SES volunteer named Citizen of the Year at Australia Day awards

A STATE Emergency Service volunteer with over 40 years of community service has been named Citizen of the Year at the Lismore Australia Day awards.

Neville Graham was recognised for his work with the SES and police, including years in the Police Rescue Squad.

Since joining the Lismore SES in 2008, he has dedicated countless hours to training, events, and supporting others.

The awards at Southern Cross University’s Whitebrook Theatre also celebrated Len Ward as Volunteer of the Year for his six decades of service to basketball.

The Lismore branch of the Country Women’s Association was recognised for community service, alongside Tracy Ward, who transformed the South Lismore Post Office into a tourist attraction and is a passionate advocate against domestic violence.

Junior Sportspeople of the Year were hockey player Caitlyn Halliday and powerlifter Alex Sipple, who have both excelled at national and international levels.

Lismore Rowing Club was named Sports Team of the Year, while Victoria Collignon was awarded for Arts and Culture for her work at the Artisans Table, a creative hub in Lismore.

The ceremony, which also welcomed 16 new citizens from 12 countries.