Australia Day Award recipients announced

Six residents were honoured today at Byron Shire’s Australia Day Awards official ceremony.

Officiating at the ceremony, Mayor Jan Barham congratulated and commended the Australia Day Award recipients.

“The Australia Day Awards recognise the significant achievements, or outstanding services, the six residents have contributed to the community.

“This year’s recipients have volunteered countless hours for community organisations and demonstrated valued leadership and sporting achievements. They are all quiet achievers whose stories are inspirational.”

The 2012 Citizen of the Year was awarded to Byron Bay resident Paul Irwin.

Mr Irwin was recognised for his outstanding contribution to Byron Bay Surf Life Saving and his dedication to the improvement of sports facilities in the Shire.

Last year alone, Mr Irwin was primary trainer for all board sessions and four ski sessions per week at the Byron Bay Surf Club.  He was at the Surf Club every day, often twice a day from August to April.

His dedication to young sports people saw Byron Bay take out the overall championship in the NSW Country Titles and compete in the NSW State Titles, QLD State Masters and the Australian Surf Life Saving Titles.

For the past eight years he has been instrumental in the upgrade of the Byron Recreation Ground, and the construction of the Suffolk Park Sports Field.

“He has also been actively working together with local sports clubs and Council to progress the design, funding and construction of the Byron Regional Sport and Cultural Complex,” Mayor Barham said.

“His commitment and passion for the project shows no limits.

“From attending meetings and planting trees, to the consultation and engagement with sports groups to ensure that the facility meets the needs of locals.  Paul has been determined that a dream to deliver a much needed new facility became a reality.” 

Mayor Barham also thanked the Shire residents for their nominations, and congratulated all of the nominees.

The 2011 Byron Shire Australia Day Award recipients included:

• Citizen of the Year                                           Paul Irwin
• Young Citizen of the Year                                 Justin Fenwick
• Volunteer of the Year                                        Noel McAviney
• Senior Sports Person of the Year                       Vincent Quigley
• Environmental Volunteer Project of the Year        Suffolk Park Dune Car
• Community Event of the Year                             Byron Bay Winter Whales Ocean  
                                                                         Swim Classic

Mayor Barham went on to thank the Shire’s Australia Day Committee on meeting the difficult challenge of selecting the recipients from the many deserving nominations, and in assisting with Australia Day celebrations in the extremely wet conditions.

Also on the day, the Shire welcomed 15 new citizens into its community.  The new citizens making their pledges came from as far a field as Brazil, Germany, Belgium, United States and the United Kingdom.

Over one hundred people celebrated the Byron Shire Australia Day Awards and welcomed the new citizens at the official ceremony held at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall.

Left to Right: Vincent Quigley, Justin Fenwick and Paul Irwin

Mayor Jan Barham with Australia Day Address speaker Shirley Nelson OAM