The winners of our Australia Day Awards will be announced on Sunday, 26 January 2020 at Bellerive Boardwalk from 11.00am.
Find out about the wonderful contributions our nominees make to our community …
Richmond Highland Gathering – Since 1995, each year this extraordinary community event has brought people from all over the state to Clarence to celebrate all things Highland. From state pipe band competitions, to dancing competitions and performances, to delicious food, wine, and craft stalls.
Clarence High School 60th Anniversary Celebration – This year Clarence High School celebrated its 60th anniversary with a range of celebrations, culminating in a special Open Day. This day was attended by many members of the school community from the last 60 years and, thanks to the efforts of dedicated staff members, was filled with memorabilia, images, and artefacts from the first days of the school.
Zia Mitchelmore – Zia has been involved with Surf Lifesaving for the last 13 years. During this time as a member of the Clifton Beach Surf Life Saving Club, she has achieved an impressive 52 patrol hours, became a training officer, sat on multiple committees, taken on numerous leadership roles, and been a mentor for younger members of the club. Zia’s commitment to her club and her community is unwavering, and she is always ready to lend a hand to others.
Ronald Kelly – Ron gained his Bronze Medallion in 1997 and went on to become a valuable member of Clifton’s Emergency Search and Rescue Team. Ron is an essential part of the Clifton community and surf club, never turning down an opportunity to help. Since Ron started patrolling, he has undertaken in excess of 1,200 hours of patrols not including hours of water safety at other events.
Lynne Edgerton – Lynne is an incredibly giving member of the community, devoting most of her time, and her cooking skills, to others in need. Lynne is a passionate resident of Clarence and is heavily involved in seniors’ programs across the city, always ensuring that members have transport, social contact, nutritious meals, and support.
Ireland Rugen – Ireland has fundraised tens of thousands of dollars for organisations including the Starlight Foundation, World Vision, Oxfam, Ronald McDonald House, The Oncology Unit, and The Royal Hobart Hospital children’s ward. She has also singlehandedly baked thousands of cupcakes three years running for the RSPCA cupcake day at her school. Ireland gives countless hours of her own time helping others who are less fortunate than herself in the community and is a passionate advocate for access and inclusion for people with a disability.
Sam Barwick, Will Barwick, and Liam Meagher – In 2014, Sam Barwick contacted the South Arm Peninsula Residents Association and Clarence City Council, in a heartfelt email asking for “support and guidance for us to have a skate park in South Arm”. In September 2019, some five years later, the site construction fences came down and the kids of South Arm came out to celebrate on their very own skate park. Sam was 12 when he wrote that email and put voice to the dream he had for his friends and all the kids of South Arm. As a team, with his brother Will and their mate Liam, the support of family, community members and many others, together they made a young boy’s dream come true.
Rachael Jackson – Rachael has volunteered for the Warrane Mornington Neighbourhood Centre for 11 years as a Pingo assistant. Pingo is Bingo but people play for groceries not money, and it is a pillar of the centre’s activities. Rachael is a shining example to everyone who comes in to the centre. She takes her volunteer role very seriously, all while balancing her career and always does an excellent job.
Mark Reddish – Since the mid-1990s, Mark has dedicated his life to training, teaching and mentoring thousands of children on the importance of fitness, commitment and a sense of one’s wellbeing. Mark has shown a lifelong commitment to providing an opportunity for the youth of our community to access traditional arts and gain a foundation in classical skills and education not previously available in our community.
Peter O’May – Peter has lived his life sharing his love and passion for Hobart’s harbour and educating others of the maritime history. He has loved, worked on and captained vessels on the Derwent River for much of his working life, and is a proud Eastern Shore resident, always extolling the virtues of life in Tasmania and our fair city.
Dal Hyland – Dal has been a dedicated member of the Bellerive Historical Society and the Bellerive Bluff Land and Coastcare Group for over 25 years. Dal quietly helps organise not only larger events and projects, but also regularly organises and participates in hands on working bees.
Jacqueline Lowery – Jacqueline is dedicated to her community and to helping others, beginning her voluntary career at her children’s school in the early 90s. Today, she dedicates many hours volunteering for and organising the Relay for Life and volunteering at Ronald McDonald House. Jacqueline is always trying to help others wherever possible.