Today's Lismore City Council Australia Day awards recognised some of the many individuals and groups who have been giving so much back to our local community.

With an impressive line up of nominees present at Lismore City Hall, a gathered audience clapped and cheered as Ros Sten, Dr Ian Cappe, John Devoy, Fred Hoskins, The Lord Taverners and Lismore Rugby Union Under 18s Colts team were all recognised with an award for services to the community.

Read the full list of nominees: Lismore's 2021 Australia Day Award nominees announced

Aboriginal Elder Gilbert Laurie conducts a smoking ceremony

After a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Aboriginal Elder Gilbert Laurie and a rendition of the Australian national anthem by Luke Vassella, Lismore’s Mayor Isaac Smith presented each nominee with a framed certificate, before the following winners in each award category were announced by Council’s general manager Shelley Oldham.

Read about Lismore's ambassador: George Ellis replaces Doug Hawkins as Australia Day Ambassador

Luke Vassella performs.

Lord Taverners executive committee members and volunteers Joanne Cooper (chair), Warren Phelps and Jenny Cook.

Services in the Community (Group) - The Lord’s Taverners Northern NSW

Despite 2020 being a tough year for fundraising, The Lord’s Taverners’ still managed to raise $40,000 in a virtual Darryl Chapman Fun run.

Lord Taverners executive committee members and volunteers Joanne Cooper (chair), Warren Phelps and Jenny Cook said that Covid gave them an opportunity to think outside the box.

“We couldn’t do a lot of our programs – like the twice weekly community dinners for Our House, we but still managed to come up with a few new programs like the TAFE resilience awards," Joanne said. "It recognised students that have overcome challenging circumstances to complete TAFE courses. Now, we will expand it into Southern Cross University.”

Warren said there were 19 different programs and coordinators in the organisation, as well as volunteers helping out.

“Receiving this award recognises the hard work of members over the years and gets the name of the organisation out there – maybe people want to join or someone sees us and knows we can help them.”

The Lord Taverners began with a cricket focus, helping individuals by providing scholarships to get to sporting events – but expanded over the years. They still provide University scholarships and now also have the Bod Squad program for Year Nine girls to develop physical and mental well being.

Read more about the Lord Taverners:  Stan Gilchrist "cricket is in our blood"

Warren Noble: on life, Norco, cricket, dairying and charity

Aboriginal Citizen of the Year - Rosslyn Sten

Up against Greg Telford for the award, Richmond Police District Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer (ACLO) Ros Sten said she was still in shock about winning.

“I thought Greg would get it - he’s done some wonderful things in our community,” Ros said.

As a Widjabal Elder and ACLO, Ros provides knowledge and guidance to assist community and police in her essential role – and she loves doing it.

“This is my country, this is my bloodline – I’m community minded that’s the way I was raised,” Ros said. “I’ve been an ACLO for 12 years and before that, 14 years working in TAFE education and I’m still serving the same mob with a different hat on now.”

While the Australia Day awards ceremony was happening, in Lismore’s CBD a Survival Day rally called for a change of date. Read about it: Survival Day rally marches through Lismore CBD

When asked about the rally and it's aims to make change, Ros said “we are all one now.”

“We can’t send youse all home, so we may as well be one,” she laughed. “We are all Australian - the only thing we have is that connection to country and that is so important.”

“We are the original descendants of our people for 60,000 years and that is more important to me than a date. We have a history and it is a deep love of the land and it’s where we originate from and that’s what I see my job as - to educate and help people understand.”

Read more about Ros Sten

Citizen of the Year - Dr Ian Cappe

Lismore’s Citizen of the year is Lismore Base Hospital radiologist, Dr Ian Cappe. His provision of specialised interventional radiology services to the local area has resulted in pioneering how we treat the removal of kidney stones.

Dr Cappe said he moved to Lismore 35 years ago to raise his family here.

“I just love Lismore,” he said. “It’s been a honour and a privilege to work here providing radiology services at Lismore Base Hospital.

“Radiology is a key part of medicine – and medically Lismore is well serviced with a great hospital, cancer centre and Our Kids too.”

Sports Team, Group or Organisation- Lismore Rugby Union Under 18s Colts team

After two under 18s players died last year, it was a tough year for the Lismore rugby club players. Through a difficult time, these boys played on and held the spirit of rugby up. Through extreme emotional difficulties, these boys played on and won the grand final, highlighting their true character and pride in sport.

Arts and Cultural Contribution - John Devoy

For more than 40 years John’s managing skills ensured the success of Lismore’s Eisteddford, with his work reaching businesses, competitors and audiences.

His technical skills with sound and lighting ensured a first class event, especially through Covid 19 and the event still being able to continue through his event planning and excellence in stage presentation.

Services in the Community (Individual) - Fred Hoskins

Fred has been long-acknowledged by locals as the unacknowledged mayor of Wyrallah. He has long been contributing to the Wyrallah community and is known for his generosity and humility.

For over 60 years, he has been a member of the Wyrallah Hall committee and was a former student of Wyrallah public school – and still provides free produce to students and makes wooden objects for the school.

He put out numerous historical publications about the area and had World War 1 and 2 memorials rededicated to the Australian war memorial. He has been a long term choir member of St Anglican's church at Wyrallah for decades.

As a church volunteer, Fred has been responsible for rebuilding every element of the church from the altar to the rails or the bell tower. Fred organised community fundraising events for families in need.

Read about other locals awarded with national Australia day medals:

Local doctor David Scott honoured with OAM for medical service

Koala conservation work brings Lorraine Vass a national honour