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S u ppleme n t t o t h e Qu a rt e rly Com m u n it y Con n e c t M ag az i n e FEBRUARY 2025
Your Ballina Shire Australia Day Award winners! CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Ezekiel Knight
LOCAL HERO Jodie Shelly
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Lachlan Trease
SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Rik Dillon
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Diane Parker
SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT Denise Cooper (Outrigger Paddling)
ARTS/CULTURAL AWARD
BALLINA SES VOLUNTEER TAKES TOP HONOURS Ballina local, Ezekiel Knight (Zeke), has been named 2025 Citizen of the Year at the annual Ballina Shire Australia Day Ceremony.
Zeke has been a dedicated member of the Ballina SES unit for eight years. As both an In-Water Operator and a Senior Road Crash Rescue Operator, Zeke is known for his quick thinking, bravery and ability to stay calm in emergencies. He was awarded the NSW SES Commissioner’s commendation for courage for his efforts rescuing two people from a vehicle during the 2022 floods. He is also a driving force behind the ongoing success of Ballina SES young volunteers’ program. More than 40 nominees were recognised at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre. The ceremony also featured a Welcome to Country from Uncle Ricky Cook and entertainment from Katie Rutledge, Narelle Harris, Ian Davies and Ray Arnott.
Lennox Head Roundabout works now underway see page 5 for details
Mariah Cavnaugh-Roberts
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue and The Late Shirley White
COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR Ballina ANZAC Day 2024 Commemorations Ballina RSL Sub-Branch For a full list of nominees and winners bios visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/ australiaday