LISA JONES

Medallist

Sharing for a cause

Lisa Jones can still feel the rough brush of her eldest son’s cheek as he kissed her goodbye.

“He gave me a kiss and said ‘Thanks, love you’,” she recalls.

“I remember feeling his whiskery face against mine.

“That was the last time I saw him alive.”

The following night, March 29, 2007, her son Aaron Bumford, 24, rode his Ducati motorbike home from work along a highway south of Hobart, near Franklin.

Heading in the opposite direction were two young men — David Gallagher, 22, and Haden Hori Anderson, 23 — racing each other.

Anderson, who was drunk, lost control at 140km/h and his car slammed into Aaron, killing him instantly.

“There was a knock on the front door at about 1am but I didn’t get up. I don’t remember the police knocking,” Jones says.

“My husband and my daughter were at the door and in my sleep from the bed I heard the policeman say to them ‘Aaron Bumford, car accident, passed away’.

“I think that was part of the shock, hearing that in my sleep. I think that’s why it took me a few years to come to terms with things.

“It made me go into a sleepy state and I don’t think I wanted to get out of it.”

Standing in court 15 months later, Jones faced the two men who took the life of her beloved son.

You could forgive her for feelings of rage and retribution. But she just wanted to reassure them.

“I got up and looked at the boys, they didn’t look at me,” she says.

“I told them this doesn’t have to be the way your life ends up. I want you to get on with it and try and make something of it once you’ve served your time. You can work your way out of this problem.”

Anderson was convicted of manslaughter and Gallagher of dangerous driving causing death. They were sentenced to a combined total of 10 years’ prison.

It was during the gruelling court case that Jones discovered her need to spread a message of road safety and respect to young people. Problem was, she just didn’t know where to start.

Many months of phone calls and emails to road safety groups and organisations failed to provide Jones with what felt like the right opportunity.

So she decided to contact local high schools, colleges and youth clubs directly and volunteer her time to talk to young people.

Her message to them is all about choices: In life, there are good choices and bad ones. But when you get behind the wheel, those choices to drink, to speed, to answer a mobile phone ... those choices can have dire consequences, she says.

“The talks give me a purpose and I think it’s Aaron’s way of teaching others the lessons he learnt.” Why Jones shares her story

Since starting on this road to make sense of her personal tragedy, Jones has spoken to more than 6000 students in Tasmania.

It’s an emotional process which can take her days to recover from as she relives the memories of that fateful accident.

It was this tenacity to keep going despite the emotional fallout that saw her recognised with a Pride of Australia award. The acknowledgment was “reassuring”, she says.

“Winning Pride of Australia is nice recognition of the work as you never know if you’re heading in the right direction,” she says.

Sharing the story of her son has helped keep Aaron alive in more than just her memories.

“The talks give me a purpose and I think it’s Aaron’s way of teaching others the lessons he learnt,” she says.

The students sit silently, taking in every word. Some come up to her afterwards to tell her how proud Aaron would be or just to shake her hand and say thank you.

“I tell them each and every one of them is loved and they are worthy of a good, long, healthy life,” Jones says of those young people she has met in her personal journey.

“But they need to make the right choices for themselves and also their family.

“Aaron had made some not good choices, but because of the way I spoke to him, he turned his life around.

“My main message is if they love themselves and see the worth in themselves, they will feel the same way about other people.”

— Lucy Carne

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JAIMES WIGGINS

Medallist

Friend in need

After his mate’s son was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, Jaimes Wiggins set out to raise awareness of the cruel disease.

With a background in football, he decided it was time Tasmania had its own Legends Game so he set up Relive the Rivalry, a charity AFL match.

Since 2012 Wiggins has enlisted some of the biggest players in the game to come down and take part — co-ordinating everything solo.

Even battling his own health and personal issues hasn’t stopped Wiggins from putting in hours to ensure the game happens and much needed funds go towards muscular dystrophy.

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WAQAS AND HINA DURRANI

Medallists

Supportive siblings

Since arriving in Australia from Pakistan, siblings Waqas and Hina Durrani strive to help others in their community.

Waqas, who arrived in 2012, has visited schools to educate students as part of the Human Library project and founded the University of Tasmania’s Pakistani Society.

Arriving after her younger brother in 2014, Hina quickly lent her hand and time too.

Together the pair have comforted and supported people from differing cultural backgrounds, helping them adjust to life in Tasmania.

The two also spend countless hours organising events to promote human rights.

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CAMPBELL REMESS

Medallist

Child ambassador

This 12-year-old boy and his teddy bears have stolen hearts around the nation.

Campbell Remess, known as Bumble, began using his pocket money to make bears for sick kids in hospital as well as blankets, bibs, caps and toys for premature babies.

His aim is to provide comfort for children going through a difficult time either due to illness or personal tragedy.

But his bears have also travelled the world, comforting those caught up in terror attacks and natural disasters.

Remess’ story has touched millions who donate fur, ribbon and stuffing so this inspiring boy can continue putting smiles on others’ faces.

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NICOLE WHITTON

Medallist

Ceaseless caregiver

A caring and understanding nurse makes all the difference in times of need and that’s what registered Oncology Nurse Nicole Whitton provides.

Since starting work at the age of 20 in 2015, Whitton quickly took on extra qualifications and, in two short years, has provided treatment, comfort and optimism to countless patients battling cancer.

She works 90 to 100 hour fortnights and is regularly found on the ward when not rostered on.

In a workplace that often deals with death and extreme illness, Whitton is looked to as a pillar of strength and high spirits by her colleagues who nominated her for this award.

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BILLIE RIDLER

Medallist

Community hero

At 86, there’s no slowing down Billie Ridler who works tirelessly for her community.

The Country Women’s Association and Red Cross member has raised funds and delivered services to those in need since joining the organisations in 1990.

Kind-hearted Ridler knits rugs and sends gifts and flowers to patients at the local nursing home on their birthdays.

And as if that wasn’t enough, she’s a member of the Nubeena Community Op Shop and Library, the Port Arthur Memorial committee, the local Saltwater River Hall committee and the Tasman Council Centenary Committee.

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PERCY JACQUES

Medallist

Lifetime achievement

He was in his late 20s when he arrived at Kennerley Children’s Homes Inc. to paint the property.

Now almost 40 years later, Percy Jacques still hasn’t left. The home was founded by Alfred Kennerley, a former Premier of Tasmania, in 1869 over concern for the number of homeless children walking the streets of Hobart.

Jacques arrived when the home was financially struggling, so he joined the Board and assisted in getting the home through its hardships.

He’s remained there ever since as secretary and chairman, giving up his free hours and time with his own family to help run the home.

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