The awards showcase those who give up their own time for the good of others – usually unpaid and often without thanks.

Supa IGA Ballina is calling on members of the Ballina community to put forward those who deserve to be acknowledged for their efforts.

Joe Pittini, Queensland and Northern NSW IGA Retail State Board Chairman, said: “This is a really great way for our network of IGA stores to help recognise and reward the people in the community that work tirelessly for others.

“All of our stores across Queensland and northern NSW are committed to supporting local communities, and this is one really positive way of doing just that.” 

Nominations are now open, with a panel of IGA judges selecting eight regional winners who will each receive $1500 towards their charity or not-for-profit organisation of choice.

Of those eight winners, one overall winner will receive $5000 worth of IGA gift vouchers and a further $5000 will be donated to their nominated beneficiary.

“The great thing about this campaign is that anyone can be an Unsung Hero. In 2009, we had over 200 fantastic national Unsung Heroes winners aged between 7 to 89 who, in one way or another, selflessly dedicated their time and effort to various charities and community programs,” Mr Pittini said.

2009 NSW winner Jean Willmington, who has been described as the ‘backbone’ of her area, raised a total of $12,000 for The Cancer Council by organising raffles and morning teas.

Nominations close 9 September. People can nominate online by visiting www.iga.com.au and clicking on IGA Community Chest.

The overall winner will be announced on 19 October.

A Southern Cross University Bachelor of Arts student, Max has been selected from thousands of Australia-wide entries as a finalist in the Optus Sound Scribe competition, a music journalism contest for budding music writers in regional areas.

For the competition, all of the finalists must produce a blog about local music in their area and the music industry in general, complete with things like reviews and interviews. Members of the public get to vote on which blog they think is best.

The winner gets a paid job writing for an Australian music magazine and a trip to Los Angeles for an ‘international perspective’ on the industry.

“I’ll need all the support I can get,” said Max, who comes from Ballina and is now in his second year of studies at SCU.

“I would appreciate it if the Southern Cross University community of students and staff and other people living in this area could get behind me by visiting my music blog and voting for me if they think I am good enough.

“This is a really significant opportunity for me to get a start in the industry and it is also good for the University to help promote its courses to young people.

“The competition runs over the next three months, so if people can visit and vote regularly over that time, it would be greatly appreciated.”

Follow the blog link to ‘Sign My Petition’, and cast your vote.

As part of the competition, the region where the winning ‘Scribe’ lives gets to host a gig played by a major artist. “So if I win, Lismore or Ballina gets a big concert to celebrate,” Max said.

“People voting for me can also ask a question of the feature artist of the month. This month’s artist is Birds of Tokyo. If one of my supporter’s questions is the one that is submitted to the band, I get to fly to Sydney for a one-on-one interview and the person who asked the question gets a $500 iTunes music voucher, which is a great incentive for people to get amongst it, I reckon!”

Max, 19, said music had always been his main passion in life. “So I decided to combine my existing musical knowledge and experience with majors in writing and media for my Bachelor of Arts, as well as adding electives like songwriting and music theory,” he said.

Having won a prestigious Vice Chancellor’s scholarship – as part of the University’s Rising Stars Scholarship program – for his high academic achievement in the Higher School certificate (a UAI of 97.95 achieved while at Xavier Catholic College, Lennox Head), Max said he was thrilled to be able to study at a quality University while still enjoying the support of living at home.

“So far the subjects I have studied have proven really useful,” Max said. “To enter the Sound Scribe competition I had to submit many different examples of my writing, like reviews of music videos, songs I had written and personal writing about myself. I felt quite confident that these were well-written and interesting.”

Max works in music shops part-time to help fund his studies. You will find him at various times at All Music and Vision stores in Byron Bay, Ballina and Lismore. He also plays guitar and writes songs and is establishing a band of his own.

“I have worked for this company since I was 14 and it is great that I can get part-time work relevant to my degree in the local area,” he said.

“It gives me great exposure to the music scene and an understanding from the retail side of things what people are buying and listening to.

“I plan for my career to focus on writing – both song writing and writing about contemporary music in general.”

PICTURE: Max Quinn – enjoying his studies as well as his work in a Lismore music store. Max wants people to visit his music blog and vote for him in the Optus Sound Scribe competition.

Lawrie, of Ballina, will fly to Papua New Guinea on May 29 with son Adam and three other men, who will begin their Track trek on May 30, the day Lawrie turns 70.

Adam, a local fireman who also owns Ballina’s Intershape gym, says his father will have no problems completing the trek, despite his years.

“He’s a lifelong fitness man,” he said.

Lawrie is ex-army, making two tours of Vietnam during a 21-year military career.

He spent time in PNG as a training instructor, but never got the chance to do the Kokoda Track.

Adam also is ex-military and did a training exercise there in the 1990s, but also never got the chance to do Kokoda.

Joining the Horders will be locals Steve Gassiner and Andrew Smith, and Stuart O’Keefe, of Sydney.

“We’re all good mates,” Adam said.

Although the five are extremely fit – for example, Andrew is a former Australian triathlon representative – they will be in no rush on the track.

Lawrie will use local porters to carry his gear and will be part of a tour group with Adam, Steve, Stuart and Andrew carrying all their own kit including food, tents, packs and each other if required. That is their main challenge.

“We’re going to take it slowly and enjoy it,” Adam said.

PICTURE: Team Kokoda (from left) Lawrie Horder, Adam Horder, Stevie Gassiner, Andrew Smith and Stuart O’Keefe.

At a gathering of almost 170 Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter volunteers from all over northern NSW, Betty was presented with her 20-year service badge.

The presentation was made at the helicopter volunteers’ Christmas lunch at the Lismore Helibase. In all, 80 badges were presented, ranging from five years service to 25 years service.

Mrs Reynolds said she was devoted to the rescue helicopter because it played an important part in saving lives of people ill and injured on the Northern Rivers.

“I started volunteering for the rescue helicopter because I lived next door to the chief pilot at the time and I knew the then general manager, Perry Wells,” Mrs Reynolds said.

“I continue to volunteer because I love it and it’s important for the community to have the helicopter remain here in the northern region.”

Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter general manager Kris Beavis said the rescue helicopter service would struggle to exist if it wasn’t for the on-going support of the hundreds of volunteers from across the helicopter’s flight area.

“Volunteers like Betty Reynolds are essential to the continuation of the rescue helicopter,” Mr Beavis said.

“Their tireless efforts provide this organisation with a valuable human resource and it’s an absolute pleasure to be present these selfless volunteers with their awards today.”

Two other Ballina volunteers also received long-service awards. Vera Stalker received her 10-year badge and Sharon Cadwallader received her five-year badge.

Dan’s love of music began at the tender age of 9 years old learning the organ and playing for quiet, conservative church services.

Now a pub rocker, Dan regularly performs at Ballina and Northern Rivers pubs and venues.

Dan’s parents and younger sister still live in the Ballina.

He arrived back on the Gold Coast this week from Melbourne where he performed for some of the biggest names in the music industry.
 
Dan was invited to Melbourne to attend the the Dream Inc music workshops held at Melbourne Town Hall.

Lynn Jaanz, a singing teacher who has worked with successful recording artists such as Delta Goodrem, saw Dan performing his original music at a Gold Coast restaurant a few months back and encouraged him to attend.

Jaanz told Dan she believed he has what it takes to make his dream of becoming an international singer a reality. Record companies would be on the lookout for new talent at the workshops.
 
It turns out the record label representatives agreed. Even rockstar Stu Macleod of band Eskimo Joe gave Dan his vote.
Dan was named the winner of a Sony Development Deal at the one-day Rock workshop. He was awarded the deal by head of SONY A&R Ross Fraser before TV cameras, famous faces and the hundreds of workshop participants.
 
The man who discovered and signed Madonna, music business executive Seymour Stein is widely regarded as having the best ears in the business when it comes to discovering new talent.

Stein commented on Dan’s talent when he won the award, saying that Dan’s songwriting reminded him of country music legend Hank Williams.

On being interviewed by the record label panel, Dan spoke of his musical influences as being Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and John Fogerty from Credence Clearwater Revival. “That guy just wrote hit after hit song” Dan said.

In response Stein noted ‘yeah John’s a Good friend of mine’.
 
Dan will gain invaluable experience and contacts and will now be flown to Sydney to record with some of the best in the business at Sony Studios. He will work with top A&R reps over a week-long period to produce a professional demo to further his career.
 
“I’m so stoked and grateful,” Dan said.

“This sort of thing just doesn’t happen everyday; it’s a huge break for me.

“I don’t think I’m the greatest singer. I can write songs but my songs are pretty raw. I think they liked that. They liked my rough edges, which is cool.

“I guess I stood out because I was different from the highly-trained voices. There were some amazing singers there.”
 
Catch Dan Hannaford when he returns to Ballina next month to play The Australian Hotel on October 30.

All shop and buisness owners will decorate shop fronts to raise awarness for the up coming Relay for Life that will be held in November Saturday 7th-8th at Kingsford Smith Park Ballina.

Relay For Life is an event where teams of 10 to 15 people take turns walking or running around oval at Kingsford Smith Park to raise funds for cancer research, education, support services and advocacy. The relay is for young and old. You can walk or run, and do as many or as little laps as you like.

The committee will be setting up an information table through the week 21st-27th of September to answer any questions, sign up teams and get the word out about the Relay For Life event.

Any further questions please contact Dee on the following: 0405 324 319 or email mydeebee@yahoo.com.au

After the roundabout was completed, this sign was erected showing Condon Drive to be the name of the street entering the new estate. Now the name has been taped over, and we’re curious as to why this has happened. This has started a few conversations as everyone has their own theory. We’d love to hear from anyone who knows what’s happened to Condon Drive, please leave a comment below.

IGA’s Community Chest Unsung Heroes Awards aims to recognise and reward individuals who go the extra mile to assist their local organisation, volunteer time to a charity or achieve extraordinary success despite life’s hurdles.

Jenny Tunks has been fundraising for Cystic Fibrosis NSW for more than 30 years, helping raise much-needed funds that are used for medical research and to support sufferers and their families.

Amongst other raffles, Jenny co-ordinates a guitar raffle the East Coast Blues & Roots Festival each year. This is a five-day event that operates over Easter, and to date Jenny has raised $150,000 from this raffle alone.

Jenny is always coming up with new ways to raise money, and is currently working on creating a ’65 Roses Patchwork Quilt’ which will be auctioned off for the charity.

She has a 31-year-old son who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, and plans to continue her charity work until a cure is found. Her selfless contribution over so many years makes Jenny a true ‘Unsung Hero’.

Jenny will be awarded with $250 worth of IGA vouchers and a $250 cash donation will also be given to Cystic Fibrosis NSW, Jenny’s nominated charity/not-for-profit organisation.

Regional winners are now in the running to take out the State prize, which is decided by an online public vote. The State winner’s chosen charity or not-for-profit organisation will then be awarded a further $5000 donation. 

The 2009 IGA Community Chest Unsung Awards project gave local residents the chance to reward the ‘Unsung Heroes’ living in their neighbourhoods through an online nomination process. 

Get behind Jenny simply by logging onto www.iga.com.au before Friday 28 August and voting!

You can also show your support for Jenny by logging onto Facebook and joining the 2009 IGA Community Chest Unsung Heroes Awards’ Group.

Jenny Tunks is classified as a Queensland award winner as all regional winners were selected in accordance with IGA’s own ‘village network’ – the local business units which work together to meet the needs of their local customers.

Croozin' for a Snoozin'

Local funky kids t-shirt label, Pram Rock, is being showcased this Friday 31 July at the Kids Fashion Review Media Night in Melbourne. Pram Rock will be alongside other Australasian labels such as OUCH, Nanny Pickle, Agoo Australia and Pipi Child.

Owned and operated by Lennox Head locals Matt and Danielle Parmenter, Pram Rock has only been up and running for a year, so this is a great opportunity for media and PR coverage. Melbourne will be bursting at the seams with retailers and media for the Kids in Style premier trade event.

To view the whole range, go to Pram Rock funky baby tshirts or pop in to Echidna Place children’s wear 6/32 Byron Street, Bangalow, where most of the range is stocked (but selling fast!).

Great to see a local online business mixing it with the big names!

From 1966-72 Bob worked in Government administration in Papua New Guinea and it was during this time that he joined the Madang Lions Club.

Returning to Australia, he became a member  of the Blacktown club and on his arrival in Ballina joined East Ballina Lions.

Bob has been honoured with life membership of Lions International and with many of the Lions prestigious awards.

Bob is well-known to the Ballina community as he is consistently and cheerily seen manning the barbecue or selling raffle tickets to raise money to be used for a good cause.

On Australia Day 2005 he was the recipient of the Ballina Citizen of the Year Award.

The recognition came last weekend when East Ballina Lions Club were hosts to 100 members of the Lions organisation for a two-day meeting of the Lions District Governor and members of his Cabinet. 

Cabinet  members and their partners braved the weather to travel to Ballina, many from Brisbane and south-east Queensland, for the meetings that were held at Southern Cross School K-12. 

On Saturday evening  a social dinner was held at the Ballina RSL Club and when meetings recommenced for Cabinet members on Sunday morning  the Lions partners enjoyed a coach trip to the Seabird Rescue Centre and the Ballina Art Gallery.

PICTURE: Lion Bob Morgan being congratulated by Lions District Governor John McCrae.