These awards were presented at The Glasshouse on Wednesday night.

Don’t forget to join the Port Macquarie News coverage of Australia Day 2017 from tomorrow morning. We have a list of our OAM recipients, plus coverage of Australia Day events and activities.

You can also join in on Instagram using the hastag #OzDayMNC.

The winners in each category are:

Community Group of the Year -  Lions Club of Port Macquarie - Tacking Point Lions

The Lions Club of Port Macquarie-Tacking Point has worked and volunteered within the PMQ-Hastings Local Government area since it gained its Lion Charter in 1997 and has achieved many successes providing significant benefits for our community.  With too many projects to list individually, the most recent completion is the redevelopment of Gaol Point.  The Club’s efforts don’t stop there with its Annual Port Macquarie Sand Mudder, endless bbqs and other fund raising activities raising some $300,000 for the benefit of our local community.  Tacking Point Lions Club provide meals to patients and their supporters at Rotary Lodge, assist local disadvantaged children to attend various camps, supports Camp Quality and undertakes maintenance works for  local disadvantaged groups and the women’s refuge.

Every month it is estimated that members of the club undertake around 400 hours of community work for the betterment of our broader community.

Congratulations Tacking Point Lions Club on your nomination in the category of Community Group of the year.

Senior Citizen of the Year - Neil Black

Neil has been described as a “stalwart of the Port Macquarie community”. Retiring from the role of Director of North Coast TAFE in 2006 after a distinguished career in the technical education, Neil has worked tirelessly as a volunteer in a variety of roles. These include President of the Port Macquarie Meals on Wheels Service, Board Chair of Meals on Wheels Mid North Coast Limited, Co-director of Rotary Club of Port Macquarie Sunrise Community Services Committee, Chair of the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie Sunrise Rotary Lighthouse Restoration Project and Member of the Big Dig organising committee just to name a few.

With changes to the Federal Government Age Care Sector looming, in 2014 Neil was instrumental in working through, establishing and implementing changes to the local Meals on Wheels services. These changes included the amalgamation of small independent services to one larger entity. Now there is a strong, dynamic Meals on Wheels Service across the Mid North Coast of NSW, with standardised and enhanced customer service, operating with greater efficiency to reliably deliver high quality, low cost meals daily to over 1,000 frail aged and vulnerable people. 

Neil demonstrates the characteristic of self sacrifice in all that he does for the community. He willingly gives his time to assist other people, never seeking attention or accolades for his efforts.

Congratulations Neil and on your worthy nomination for Senior Citizen of the Year.

Young Citizen of the Year - Stephanie Clark

Stephanie is an inspirational young woman, contributing to our local community through many and varied ways. Space Following her attendance at the Hologen Youth Leaders Conference at the age of 12, Stephanie returned inspired and determined to find ways to give back to her local community.

In 2011 Stephanie started up her own dog walking business and in her first three years donated 100% of the money earned to the Port Macquarie Base Hospital to assist with the purchase of games for the children’s ward.   In 2013/2014 Stephanie donated nearly $1000 to the Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club and continues to sponsor an Ethiopian child through World Vision

Also a member of the Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club, Stephanie continues to volunteer her time to undertake regular patrols clocking up over 400 hours in the last 4  four years.  She continues to display bravery and maturity beyond her years.

Stephanie also gives her time generously to volunteer at local Ironman events, for the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and is a Westpac Rescue Helicopter Ambassador.

Congratulations Stephanie, your commitment in giving back to our local community for someone of such a young age is certainly worthy of your nomination in the category of Young Citizen of the Year.

Citizen of the Year, Phil Hafey

Since joining the Rotary Club of Laurieton in 2007 Phil has held many positions including Club President, Secretary, Treasurer, Youth Director and Public Relations Director.

Phil has participated in many and varied projects both with Rotary and the Bonny Hills Progress Association.  Phil can be seen at fundraising bbqs, book sales and events. He also organises grant applications to secure grants and assists with the construction of local infrastructure projects. Phil is always there to lend a hand and volunteers his time as Chairman of the Rotary Lodge Board. Phil has been involved in many successful projects through Rotary Lodge benefiting our broader community.

Willing to give that little bit more, Phil has taken on the role of District Secretary responsible for administrative support to the District Governor and the 56 Rotary Clubs to produce an electronic weekly newspaper to keep Rotarians informed. He will also has put his hand up to assist with this year’s  District Conference.

Congratulations Phil on your nomination in the category of Citizen of the Year.