leadership and business systems development.
Michael has brought a wealth of experience and professional organisational structure to The Port Stephens Suicide Prevention Network where he has served as the chairperson for the last 12 Months.
The Port Stephens Suicide Prevention Network is a community initiative which is wholly funded by public donations. The PSS PN enables volunteers from the community to be involved in activities that can lead to them finding additional meaning and purpose in life.
The network’s activities are designed to foster an increased sense of well-being for its participants, encouraging the acquisition of new skills and creating open and honest communication.
Taylor Corry
Taylor Corry grew up in Anna Bay and has made our community proud time and time again through her incredible efforts in the swimming pool as a Paralympian, a learn to swim instructor and with her work as a volunteer with Autism Australia.
Determined to achieve her goals, Taylor trains regularly and has represented Australia in the highest level of competition in her sport.
In August 2018, Taylor celebrated a major achievement of winning 4 Gold Medals at the Para Pan Pacific’s in Cairns.
Denise Duffy
Denise Duffy is a visual artist who connects her lifelong love of the sea with her creative practice to explore the boundaries between human and nature.
The local environment provides inspiration for her work, and through her art Denise works tirelessly to create public awareness of environmental conservation issues such as plastic pollution.
Denise was the recipient of the Newcastle Emerging Artist Prize 2017 for Works on Paper and has taken part in many cultural art activities in Port Stephens such as the Port Stephens “Walk of Art”.
Wayne O’Connor
Dr Wayne O’Connor is the Senior Principal Research Scientist and Leader for Aquaculture at the Port Stephens Fisheries Institute and is an acknowledged leader in his field.
Dr O’Connor and his team perform a critical role in the production of oysters and the protection of the oyster industry in the Port Stephens region.
Graeme Chamberlain
Graeme Chamberlain is a local Ironman who pushes himself to be his best while also encouraging others in our community to achieve more personally through his work as a volunteer.
Graeme is the Club Captain at the Birubi Point Surf Lifesaving Club and is a member of the Tomaree Tri Club and the Nelsons Bay Hash Harriers.
Nancy McLennan
Nance McLennan from the Bayside Thistle School of Highland Dancing is a local dance teacher who has shared her talent and passion for dancing for over 60 years.
Nancy keeps the Highland dancing traditions alive through her proud commitment to her art and has dedicated her life to encouraging dance through providing accessible learning for students of all levels.
Gerard McClafferty
Gerard McClafferty is the General Manager of the Salamander Bay Recycling Centre.
He is known for encouraging increased recycling while working with the community to find new solutions to environmental problems through consultation, charity and his own personal efforts.
Michael Francis
Michael Francis is on the board of directors for Port Stephens Community Arts Centre, an organisation that he has been involved with for over 20 years.
1,420 members and counting of the Port Stephens Community have been members of the Arts Centre throughout Michael’s tenure. Michael is a natural leader who has promoted artistic culture in Port Stephens significantly through his work in the community.
Christine Lilly
Christine Lilly, a resident of the Port Stephens area for over 40 years is the President of the Soldiers Point Lions Club. Christine is known for her tireless commitment to the local community.
In particular, Christine is praised for her ability to identify hardship being faced by people in need and then initiating grass roots community fund-raising efforts to provide relief.
Amy Dufour
Amy Dufour started playing touch football at the age of 8. Since then she has played as a park player for Nelson Bay Touch and has represented Australia in competition.
Amy is a consistent role mentor to younger players of touch football and is well known for her fair-play and abundance of natural talent on the field.
John Eijkenboom
John Eijkenboom has been closely associated with Tilligerry Football Club for many years, and has improved the club’s operations with his executive management skills.
John’s practical contributions to the club have ranged from working as ground staff, gear steward, club secretary and he now serves as club president.
Ben Niland
Ben Niland is currently the secretary of the Medowie Sports and Community Club and chairman of the Port Stephens Council Audit Committee.
He is involved in all manner of local sporting activities through leadership and sponsorship.
Recently Ben envisioned and established a fundraiser ‘Medowie, Bale out the Drought’ which raised over $80,000 for rural aid to go to drought affected farmers.
Belle Niki
Belle Niki is a 15 year old indigenous Hunter River High student. She is a role model to other youth in Port Stephens and has volunteered at Tilligerry Clean up Australia Day for five years.
In the last two years she has opened the Tilligerry Festival with a Welcome to Country and received highly commended in the Young Legends category of the 2018 Tidy Towns Sustainable Communities Awards.
Lee Anlezark
Lee Anlezark is the President of the Tomaree Parkinson’s Support Group, an organisation that he leads with optimism, hope and enthusiasm.
Living with Parkinson’s himself, Lee fully understands the need to encourage healthy living, healing and well-being to improve the quality of life and health outcomes for those affected by Parkinson’s in our community.