Congratulations to Tweed Shire’s 2019 Australia Day Award winners
26 January 2019
Two people who have inspired their local communities have received Tweed Shire’s top Australia Day honour.
Sam Ford and Meredith Dennis have both been named 2019 Tweed Shire Citizen of the Year for their outstanding inspirational work in the community.
Sam survived horrific injuries as a result of a ‘coward’s punch’ in October 2009, leaving him with severe and permanent disabilities. Since his injury, Sam has achieved many milestones and has become a beacon of hope and inspiration to others who have suffered a brain injury. Sam is involved in many local fundraising efforts.
Meredith has been a palliative care innovator for nearly two decades. Trained as a nurse, and volunteering at the Wedgetail Retreat community hospice since 1998, Meredith oversees the operation of volunteer palliative care training, home-hospice support services, the community hospice, educational courses, Sunshine ‘Pamper’ Days, the loan of medical equipment to clients and the Tweed Palliative Support Hospice Op shops. Meredith also takes care of many rescue dogs and horses at her Limpinwood property.
The Volunteer of the Year Award has also been shared between two recipients, Team Koala Inc. President, Jenny Hayes, and Agape Outreach founder, Theresa Mitchell.
Jenny has dedicated the past decade to raising awareness about the endangered status of Tweed Coast koalas. In 2018, she was influential in obtaining a grant from the NSW Government Parks and Wildlife Service to produce a koala information booklet that provides details about koalas, their habitat, how to deal with sick or injured koalas and a 24/7 emergency contact number. This booklet is freely distributed at the Pottsville Market and to local schools.
Theresa founded Agape Outreach Inc, which provides meals to over 190 homeless people, as well as food hampers, shower facilities, free laundry facilities and low priced clothing. Through Agape Outreach, Theresa also provides life coaching and emotion and relationship classes, as well as nutrition and budgeting classes.
The Young Achiever in Community Service Award (under 25 years) has been awarded to Jaime Coetzee for her dedication to community service. Jaime is Deputy Mayor of the Tweed Youth Council and also undertakes volunteer work with numerous organisations including her regular Sunday commitment to helping homeless people through the You Have a Friend charity.
The Australia Day Award for Sporting Achievement goes to Perth Glory goal keeper, Eliza Campbell, who made her debut with the team in November 2017. She has also represented her country with the Matildas. Eliza has made a successful career from her passion for football and is helping to show other young players the pathway to achieving sporting success.
The Community Event of the Year Award has gone to the Charity Cup Touch Football Tournament for the second consecutive year. The Charity Cup is in its seventh year and involves a large scale touch football competition where every cent raised goes directly to assist local individuals or families suffering hardship. The tournament has raised a total of more than $100,000 that has been distributed to over 40 local individuals and groups. It now attracts some 300 people from all age groups and backgrounds who come together to promote healthy living and support those in need.
The Arts and Cultural Achievement Award was awarded to the 2018 Murwillumbah Arts Trail, which provided a forum for musicians, indigenous artists, circus and theatre performers, dancers and fashion designers to come together and share their talents in a fun, festive atmosphere for the community.
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Caption: Meredith Dennis is the 2019 Tweed Shire Citizen of the Year, along with Sam Ford.
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Caption: Sam Ford is the 2019 Tweed Shire Citizen of the Year, along with Meredith Dennis.