Volunteers in the running for State awards
Two Ballina Shire residents are in the running for the inaugural NSW Volunteer of the Year Award after being announced Northern Rivers Regional winners.
Marie Jane Taylor, of Wardell, was named as Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year. Marie Jane has for more than 30 years been supporting people with a stoma.
Also honoured was Youth Volunteer of the Year Joseph Keane of East Ballina, who contributes to surf lifesaving. Jill Hepburn of Goonellabah was named as Senior Volunteer of the year for volunteering her time, skills and administrative ability to various organisations in the Lismore region
The Regional winners will go on to a Statewide judging process for the inaugural NSW Volunteer of the Year Award. The winner will be announced at a function on December 5 – International Volunteers Day.
The Northern Rivers Region covers from the Queensland border to Lismore and Ballina, Coffs Harbour and the hinterland.
In presenting the awards at the Ballina Shire Council Chambers, the Mayor of Ballina, Cr Phillip Silver paid tribute to the work of all volunteers in the region.
“Thousands of people every day willingly give up part of their lives to help others,” Cr Silver said. “Without their selflessness and dedication many of the services we take for granted would simply not exist.”
The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards was initiated and co-ordinated by the peak body, the Centre for Volunteering. All regional winners will be featured on the Centre’s website www.volunteering.com.au
MARIE JANE TAYLOR Marie Taylor was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 1978 and had a serious operation in 1982. Her experience of living with her condition has paid dividends for fellow ostomy sufferers and she has been devoted to helping and counselling others.
She has been President of the North Coast Ostomy Group, counsels nurses on proper care, co-ordinated and chairs regular support meetings and raises funds to be used in the cancer care Look Good Feel Good program at Lismore Base Hospital.
Her nominator Bill Tyrrell says: “Marie Taylor has given great support and care to all that ask her for help and advice.”
JOSEPH KEANE
Joseph is Club Captain of the Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore SLSC and has every year for the past five years completed more than 120 hours of voluntary patrol duty. At branch level he is the Director of Youth and Member Development and Secretary of the Lifesaving Panel whilst at State level he is a Member Services Board Member. He was 2006 Young Citizen of the Year in Ballina Shire and was a Rotary Youth Leadership Award Facilitator in 2007.
His nominator, Paul Kelly, says: “Joseph Keane has consistently demonstrated the attributes of a model surf lifesaver.”
