Celebrating our community heroes
The Division 9 Community Hero Awards were held on Saturday 21st February, and a few people emailed asking for the words of my speech. Here ‘tis;
For those of you who don’t know, I’m Glenn Tozer and for about 14 years I’ve been looking after the 45,000 residents who live in the southwest of the city. My area stretches from north of the NSW border up to just south of Nerang and then west of the m1 out to lower beechmont and Numinbah valley. I reckon it’s the most beautiful part of the city… not just for its views but also for its wonderful people.
Whenever we gather in this Mudgeeraba area, we acknowledge the Kombumerri people who are traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, and we pay our respects to elders past present and emerging. This idea of respect for elders isn’t exclusive just to First Nations people though and while we mention them first because of their deep connection to the land over thousands of years, I know local Kombumerri elders would also pay respects to elders from other cultural backgrounds and community leaders who make our neighbourhoods what they are today.
In this community we respect our elders no matter where they are from and many of you, who are being honoured tonight, are elders in your own right, whether in a community group or cultural group or sporting group or in your local neighbourhood. Thank you for your leadership and for contributing to making our community the best it can be. In particular, amongst these leaders and elders, I want to give a shout out to the Federal MP for McPherson Leon Rebello who I’m so glad could join us this evening.
The Division 9 Community Hero awards was a concept devised by the Mudgeeraba Show Society. They are leaders amongst our hinterland having almost a century of experience in bringing people together for a common cause. I think it’s deeply poignant that they host and coordinate this event and I particularly want to acknowledge Melanie’s leadership and oversight of the concept. Please give her and her team a round of applause.
Also, I also want to acknowledge Bianca and Kazz from my office and Georgia Le Lay and Bethany McDonald who are amazing helpers and Yula who caters… all of these legends chip in to make this event happen and, in my role, I’m so happy to contribute divisional funds to see it come to life, when so many awesome locals champion it.
Today we will be seeing barristers and business leaders, sports administrators and coaches, mums and dads and kids, real estate agents and government representatives… some of you are even clowns… but none of you are really here for what your job or hobby might entail.
Importantly, nominees for community hero awards are here for their hearts; Their heart for community, their heart for others. Their willingness to go above and beyond to get an outcome for the community that is bigger than we might expect, or for delivering a wonderful surprise that exceeds the norm. That beautiful willingness to give a little bit more, a little bit extra, to make someone’s life, or lots of people lives, that extra bit special. Some of you have just started that journey of generosity and some of you have been giving for more than 4 or 5 decades. You’re all amazing and deeply important humans.
That attitude of generosity and giving should appropriately be accompanied by a heart of gratitude. And as the leader for this area, who gets to see all the best and worst of us on a daily basis, it’s my job to set that tone.
I am deeply grateful to all of you.
I’m grateful to some of you for that heart you have shown through the circumstance that got you nominated. And some of you for joining with me to celebrate that, sharing in our gratitude together to acknowledge the very best of who we all are.
Nights like tonight make me proud of our community and so thank you for coming to join with us. I hope as we get through this year you can all continue this important initiative and remember to keep track of great contributions you see, and also keep the momentum going into years to come, nominating others who have made a difference in your life and lives of those around you.
Stuart Legg, who founded CPR soldiers, was awarded the George O’Brien OAM Community Project of the Year Award, presented by Leon Rebello MP
Finally, to close out my remarks, each year we acknowledge a few particularly community minded locals who sadly passed away this year. We offer our condolences to their families, and as a community take a minute to mourn their loss, obviously to their families but also to the broader neighbourhoods within which they served.
George O’Brien
⁃ many of you knew George and his passion for community as a Principal, a musician, a Lion and a community organiser, and he’ll be mentioned in more detail later as we name an award in his honour.
Bill Laver
⁃ Bill was the shire chairman for this area (which is like the mayor) and will be remembered as a farmer, a councillor, a city leader, and above all, a man of integrity who gave so much of himself to the area he loved. His name and his work live on, woven into the story of Mudgeeraba and the Gold Coast.
Joan Rudd
⁃ a former Miss Hinterland and an active leader for the Gold Coast hinterland heritage museum, Joan was loved over many years, heavily involved in activities across the Mudgeeraba and Nerang regions.
Pauline Douce
⁃ a cherished member of the Springbrook community, Pauline was known for her cheekiness, her big heart and boundless energy, as she brought joy, warmth and eye rolling wherever she went. Whether she was baking up a biscuit storm, selling her handmade craft at the market or lending a helping hand to those in need, she lived her life with generosity and passion.
Sam Cilia
⁃ an active member of the Mudgeeraba rotary club amongst many other activities, much loved by his family and many locals.
Yvonne Wiggett
⁃ colloquially known as the Mayoress of Mudgeeraba, she was a long-time member of the Mudgeeraba-Robina RSL sub-branch, and would often be seen chatting with locals in the shopping centre on a daily basis, solving the problems of the city.
Let’s observe a short moment of silence for these important locals committed to community and volunteering.
As we get on with the show, can I invite Brad back up to assist with awarding our community hero recognitions.
(L-R) Brad Cooper, Glenn Tozer, Melanie Bryson, Bethany McDonald, Leon Rebello
You can get the full run down of the nominees and award winners at the Mudgeeraba Show Society web page here.