Above; Nominees and Councillors at the inaugural Eurobodalla Local Hero Awards
The inaugural Eurobodalla Local Hero Award was announced by Eurobodalla Mayor Liz Innes in front an assembly of nominees, friends and family at the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens. The Local Hero Award, presented during National Volunteer Week, recognises the outstanding contribution of volunteers and the efforts and achievements of unsung heroes in our community. Broulee’s Lindsay Boyton has received Eurobodalla Council’s first Local Hero Award in recognition of his dedication to the Eurobodalla community. Heavily involved in the Eurobodalla District Show Society and the Moruya Showground Management Committee, nominations for the award described Mr Boyton as the “go-to man” for everything, from applying for government grants and setting up websites and social media to being handy on the tools and baking the “the best” apple turnovers for fundraising. “He is one of those ‘salt of the earth’ people who will be among those who are first to arrive and last to leave with sleeves rolled up reliably and ready, willing and generally able to do whatever needs to be done with any fuss or airs,” one nomination states. “He is the person who organises and leads the working bees at the showground, and he is the handyman who gets the work done,” said another. In addition to his show society and showground roles, Mr Boyton is treasurer of both the Anglican Church Moruya Parish and the Broulee Mossy Point Community Association and was a devoted carer for his mother in her final years. Fellow finalists for the award were Surf Beach’s Jacki Harding, for her years of active community involvement and fundraising, and Sue Barford for her work as chair of the River of Art Festival from 2010 to 2017.
Above: two of the stalwarts of the Batemans Bay Indoor Aquatic Centre Committee Deidre Jones and Jacki Harding were among the 23 nominees for Eurobodalla's Local Hero 2018 The award was judged by a panel comprising Deputy Mayor Anthony Mayne and two independent community members.At the presentation ceremony on Friday, Eurobodalla Mayor Liz Innes paid tribute to all 23 nominees. “Eurobodalla is abundant in natural beauty, this we know, but what makes a community truly beautiful is its people,” she said. “You wonderful people are the reason our shire, our place, truly shines. “I encourage you to continue to share your love and pride for Eurobodalla. Let’s keep working together to leave a legacy of optimism for the generations to come.” Broulee’s Lindsay Boyton has received the inaugural Local Hero Award for his dedication to the Eurobodalla community. The presentation was followed by morning tea in the Gardens’ café.
Above: Clr Liz Innes presented the first ever Eurobodalla Local Hero Award to Broulee's Lindsay Boyton. Photo ESC
Above: Carolyn Harding and mum Jacki
Above: Surfside's Brad Rossiter was a worthy nominee
Above: Left to Right - Belinda Shalders, Mayor Liz Innes and Megan Garrett.
Above: Eurobodalla's Local Hero of 2018 - Broulee's Lindsay Boyton
