Community Awards

The 2025 Byron Shire Community Awards ceremony was held on 5 August 2025.

Nominees, and their loved ones, gathered at the Byron Bay Golf Club for a wonderful evening to celebrate and recognise each of their achievements. Whether that be in the form of performing arts, promoting beach accessibility or volunteering to rehabilitate injured wildlife.

Mayor Sarah Ndiaye, and Deputy Mayor Jack Dods, co-hosted the event, with 120 people in attendance, to give back to the people who make Byron Shire a great place to live.

2025 Award Winners

Community Member of the Year - Jan Olley

Jan Olley has made an outstanding contribution to environmental conservation and community education through her tireless work with Byron Bird Buddies and associated organisations.

For many years, Jan has been the driving force behind Byron Bird Buddies, devoted to the protection and preservation of the region’s birdlife, particularly endangered and migratory species such as the Beach Stone-curlew and the Bush Stone-curlew. Her commitment has had a positive impact not only on these vulnerable birds but also on the local community's awareness of the ecosystems they inhabit.

Jan Olley is a true environmental champion. Her dedication has ensured that our region’s birds, particularly the most at-risk species, have a future.

Young Community Member of the Year – Billie Rettenmaier

21-year-old Billie Rettenmaier lives and breathes community spirit and is a keen volunteer with WIRES, protecting and rehabilitating injured wildlife.

She’s also a volunteer with the Newrybar Rural Fire Brigade, offers young children free music lessons and is a regular face at community gardens.

Access and Inclusion Award – Pauline Menczer

Local legend Pauline Menczer is well-known for her love of the beach and her work to make it accessible for people of all abilities.

She’s often seen with a wheelbarrow and spade at Torakina, shovelling sand around the wheelchair beach mat and she has a large range of accessible equipment that she loans to the community.

The former World Number One surfer gives back to the sport by voluntarily coaching surfers living with disability.

Caring for Country – Lisa Sandstrom 

Lisa Sandstrom is an organiser of Save Wallum, a campaign to protect a parcel of land at Brunswick Heads from development.

Lisa is a regular face at the Mullumbimby Community Markets every week, raising awareness and money for the Save Wallum campaign.

Creativity Award – Virginia Reid and Anouska Samantha Gammon

There were two winners in this category.

Virginia Reid has taught at the Byron Community College for more than a decade and mentored many people in their creative journeys well beyond the classroom through exhibitions, performances and showcases.

Virginia’s own work is well known in the Byron Shire – exhibited in the Byron Hospital and at the Byron Writers Festival.

Anouka Samantha Gammon is the person behind the highly regarded Bangalow Theatre Company, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to bringing innovative, breath-taking and professional theatre to the Northern Rivers.

Her other passion is sharing her love of theatre with young people through her company BANG Academy of Performing Arts.

Contribution to Health and Wellbeing Award – Dianne Browne

Di Browne is keeping the Byron Shire active and feeling great, one person at a time and the community loves her for it.

Di is a motivator, passionate about promoting the social, mental and physical benefits of keeping active and being connected.

She runs Pilates classes that are affordable for everyone, Chair Pilates for older people as well as hiking, arts and crafts, health retreats and social activities. 

In Business for Good Award – Perigee Farms 

Perigee Farms is a community-oriented organic farm committed to sustainable agriculture, providing local employment opportunities and environmental stewardship.

They use regenerative farming techniques and hire locals, some with limited to no farming experience, preferring to teach them about sustainability with a focus on personal growth.

Community Initiative of the Year – Sound Shell Piano and Community Care by Laura Upsall 

It was the appearance of an old piano at the Sound Shell at Brunswick Heads that piqued the interest of Laura Upsall.

To keep the ivories tinkling she brought in local piano tuner, Norman Appel, to maintain the piano which was a much-loved part of the town, but it needed replacing.

Laura entered the ABC’s Play It Again competition and this year won a new piano for the community, much to the delight of locals and visitors.