Elide Gava may not be a household name in the Lismore LGA, but she has been a household name in the Italian community for the last forty plus years.

Yesterday, Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin named Elide, more commonly known as Ellie Gava, the Lismore Electorate Woman of the Year, at a private function at St Carthage's Community Care in Goonellabah.

(Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin talking about Ellie Gava's achievements yesterday.)

Ms Saffin praised her community leadership and volunteering over many years. 

Ellie was to have travelled to Sydney to accept the award from Premier Chris Minns, but she took ill and couldn't make the trip. She wasn't too disappointed, though, because now she could share the award with her lifelong friends.

"I feel humble," Ellie told the Lismore App, "Humble and proud."

"I don't think I've done anything spectacular. I mean, I did what I wanted to do and followed my dreams mostly, and I think I've achieved most of them.

"I suppose I do get a bit of acclaim for having done this, but I couldn't have done it on my own. I've got to say that the volunteers were a big help.

"I couldn't do it without them because the first day we started, there were 100 people, and in the next few months, it was a regular 70 to 75. That's a lot of work for the volunteers.

"They even had to buy the food in those days and prepare the morning tea and lunches, wash up and take the washing home.

"So, I get the blame for starting it, and I get the acclaim for running it, but it's the volunteers that need all the accolades."

Ellie was referring to 1984, the year she had the idea to organise a support group for older Italians. She saw a need for local Italians to be able to meet up weekly, speak Italian, eat Italian food, play cards and tombola (bingo), so she started the Seniors Day Club.

The Seniors Day Club is Ellie's legacy; it continues today and is expanding to Casino. The only difference today is that Ellie enjoys the day as a participant rather than a volunteer. It is now run by the staff at St Carthage's Community Care.

In her speech, Janelle Saffin said, “When I look at the list of achievements and the many projects and community programs Ellie has initiated and been involved in, I realise this could also be called a lifetime achievement award.” 

“Ellie is known for her years of work supporting the local Italian community, particularly older Italians – and her efforts have enriched the wider community. 

“She is someone who would see a community need, think of a solution and work to make it happen. 

“Talk to anyone in the Italian community and they will have a story of what Ellie has done. 

That story involves a long list of achievements, such as The New Italy Museum, the Continental Music and Sports Club and Bocce courts that were on Uralba Street, The Lismore Friendship Festival (now called LisAmore!) Casa Serena accommodation for older Italians, the Italo Club (now the Marconi Club), getting the mosaic in Spinks Park to commemorate the early Italian settlers and more.  

(Ellie Gava and Janelle Saffin share a joke)

“As a child of Italian parents, Ellie understands the contribution made by Italian migrants to the social, commercial and agricultural heritage of this area, and she has helped document this history," Ms Saffin explained. 

“Ellie has served our region as a teacher, a tuckshop parent, a seamstress, a judge of sewing and handicrafts at local agricultural shows. 

Ellie thanked Ms Saffin for the award, and praised Chris Pauling (now one of Ms Saffin's Lismore backroom staff) for getting her the funding.

"And I think I have to tell you who my hero is because she is sitting over there today. That is Chris Pauling, who got us our first funding to start the daycare going. She's my hero."

This isn't the first time that Ellie has received a prominent award. There have been three Premiers Awards since 2003, all for her volunteer work and the contributions she has made to not only the Italian community but, more broadly, the Lismore community.

It is hard to deny Ellie another award for her selfless achievements throughout her life.