2014 TAS Pride of Australia finalists
We are very proud to announce the 2014 Pride of Australia Medal finalists for Tasmania.
Pride of Australia
Don't miss out on the headlines from Pride of Australia. Followed categories will be added to My News.
We are very proud to announce the 2014 Pride of Australia Medal finalists for Tasmania. Read below the incredible stories of the leaders, campaigners, care givers, volunteers, teachers and everyday Australians whose extraordinary actions set them apart.
CARE AND COMPASSION MEDAL
To recognise a professional or volunteer carer or group, or a member of the health professions who has made a significant improvement to the lives of those around them.
Tracey Beattie Nurse Tracey Beattie doesn't just care for breast cancer sufferers, she also cares for their partners and families. As Breast Care Nurse for the North West of Tasmania, Tracey has had a profound impact on her community through her capacity to go above and beyond her day to day duties. While she provides medical support to sufferers, often being forced to travel long distances, she also has counselled struggling partners and even helped one of her patients break the news of her illness to her daughter.
Royal Hobart Hospital Paediatric Oncology
Helen Starosta, Brendan McCann, Sandra Hofman, Lea Collins, John Daubenton Nothing is ever too difficult for the extraordinary paediatric oncology team from the Royal Hobart Hospital. Be it ensuring the "clown" doctors are on call, remembering birthdays and special events, or even allowing themselves to become patients to the children to demystify a procedure, their day-to-day role goes well beyond providing care for the children suffering cancer, and support for their families. Such is the dedication of the doctors and nurses they often become something of a second family to the scores of people going through their doors every year.
Mieka Tabart People who know Dr Mieka Tabart say she can do almost anything with dignity and grace. And nowhere has this been more evident than through her interactions with people seeking asylum, or refugees looking to live in the community. The active community worker began her role with people seeking asylum at the Pontville Detention Centre as a violin teacher. When the centre closed, she saw the opportunity to establish a weekly meeting for locals and people seeking asylum to form friendships and support each other.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT MEDAL
To recognise an individual or a group whose selfless, tireless and largely unacknowledged actions have enriched the lives of those around them in their community.
Maria Bond Maria Bond has worked as a volunteer for the past five years to bring the charity Bears of Hope to Tasmania. She works long hours each week to provide resources in hospitals state-wide to assist families who have experienced the loss of their child during pregnancy or infancy. Last year she organised a balloon release ceremony in Hobart which gave many families the opportunity to publicly pay tribute to their child. Maria also has been instrumental in helping families access professional and peer support.
Melissa Crosbie It is difficult to quantify just how much of an impact Melissa Crosbie has had in the Zeehan community. Mel runs the local neighbourhood centre and has helped to greatly improve the quality of life for the town's children, youth and elderly. She has formed numerous groups for the town's youth, and a "lunch with a mate" program for senior citizens. Above and beyond this, Mel is the local Centrelink agent and is qualified to do the written test for learner drivers. Mel also spends many hours applying for community grants; all for the betterment of her community.
Cassie Xintavelonis For the past 17 years, Cassie Xintavelonis has dedicated thousands of hours raising money for and awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Cassie is best known for her volunteer work co-ordinating the much loved Light it Up Blue campaign to raise autism awareness, and as a theatrical performer raised several thousand dollars through the Bawdy Panto for the cause. She is a contact point for parents and families needing support and direction, and recently flew to Sydney to volunteer at The Lion King's Autism-friendly performance.
ENVIRONMENT MEDAL
For an Australian or group of Australians whose actions have demonstrated leadership, raising awareness and/or teaching others about environmental issues.
Matt Dell Matt Dell sure knows how to win friends and influence people. This year he enlisted the help of 23 volunteers across four commercial fishing vessels for the biggest South West Coast Marine Debris Clean Up in more than a decade. The environmental scientist has been leading the week-long charge since 1999 and this year helped net more than 18,350 items of rubbish, totalling about 3.5 tonnes.
Todd Dudley For more than 20 years, Todd Dudley has been inspiring and educating the community about the values of the natural environment. A particular focus has been the Skyline Tier Ecological Restoration Project, where he has worked with all sections of the community, including the forestry industry, to help restore the pine plantation behind Scamander to nature forest. To date, more than 350 hectares has been cleared and reseeded and much is now flourishing with plants, animal and bird life.
Bec Hubbard Bec Hubbard sure has made her mark on the national stage. A conservation advocate for more than 13 years, she has led a national conservation-fishing alliance to deliver a legislative ban on super trawlers, improved transparency and monitoring of salmon aquaculture, increased protection of Ningaloo Marine Park, and helped implement state moratoriums on genetically engineered (GE) crops and GE food procurement policies across Australia.
FAIR GO MEDAL
For an Australian permanent resident or citizen, born overseas, who has enriched Australia through their community involvement, hard work and willingness to embrace their new home.
Rhoda Girao Rhoda Girao has energy to burn. She has managed soccer and tennis teams, and organised dance groups, flash mobs and plays at her daughter's school, and has supported teachers with her own classroom activities. And two years after her daughter left to go to high school, she is still going. Rhoda also runs Beanbag Café, a non-profit after school environment for Grade Six students to hang out in a safe environment.
Merv Kozikas Merv Kozikas arrived in Hobart in 1949, aged 11. He enrolled in grade six at Glenorchy School and did not speak a word of English. Those difficult early years gave Merv, now 75, a burning desire to build strong networks within the Lithuanian community and help others through the difficult journey of adjustment. His contributions to the Hobart Lithuanian Community over the past 60 years has seen him awarded life membership and he also helped found the Perkunas Sports Club in 1956 and has been its president for the past 30 years.
Isaiah Lahia Isaiah Lahia arrived in Tasmania in 2006, having fled the civil war in Sierra Leone and spending 14 years in refugee camps in West Africa. But he wasted little time making an enormous contribution to his community. He is one of three People of Australia Ambassadors in Tasmania, served as chairman of the Multicultural Policy Review Reference Group for the state government, is a former chairman of the Sierra Leone/Liberian Union of Hobart, is a founding member of the African Communities Council of Tasmania, and has served in several other key community roles.
COURAGE MEDAL
For an Australian, who through his or her act/s of courage have overcome personal adversity through
determination and strength of character.
Duncan Brooke Duncan Brooke was a star athlete with a promising basketball career and a scholarship with the Tasmanian Institute of Sport. But at the age of 12 he was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis - a debilitating form of rheumatoid arthritis - and the prognosis was he could be in a wheelchair by the age of 18. Despite his dreams being dashed Duncan fought off the blues and with determination decided the condition would not rule his life. He gained national accreditation as a junior basketball coach and volunteered for the Devonport Fire Brigade in 2008.
Pam Carter Pam Carter's positive attitude and bubbly personality help her cope with the worst possible cancer diagnosis. Four years ago she was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer - and last year with malignant melanoma. Yet she has refused to take this as a death sentence. She treasures life and lives every day to the fullest. The 63-year old Coal Valley resident is a merino farmer, but also a civil celebrant and a disability support worker. She conducts funerals, works with people with intellectual disabilities and manages a strict personal fitness regime before the working day begins.
INSPIRATION MEDAL
To recognise a member of our teaching professions from early childhood to university education or a role model whose compassion and wisdom while teaching, coaching and mentoring our youth has been truly inspiring.
Graeme Faulkner It is not unusual for Graeme Faulkner to spend 20 hours a day helping others learn LEGO robotics. Free of charge. Not that you'd ever hear about it. Graeme is reluctant to take any credit or seek recognition for his efforts, much preferring to operate quietly, without fuss. The retired PhD engineer/psychologist has spent the past 12 years providing free online tutorials (he refuses any requests for advertising), offers his voluntary service to primary schools and for school children right across the state, and has encouraged many pupil's to pursue the field of robotics.
Tim Smith More than 5000 Tasmanian kids owe Tim Smith a big thank you. Tim is a phys-ed teacher in Hobart and founded the Schools Triathlon Challenge in Tasmania. The event has been running for six years and attracts a huge following of children aged 8-18. No times are kept and no places awarded. Participation is the foundation of the event, with students encouraged to be involved regardless of fitness, ability or experience.
Mark Watterson Mark Watterson is easily recognisable with his Jamaican coloured beanie and dreadlocks. And equally apparent is the remarkable impact he has had with Aboriginal children and their families over the past 15 years. Mark works tirelessly in his role as youth worker at Karadi Aboriginal Corporation where he mentors disengaged youth back into the school system, helping to reshape their futures.
OUTSTANDING BRAVERY MEDAL
For an Australian, or group of Australians, who, through their act/s of bravery, helped save or attempted to save a life/lives.
Trish Hodgetts Trish Hodgetts answered a call with the Port Sorell emergency response team to a property near the waterfront. An elderly woman had gone missing from her home. Trish rushed to the beach and spotted the woman neck deep in the icy waters of Bass Strait (estimated to be around 10-12 degrees). Without hesitation, Trish, a retired hospital worker, ripped off her shoes and waded into the swirling waters. Trish chatted to the elderly woman for 20 minutes, before convincing her to return to shore. Trish has received a citation from the Tasmanian Ambulance Service for her effort.
Jenell Walker and Talissa Carling-Grey Jenell Walker and Talissa Carling-Grey were relaxing at home when they heard an enormous explosion in a car parked behind a house across the road. With no thought for their own safety, they dashed across the road, broke through the neighbour's locked gate to find the car on fire. They dragged two boys and their father from the flames and tried to keep the boys, aged five and eight, calm as they waited for ambulances to arrive. Given the terrible scene and the boys severe burns, it seemed an eternity. Before the ambulances arrived one of the little boys asked Talissa if she could "take the pain away" - a moment she can never forget. The boys were recognised today in the Child of Courage nominations.
YOUNG LEADER MEDAL
A person under 25 years who has advanced a community, or will advance a community, through academic or personal endeavours.
Olivia Fleming Olivia Fleming is changing the lives of those around her, with a little help from her friends. The Year 12 Guilford Young College student created The Little Help Project this year in response to the mental health issues faced by young Tasmanians. The program is delivered via an empowerment workshop aimed at combating social issues such as self-esteem, bullying and leadership. The program is in the process of becoming a fully-fledged non-profit organisation.
Taylor Forward A tragedy in his teens provided an unlikely turning point for Taylor Forward. He suffered serious burns after a horrific accident involving alcohol when he was just 15. He and his family then campaigned for law changes to make the community aware of the dangers of providing alcohol to minors, and won. Taylor fought back from his injuries to secure a carpentry apprenticeship. He later became a pastor and, for the past seven years, has dedicated himself to serving his community, working around Penguin and travelling as far afield as India.
Tarsha Jago Described as someone who has enriched many lives through her generosity, compassion and dedication, Tarsha Jago has an extraordinary list of commitments. The 17-year-old has participated in Project Compassion, was a member of the Droogs art group, works with Down Syndrome Tasmania and, after the loss of her teacher to bowel cancer, formed a non-profit group to raise money for the disease. She has been involved in Relay for Life, Lions Youth of the Year and United Nations Youth program, among others.
CHILD OF COURAGE MEDAL
A child 16 years or under who has helped save, or attempted to save, the life of another or overcome personal adversity through determination and strength of character, allowing them to improve the quality of not only their lives, but also those around them.
Fletcher and Spencer Connelly The victims of an unspeakable tragedy in 2012 - when they suffered severe burns in a car fire - Fletcher and Spencer Connelly showed enormous courage and resilience when they finally resumed full time school this year. The road ahead is still difficult; they have to have cream applied to their burns at school every day; but they remain determined to forge ahead with the love of their family, friends and school community.
Sancia Fenton Sancia Fenton has used her own personal tragedy to help others. The Glenorchy schoolgirl wants people to know that young girls get ovarian cancer too. After a seven month battle and rounds of chemotherapy - the first of which started on Christmas Day - Sancia, 14, finally had the tumour removed in April and says she will continue to campaign for greater awareness of the issue.
Ellah Watson Ellah Watson has provided an amazing source of information for her parents Tim and Anita, and the wider Port Arthur community after she was badly burned while playing with a candle. Eight months later tragedy struck the family again, when their Port Arthur general store was destroyed by fire. But Tim and Anita said they would adopt Ellah's fighting spirit to rebuild their business, which is the hub of their local community.
HEROISM MEDAL
To recognise a member or members (professional or volunteer) of the SES, police, fire, ambulance, coastguard, defence forces, air rescue service who have gone beyond the call of duty to protect the community.
Bob Ackroyd Bob Ackroyd has been a volunteer fire fighter for the Richmond brigade for three decades, but it is his work behind the scenes that sets this local legend apart. Bob was instrumental in starting up the "Richmond Junior Brigade" which instils in local youth the virtues of being a volunteer; a person who cares for and gives back to their community. Fireman Bob has been able to develop a strong sense of pride and care in the Richmond community which will last for generations to come.
Community Emergency Response Team
Robert Allen, Nicole Hoyland, Darren Hamilton, Nikki Brown, Trish Hodgetts, Jack Van Tatenhove, Mary Levett, Kirstie Wrigley, Perry Bondfield-Beattie During an average month, the Community Emergency Response Team provides 1400 hours service to the Port Sorell community. They give their time each and every day, rain or shine, night and day, 24 hours, seven days a week. And their commitment does not stop when the job is finished; members will often visit patients and their families to see if they are okay or need any help.
Tasmania Police - Marine Division Constable Robert Round, Sergeant John Pratt, Inspector Lee Renshaw, Senior Constable Darren Leary
Braving swells of up to six meters and 70-knot winds, the Tasmania Police marine division rescued three crew members from the fishing boat Jensanette off Maatsuyker Island. While such acts may not always receive the recognition they deserve, it should never be underestimated the lengths this team goes to, putting their lives at risk, often at odd hours and under severe weather conditions, to rescue those in danger.
How Australia is saying thanks to frontline heroes
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has declared this Australia Day as our national day of thanks following a tumultuous 12 months. Find out what is being said in your state.
Retirees doubled volunteering efforts in 2020
As demand for food relief increased in 2020, Trevor and Judy Grant did not think twice about giving up their time to help.