2019 Citizen of the Year Award - Debbie Alker
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From her workplace at the Tathra Post Office, Deb has a stellar view of the ocean. But she must hardly get to enjoy it given the many volunteer roles she undertakes within her community.
The Tathra Sea Eagles AFL Club, the Lions Club, various community fundraising events and local schools have all benefited from Deb’s involvement and enthusiasm over the years.
Deb’s incredible commitment to her community became even more evident in March 2018 during the aftermath of the Tathra and District Bushfire.
When the people of Tathra were reeling from the tragedy and trying to adjust to a “new normal”, Deb at the Post Office was a mainstay of normality for many.
Even though some of Deb’s family and friends lost their homes in the fire, Deb was committed to keeping the Post Office services running as normal, and in so doing she provided an important community hub, disseminating and sharing vital information about bushfire-related services and meetings, offering people a reassuring chat, and providing that all-important social glue in a time of great stress and distress.
As a grateful resident said, “Going to the Post Office was a little bit like going home – especially for those of us who had no home to return to.”
Deb’s selfless service to her community over many years and more recently after the bushfire tragedy, has made a significantly positive impact on the lives of people in Tathra.