Awards Night 2024

Awards Night 2024

At the Rotary Balgowlah Awards Night 130 people assembled at Wakehurst Golf Club to celebrate achievements by various members of our community – especially the awardees.

The event recognises and acknowledges the achievements of individuals and organisations or small businesses in our local community that have made a constructive contribution and positive impact. Rotary Balgowlah have been holding award evenings for over 40 years,

The people attending consisting of awardees, parents, partners, and friends along with Rotarians and their partners. We were very privileged to have the District Governor, Niranjan Deodhar and District Governor Elect, John Campbell who were officially welcomed by our club President Diana Hart OAM.

 

Club President Diana Hart OAM, District Governor Elect, John Campbell, District Governor, Niranjan Deodhar

 

 

 

 

 

 

The awards fall into the following categories:

• Youth
• Small Business
  
• Pride of Workmanship
• Community Service
  

The Youth Awards were presented by John Darragh, a former president of our club. John and wife Debbie have funded the Youth Awards over many years.

Diana Hart OAM, PPJohn Darragh, Debbie Darragh

Ben Barry (Balgowlah North Public School)

 

Ben Barry is in year 6 at Balgowlah North Public School and the principal, Jenny Mercer told us of the great help and volunteer work he does at the school and in the community.

Our second awardee was Lhamo Dorjee from Arranounbai School and Stephanie Hopkins spoke of her great involvement with helping the daily activities and helping with managing many daily chores at the school.

Alysha Thomas (Mackellar Girls Campus)

Our third youth awardee was Alysha Thomas who unfortunately was unable attend due doing to her HSC exams, however Diana Hart presented the award to her on Graduation night. Alysha was given the award because of her exceptional leadership skills within her community. She has not only been School Captain but has volunteered as a mentor for the School Homework Hub and many other causes.

Pride of Workmanship Awards

This Rotary Program was commenced in 1974 by the Rotary Club of Pennant Hills in order to provide employers with an opportunity to recognise employees for their dedication to their job.

This award is given to those people who in their job, always go the extra mile, whether it be in customer care, innovation or attention to detail. “Do it once - do it well” These awards were presented to awardees by District Governor Elect, John Campbell.

 Geraldine Pickford (Arranounbai School)

Geraldine was nominated by the Principal of Arranounbai School, Stephanie Hopkins, who said that Geraldine provides invaluable support at Arranounbai for her many varied roles both for students and staff. However, the most significant impact is for her support of parents navigating the many demands of the NDIS system. This has been a role that has evolved over the past few years and is essential to our school. Geraldine is an incredible wealth of knowledge around the many complexities of the NDIS system as she also navigates it for her own daughter Ella. Geraldine then uses her knowledge and understanding to support and guide any of our school families.

Alison Newman (Dalwood Spilsted)

Alison was nominated by Kerry Gwynn, Service Manager of Dalwood Spilstead Service.

Alison has qualifications in both psychology and early childhood teaching and is employed by the Dalwood Spilstead Service in the dual roles of Family Counsellor and Team Leader in the therapeutic preschool. This nomination however is in recognition of the extra-ordinary voluntary work that she contributes above and beyond these roles.

Alison is an exceptionally compassionate individual with a heart for vulnerable children. Alison’s additional voluntary work has included numerous and varied duties from managing the bus schedule and driving clients to appointments to organising fundraising events. Alison’s generosity and constant willingness to help, without any fuss, at any moment, is a constant inspiration to the team. No task is too small, too big or too menial. She will come in on her time off to help with creche, drive the bus, or clean the car seats. She will come in on weekends or evenings to support staff with training or assist with fundraising events.

Catherine Sweeney (Dalwood Spilstead)

Catherine was also nominated by Kerry Gwynn but unfortunately was unable to attend the night. Kerry said that Catherine is an exemplary professional who is an exceptional asset to the Dalwood Spilstead Service. Joining the team in 2014 under the charitably funded Child’s Play Project, Catherine has led the Speech Pathology team through challenging times from strength to strength.

Catherine designed a service for these children and their families which is both responsive to the child’s needs and flexible for the family, as many families find it hard to attend regular appointments due to work, travel or health limitations. As a result, the service has been able to provide intensive early intervention support for hundreds of the neediest children in our community over the past 10 years under her leadership.

Catherine is a truly remarkable professional and privilege to work with in every way. As a senior member of the service, she has shared an additional load of stress due to the funding crisis over the past few years and shouldered numerous additional responsibilities. She is more than deserving of this local recognition.

Tomas & John Woodcock (The Mind Café) 

The nomination was from Rotarian Bev Yakich who told us that Tomas and John are twins who are employed at Narrabeen’s popular Mind Café.

The proprietors, Guy & Ana Morel have an inclusive policy for people with a disability, providing successful applicants with an opportunity to participate in the work force.

These young men are highly valued for their efficiency and independent, confident attitude to their job. Their polite, friendly manner make them popular with the café’s customers & staff.

At a an interview with proprietor Ana she commented that  "They were both invaluable employees who helped make the cafe the success that it is".

Guest Speaker: District Governor Niranjan Deodhar

Niranjan Deodhar Graduated in Delhi with a Technology degree in Electrical Engineering and founded a Technology Company called Open Orbit. He has worked on creating change programs in Australia, India and Silicon Valley. He joined the Rotary Club of Beecroft in 2017, holding several positions including President and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow in 2018.

Niranjan outlined a winning essay in a Rotary contest that was written by a 10 year old student  about the rescue of a koala from a bushfire as seen and described by the koala who is rescued by a stranger. Niranjan used it as a story showing the roles of Rotarians and those that it helps.

The personification of the koala as a bushfire victim - people can through unfortunate circumstances in the world will suffer hardship from not only from possible bushfire, but flood, war, disease, lack of access to water or toilets, no access to hospitals, education or employment.

Possibly people born in the wrong location, or side of the border, or maybe wrong side of the street or even a river, have a significant possibility of being just like that koala. Rotarians have the opportunity to be rescuer - the stranger. The role of being the stranger is a matter of choice but that of the koala is not. "If one has the hand and the heart for service, there is a place in Rotary for you...."

Niranjan also spoke of the magic of Rotary acting locally in the community as well as being a global humanitarian organisation. The importance of being both non political and non religious (a fact we take for granted in Australia) and the members are volunteers who contribute their time, talents and support in many ways. 

Rotary is changing; not the objectives and values but the methods have changed and will continue to change.  Rotary now welcomes volunteering without joining as members  - but still part of the movement and part of the fellowship; the resources and networks are available to the volunteer.

Small Business Awards - presented by DG Niranjan Deodhar

Ravs Electrical (James Ravesteyn)

Diana Hart nominated this business and explained that Ravs Electrical is a small electrical business, founded in the Frenchs Forest area in 2013, when James, by agreement with his employer branched out on his own. There are now six staff, including one administration person and one who is a subcontractor.

Staff retention is high. Noting that the business is now 11 years old, one staff member has been with it for 10 years and another for 8 years. Promotion is via word of mouth and most business is repeat business,

Complaints are given top priority, and he quoted one this week which was initially resolved on the same day by phone with a next day follow-up to address the cause of the problem (a faulty appliance).

A great example of a small business where customer service is paramount, and which is demonstrated by repeat business and referrals.

Moreish café (Nick Kiourkas)

This business was nominated by Hearher Sare. 

Moreish cafe is a family business that has operated in Stocklands Balgowlah for over 15 years and has a wider range of excellent, fresh and health foods using family recipes & no filler or additives.  The importance of customer input and opinions in the conduct of the business has bearing on the success of the business.
It has changed products over time to suit customers tastes and avoid local competition. Service is a key aspect of customer satisfaction and it attracts customers from as far as Mosman.

  

Pizza at Yours (Emiliano Maturo)

This award was nominated by Rotarian Robert Exner. 

This well patronised restaurant is located on Sydney Road at Fairlight and has an great variety of Italian foods, some with a unique Australian fusion. All pizzas are crafted from scratch with carefully selected, fresh ingredients and has has creative pizzas such as Wagyu bresaola, with tomato sauce, rocket, cherry tomato, shaved Parmesan and lemon oil.  They also cater for take away and deliveries. 

 

The journey began in 2021 when a young passionate Italian Emiliano ventured from the south of Italy and established a cosy Trattoria at the heart of Sydney's Northern Beaches. The venue is comfortable and licensed offering local and imported wines and beers in a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

 

Staff are very attentive, courteous, professional and welcome customer feed back. Food quality and service are the stand out attributes of the business - both management and staff are most aware of being important representatives of the local community through quality of food, service and maintaining a friendly and enjoyable venue. All understand the importance of customer satisfaction and maintaining a good business reputation.

 

in a short time they have made a positive impact to both the local business community and the sector in which they operate.

 

Community Service Awards - presented by DC Niranjan Deodhar.

The final awards of the night were the Community Service Awards. Australia has a fine tradition of volunteering when there is a need. These awards are given to individuals or groups who are doing amazing work in their local communities, usually as volunteers, but sometimes as an extension of their job.

 Hugh Davidson (Rainbow Club)

Nominated was by Alex Vaccher, Development manager North Shore/ Northern Beaches Rainbow Club. Rainbow club is a social swimming club for children with a disability.

Hugh started swimming at Warringah Club when he was 5 years old. He has been with the club over 14 years.

Hugh became more involved in the club and became a volunteer when he saw that many of the students were struggling in the water so Hugh decided to jump in to help. He has become a valuable member of the team helping both the instructors & the children every Sunday for several hours. He encourages the children to keep going, to listen to the instructors, gives demonstrations how to do each stroke & gets the equipment that is needed. As Alex (Development Manager for Rainbow Club Australia) explained, “many of our teachers do not have a lived experience of disability so having Hugh in the water volunteering for us is amazing”.He is also the Santa for the end of year Xmas party handing out chocolates to all.

Hugh also does work experience at  Arranounbai School where he helps with the lessons, gets involved in the Xmas set-up and generally helps the students when needed He also helps at Willoughby High school where he attends & interacts with the students, assists with spelling tests, helps in the kindy classes and helps get the children on the bus.

PP Rick Van Bruuge (right ) & Alex Vaccher outlining Hugh's nomination

Andrew Ward (Head Above Water)

Andrew Ward is the founder of the 24-hour Head Above Water Swim. He was nominated by Steven Gamble, Founder of Anchor Health.

Andrew & Head Above Water has fund raised over $500,000 dollars for mental health education and suicide prevention programs for the Northern Beaches. With Andrew's & Head Above Water,s support the Anchor Health organisation has provided mental health and suicide prevention education to over 10,000 residents aging from 10 to 85.

"With the support of Andrew and the event we have change countless lives and saved many. Only in the last term of school we had 4 students reach out having thoughts of suicide which we were able to get support for, this would not have happened if it wasn’t for Andrew and the Head Above Water event and fundraising. The education programs empowered these young students feel confident enough to reach out."

On the Northern Beaches suicide and mental health issues impact many people across all age groups and genders, hand on heart, Steven said that  if it wasn’t for Andrew and the event bringing our community together to talk about and support this issue, we would have lost many more and had many people not seeking help living in illness.

(left to right) Steven Gamble, Andrew Ward, Niranjan Deodhar, Diana Hart

 

Ann Blackstone (Botanical Gardens)

Ann was nominated by PP Lindy Myers.

Ann is a volunteer at the Sydney Botanical Gardens. She is involved assisting in the shop and café, but most important and what she enjoys the most is prorogation of new plants. These plants are then either planted through the garden or sold to the public.

 

Ann has always enjoyed working in the garden and when she heard about the opportunity of volunteering in one of Sydney’s biggest she did not hesitate to sign up.

 

Operating during COVID was particularly difficult since no one was allowed to visit because of the lockdown but plants needed attending. 

 

The Botanical Gardens is looking to expand its services and Ann is hoping to be a part of this expansion.  Ann's advice to people who want to volunteer, "do something that you enjoy, that is not a burden but a pleasure ".

 

 Wayne Richmond (Humph Hall) 

Nominated by Rick van Brugge.

Wayne & his wife Gail converted what was formerly the Allambie Heights Uniting Church into “Humph Hall” which is part of their private home and which is equipped with a stage, lighting and triple-glazed the windows to keep the traffic noise out.

The main reason for the establishment of Humph Hall was for it to be used as a rehearsal and performance space for a community-based music ensemble that he is the founding director of - called Loosely Woven an ad hoc group of 20+ musicians and singers that has been going continuously for 28 years. Loosely Woven puts together 2 or 3 brand new shows each year and performs them at various venues in Sydney and regional New South Wales.The group also regularly performs in retirement villages & nursing homes.

Wayne convenes rehearsals, arranges most of the music, books the venues, occasionally takes the group on tour, his energy, musical contribution and leadership have been nothing short of extraordinary.The group also regularly performs in retirement villages & nursing homes.

Wayne convenes rehearsals, arranges most of the music, books the venues, occasionally takes the group on tour, his energy, musical contribution and leadership have been nothing short of extraordinary.

Since opening in June 2009, many other community events have taken place in Humph Hall including community concerts, art exhibitions by local artists, music student showcases etc. and numerous professional Australian and international artists have been invited into their home to perform in what would have to be one of the best house concert venues in the world! (at least according to Wayne). He also videos all artists’ performances which they can then use to assist them in getting other gigs and into music festivals. He does this all at no charge for them and which involves countless hours of work for him!

Wayne has immense enthusiasm for what he does, makes a significant impact to the local community which is all done on a totally voluntary basis.

Wayne explains Humph Hall

 

 

Thanks to all who made it happen:

An event like this doesn’t just happen without a lot of hard work behind the scenes. 

So thank you to our nominators, and our interviewers of all the nominations, Sue Terry, Heather Sare, Tony Hill, Roger Gray, Rick van Brugge, Yvonne Howie, Robert Thompson and Robert Exner. 

A very special thanks to Roger, Rick , Tony and Lindy for the monumental effort organising the many aspects of a holding an evening like tonight so successfully.

Also thank you to our photographer John O’Brien, who not only took photos tonight but visited awardees, taking photos of their workplaces and to Lindy Myers for coordinating all the audio visual and table decorations.