Long Flat resident and tireless community worker June Rollan has been named as the Port Macquarie-Hastings Citizen of the Year in this year’s Australia Day awards.
Local Australia Day award winners were announced at a special ceremony last night in Port Macquarie. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Administrator Garry Payne and local dignitaries presented the winners with certificates and medallions.
“June Rollan has dedicated many years to helping her local community in so many ways. It is wonderful to be able to honour her in such a significant way,” Mr Payne said.
Derrick Walton was named Young Citizen of the Year, Sing Australia was awarded Community Service Group of the Year, Bodyboarding Champion Chase O’Leary was named Sportsperson of the Year and the Camden Haven High School Futsal Team awarded the Sports Team of the Year.
“What impressed me when reading the Award nominations was the vital contribution that the people nominated make to our community. All of the nominees have excelled in their chosen fields of sport, arts, culture and community service.
“Nominations in the five categories were received from all over the Hastings and across all age groups. This shows the diversity and depth of talent and commitment in our community.
“Everyone nominated are actively living the values of what it means to be Australian and on behalf of the Australia Day Sub Committee I want to thank each and every one of them for their contribution to our community.
“It’s the efforts of people like those nominated and those award winners that inspire us to celebrate how fortunate we are to live in Australia,” Mr Payne said.
Citizen of the Year
June Rollan
Long Flat resident June Rollan has been the driving force of local community fundraising for more than 30 years. She works tirelessly helping many community organisations and is recognised locally as the backbone of her community.
June’s contributions to the Long Flat community has been well documented over the years and her nomination has been widely acknowledging as being deserving for such a community ‘asset’.
Young Citizen of the Year
Derrick Walton
Former Wauchope High School Vice Captain Derrick Walton has already achieved a great deal in his 19 years. In 2010 he was awarded a Certificate of Commendation and medallion from the Order of Australia Association for his service to the community.
Community Group
Sing Australia Port Macquarie
With more than 160 members, Sing Australia Port Macquarie has been entertaining the region for the past eight and a half years. The men and women of the group love to sing and give more than 60 performances a year at community events and aged care facilities. This group has also been responsible for similar groups being established at Laurieton, Wauchope, Kempsey and South West Rocks.
Sports Team
Camden Haven High School Futsal Team
Taking out the 2010 Australasian Futsal Championships capped off a great year for the Camden Haven High School Futsal team.
Despite a number of players being injured during the tournament, the Under 19s team managed to defeat all who played against them.
Sports Person
Chase O’Leary — Bodyboarding
Competing on the world Bodyboarding stage is something Chase O’Leary has grown into during the past seven years. From his beginnings as a small grommet catching shore breaks in Port Macquarie to battling huge waves in Hawaii.
Chase has won a number of major awards along the way including National Junior Champion, State Championships and was recently placed 4th in the Open Men’s section of the National Titles.
