Community Medallions Presented - Bega Valley

March 26, 2008

The Bega Valley Shire Council has recognised the outstanding contribution of 15 residents by presenting them with Bega Valley Shire Community Medallions today (Wednesday).

In a special ceremony in the Bega Valley Regional Gallery, Jean Billingham, Cor Brandenburg, Max Brown, Annterese Caulfield, Reg Dew, Lori Hammerton, Ralph Hetehrington, Arthur McDonald, Phil McManus, Marie Moffitt, Graham Parr, Lenna Pearce, Anne Tyrrell and Joan Whitby were joined by family and friends in receiving their medallions from Mayor Tony Allen.

Laura Crew accepted a medallion on behalf of her husband, John Crew, who died last December.

“Each of the recipients has contributed in a way that has brought happiness to people, brought prosperity to the shire, kept our history vibrant or ensured the success of an event or organisation,” Cr Allen said.

“Volunteers are the backbone of any community and we truly have so many remarkable people in the Bega Valley Shire who give so much for very little.

“The community medallion is just a very small way to say thank you to these people. We are grateful for their outstanding contributions that make this shire one of the great areas to live.”

Cr Allen was joined by the Medallion committee president Edna Duncanson and committee members Mary Cocks, Laurence Delle Vergin and Norma Allen at the special presentation.

“It is one of the joys of being on this committee to read and hear of the contributions our medallion recipients make to everyday life,” Cr Allen said.

“This is an award for people who, over many years, have provided leadership and guidance; love and care; are prepared to work beyond their own interests for the good of their community; people who have a vision of the way things can be better and who are prepared to do something about it.

“You would be hard pressed to find a person in this shire that has not been assisted, helped or supported in some way through the actions of a volunteer.

“The smallest acts can go a long way to impacting on the lives of others.”

Cr Allen urged people to consider nominating unsung community volunteers for a Bega Valley Shire Community Medallion.

“We are fortunate to have many such people in the Bega Valley Shire,” Cr Allen said.
For more information on the nomination process phone Council on 6499 2222.