The efforts and contributions of 11 shire residents were recognised with the presentation of the Bega Valley Shire Community Service Medallion on Wednesday, September 30.
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Here is some information about a few of our local recipients.
Ian Battersby – Merimbula
Ian Battersy was nominated for a Bega Valley Shire Community Medallion for the way in which he has improved the lives of many older inhabitants of Merimbula and Tura Beach.
Avril Smith, a 92-year-old Bimbimbie resident said Ian has been a lifesaver for her.
“Ian has been a wonderful help in assisting me to learn the ins and outs of the computer world. Growing older means a shortening of the list of what we are able to do. Being computer-wise with the wonderful help of Ian has opened up a new world for me and many elderly others.
Ian has answered Avril’s questions for more than a year and has asked for nothing in return. He helped set up her computer, introduced her to Facebook and taught her how to use Skype.
“I am full of gratitude to Ian, he has changed my life and has opened today’s world.
Ian came to Merimbula in 2005 after his retirement as a sound engineer and has been an active member of the local community.
He joined Spectrum Theatre Group in 2008 and managed sound production for eight shows spanning four years.
He also improved the Twyford Hall sound system, recorded and post-produced the soundtrack for the DVD of the Prix d’Amour musical.
In 2012 he recorded the Merimbula Centenary Anthem by local composer Paul Dion and provided CDs for various groups to play during the centenary celebrations.
He has managed the Merimbula Imlay Historical Society’s website and recorded many oral history CDs for the museum archives and takes photographs of their displays for posting online.
Ian also provides clerical assistance for the Bega Valley Parkinson’s support group by formatting their monthly newsletter and offering technical support for their meetings.
Alan Simpson – Merimbula
Alan Simpson has dedicated more than 30 years to the Berrambool Sporting Complex, as a founding member of the committee in 1986 and as president for the past 10 years. He also has donated hundreds of hours to mowing, trimming, cleaning up and maintenance at the complex on a regular basis.
He has been honoured with life membership of both the Australian Rugby League and the Merimbula Diggers Football Club and in 1990 he instigated the Sapphire Coast Umpires Association.
In recognition of all his sporting achievement he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal as part of the commemoration of the Bicentennial of white settlement in 2000.
in 2008 Alan took the world record for Drug Free Power Lifting in his age group with 75kg for a dead lift of 140.5kg, a record held for two years. He has also set various national records for power lifting.
In his professional capacity he has twice won Master Buildings Housing Awards and is known as a mentor and advisor withing the community.
Edward (Ted) McKeown – Merimbula
Ted McKeown has been involved in tourism in the Bega Valley Shire, particularly in Merimbula for the past 18 years and stepped up 10 years ago when Council changed the structure for tourism information and promotion.
Ted took on the challenge of opening and running the Merimbula Visitor Information Centre (MVIC) and created a voluntary organisation known as Merimbula and Sapphire Coast Promotions that ended up with members from across the Shire and from further afield. He designed the method of operation for the VIC, had it accredited with Tourism NSW as a level 1 information centre and then provided the documents to Bermagui and Eden so they could do the same.
He established a new tourism magazine that was affordable to its members and established contacts in other parts of NSW, Victoria and the ACT and personally delivered boxes of the magazine for five years. He also arranged stands at trade shows in Victoria and the ACT and manned them on an annual basis with the assistance from volunteers.
Ted organised television advertising when the recession hit and successfully promoted Merimbula and the Sapphire Coast for over five years. He contributed hundreds of hours of his own time to fill a critical gap in promoting our beautiful region.
Robert Graham – Wolumla
Shihan Rob Graham of Wolumla has dedicated a lifetime to karate and his students.
After losing a leg is a motorcycle accident at the age of 18 he refused to see his disability as a limiting factor in his life as he learnt, competed in, excelled at and then taught karate to beginners through to champions.
Rob began teaching in 1996 and over the years his students have placed in the National All Styles, the Australian Karate Federation National and State competitions.
He has had two students in the NSW State teams and girls and boys train in the Nationals All Styles and become champions in that.
His family-friendly approach means that in many instances he has trained multiple members of one family.
Rob offers affordable fees and hardship subsidisation which engenders dedication and inclusivity in all his students.
As a founding member of Kokoro Kai Goju Australia, his style of karate teaches those with difficult circumstances, intellectual and physical disabilities as well as ethnic and indigenous backgrounds that “karate is not just a sport, it’s a way of life”.
In 2010 he formed KKGA with Shihans Allan Guymer and Peter Jackson, seeking to emphasise the human and moral as well as the physical side of karate, promoting fairness, openness and equality. Kokora is Japanese for heart, soul and spirit.
In 2014 he completed his level 2 coaching course, already having held level 1 with the National Coaches Accreditation Scheme, including the study of sports science, physiology and advanced training concepts.
Shihan Rob has now been awarded the rank of 5th Dan, master instructor, which is equivalent to a Masters degree.
