STATE Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin today (Thursday, 17 April) thanked and recognised nine local seniors and a seniors organisation for their valuable contributions to their communities.
Ms Saffin presented certificates of appreciation, co-signed by Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison and herself, to recipients of the Seniors Local Achievement Award during a morning tea at the Lismore City Bowling Club in the CBD.
“This is the second year that we’ve run these awards as a way of honouring the many quiet achievers who give their time, experience and considerable skills in the service of others,” Ms Saffin said.
“I’d also like to commend work experience students Hamish Bailey and Caleb Scherrer, both in Year 10 at Trinity Catholic College, who collated the award nominations and organised the morning tea. They took on the project with gusto and did an outstanding job.
“Cyclone Alfred meant that some NSW Seniors Festival events like this one had to be rescheduled, but it’s great that this year’s award recipients and their invited guests can come together to celebrate what makes our local communities so strong.”
Seniors Local Achievement Award recipients for 2025 include:
- Mrs Lyn Felsch, of Lismore, for volunteer work at the Red Cross Tea Rooms, Lismore.
- Mrs Norma Blume, of Goonellabah, for volunteer work at the Red Cross Tea Rooms, Lismore.
- Mr Stephen Darragh, of Kyogle, for volunteer driving work done through HART Services in the Kyogle community for the past two years. The Kyogle Citizen of the Year in 2024 is Vice-President of Kyogle Lions Club and member of Lismore Lions Club.
- Mr George Stein, of Woodenbong, for volunteer driving work done through HART Services in the Woodenbong community for the past 11 years. The Woodenbong Citizen of the Year in 2020 is President of Woodenbong Golf Club, Treasurer of Woodenbong Progress Association, and Secretary of Woodenbong Football Club.
- Mrs Heather Goulding, of Tenterfield, for volunteer work done in the Tenterfield community, including the Autumn Festival, Rotary Club of Tenterfield, Rotary-Lions Christmas Carnival, Tenterfield High and Friends of Tenterfield Aerodrome (FOTA) Incorporated.
- Mrs Sharon Tucker JP, of Bonalbo, for contributions to the Bonalbo community for over 44 years, including Teacher-Librarian at Bonalbo Central School, Secretary of the Bonalbo Rural Fire Brigade, fire permit officer, and administrator of local Facebook pages.
- U3A Northern Rivers (Lismore) Incorporated, founded in 1994 and recognising their home-based committee volunteers.
- Mr Robert Dingle, of Lismore, for volunteering as a recorder tutor with U3A Northern Rivers (Lismore) Incorporated.
- Mr Keith Gasteen, of The Channon, for work as a peer leader with the Older Persons Mental Health Mutual Aid group.
- Ms Susan Stock, of Nimbin, for her work as Co-Editor of The Nimbin Good Times monthly newspaper for the past 21 years. This independent newspaper gives all community members the opportunity to contribute their opinions on local issues.
Caption: Lismore MP Janelle Saffin with award recipients, from left, President of U3A Northern Rivers (Lismore) Incorporated Ray Houston, Stephen Darragh, Norma Blume, Lyn Felsch, Robert Dingle and his dog Charlotte, Keith Gasteen, Sharon Tucker, Heather Goulding, Susan Stock and George Stein. Photo: Samantha Elley, The Northern Rivers Times.
