Northern Rivers Regional Winners
Northern Rivers Regional Award Ceremony
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 Mayor Phil Silver presenting to Northern Rivers Youth Winner Joseph Keane |
 Mayor Phil Silver presenting to Northern Rivers Youth Winner Joseph Keane |
 Northern Rivers Youth Winner Joseph Keane |
Northern Rivers Region Volunteer of the Year
Marie Jane Taylor of Wardell
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, coordinated 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."
Northern Rivers Regional Youth Volunteer of the Year
Joseph Keane of East Ballina
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."
Northern Rivers Regional Senior Volunteer of the Year
Jill Hepburn of Goonellabah
Jill Hepburn has been doing voluntary work for more than 20 years in a secretarial and business administration capacity. Her varied interests include a Life Member of the Lismore Richmond Rovers Soccer Club and President of the Over 50's Learning Centre. She also encourages communication and cooperative work, relationship and financial counselling. She has completed courses in first aid, occupational health and safety, risk management and mental health care.
Her nominator, Jeannette Tyler says: "Jill feels that after overcoming a serious health problem, she appreciates life more, taking it day by day. She feels that overcoming this hurdle is the reason behind her wanting to give so much back to the community."