Neville Graham has been named Lismore City Council's 2025 Citizen of the Year at this year's Australia Day Awards held at the Whitehorse Theatre at Southern Cross University.
Neville is a well-known local identity who has selflessly volunteered in emergency services, the SES and numerous community groups over the past 40 years.
Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said Neville "embodies the very best of Lismore's spirit".
"I congratulate Neville on winning this award and thank him for his commitment to our community," he said.
"I would also like to congratulate and thank all the winners and nominees in the various categories who have all freely given their time and energy to making Lismore an even better place to live, work and raise a family."
Citizen of the Year – Neville Graham
Neville Graham is an outstanding community member who has 40+ years in emergency services and given his time to the Lismore community through his volunteering with the SES, Army Reserves, Cave Rescue, the police and Police Rescue as well as the Westpac Helicopter and other sports and community groups, events and initiatives. He is selfless and giving of his time, strongly valuing community and helping others.
Neville has been involved in many aspects of community service in Lismore and beyond. Since Boys Brigade to the NSW Police Force from 1982 – 2006. During that time, he was highly trained and skilled, working in the Police Rescue Squad full time from 1989 – 1993 and then instrumental in his work and training in Lismore Police Rescue Squad from 1993 – 2006. He has officially been a member of the Lismore SES since 2008, volunteering many hours of his time to the maintenance, training, meetings, events, incidents and wellbeing support of others. His local knowledge and skills in rescue and events is invaluable.
Neville has been President for Souths Cricket Club and part of the District Cricket committee. He has been a Westpac Rescue Helicopter Volunteer and has led and been involved in Helicopter fundraising events such as a postie bike tour to Cape York and as a participant in many annual events such as the 'Hell on Water' Kayaking event, often recruiting others through his social and SES networks.
Neville has received medals for his roles in both Police and SES. Recently receiving medals through SES for his roles in the Lismore Fires and Floods.
- 1998 National Medal NSW Police
- 2010 National Medal – Clasp 1 NSW Police
- 2017 SES Commissioner Unit Citation for outstanding efforts during the flood event
- 2018 National Medal – Clasp 2 NSW Police
- 2020 Premiers Bushfire Emergency Citation
- 2023 SES Long Service Award 15 years
- 2023 NEMCL5 Bushfires 2019/20
- 2024 SES Commissioner Commendation for Courage for the courageous actions during flood rescues at the 2022 Flood event
- 2024 SES Commissioner Unit Citation for exceptional commitment to the community through life-preserving support rendered during the 2022 flood event.
Other winners announced during the Australia Day celebrations were:
Services in the Community (Individual) – Tracy Ward
Since purchasing the South Lismore Post Office, Tracy started a campaign to raise the heart of Lismore. She has created a number of community initiatives, including an inter-generational communications activity that has seen hundreds of local children sending letters, pictures, postcards and parcels to the older persons who are ordinarily disconnected from our community. She has visited schools and nursing homes with her message of kindness and the Story Book Gardens Campaign and has seen hundreds of pictures transforming the walls of local nursing homes. As a reward for the children's efforts, she transformed her post office into a Gingerbread house, delighting the community, generating tourism, business and community connections and raising the morale of the entire region. Further, she initiated the #Lismore Boom, an initiative designed to draw attention and foot traffic to local businesses whilst inspiring play and creativity, providing Boomers for local businesses and linking them to social media, driving traffic and sales.
She is currently restoring the 1880's cottage to draw tourism to the region, with a strong focus on building and restoring community, and raising the heart of the region.
Tracy has developed multiple programs and tools for the betterment of children in need, created a play-based children's social well-being program launched at the Stop Domestic Violence Conference as a new frontier in primary prevention of domestic violence, and wrote and developed 30 programs for special needs children. She has devoted the past decade to undermining Adverse Childhood Experiences and, along with her pilot program, wrote a 152,000-word thesis that combined voices from across the domestic violence sector that is now used by police and healthcare professionals as an educational resource. She devotes time to speaking out against domestic violence.
Services in the Community (Group) – Lismore CWA
Lismore CWA has been serving the community of Lismore for 100 years since 2nd December 1924. First starting as a baby change facility at City Hall the branch has evolved into being something for everyone from wonderful crafters and cooks to small town political activism, the branch continues to be guided by its members whilst working within the whole organisations ethos and protocols.
The Lismore CWA fundraised $120,000 for flood affected people in 2022. This began when CWA were contacted by a Sydney company who wanted to raise funds. The initial $20,000 started them thinking of how they could help. A lot of funds came through sister branches across the state and other organisations. The Lismore CWA premise was to buy vouchers from local businesses to support them as well.
They have supported and distributed 100 of Christine Porter's initiative of torches for older women - these torches had a radio, clock, torch and alarm on them and could be powered by sun, wind up and mains electricity. These went to 100 women in flood zones across the region.
They were successful in asking CWA to recognise and help protect koala habitat at the 2023 conference.
Lismore CWA remains committed to the CWA principles of diversity, charity and change despite an ageing membership and fluctuating numbers due to Lismore's population decline post- flood.
Volunteer of the Year – Len Ward
Len began his basketball journey in the 1960s, and since then, he has been a steadfast and invaluable presence in the Lismore Basketball community. Whether offering his expertise, officiating at school carnivals, or volunteering in the canteen, Len has always answered the call whenever Lismore Basketball needed him.
In the 1970s, Len played a crucial role in fundraising efforts for the construction of the local basketball stadium, helping to lay the foundation for the sport's continued growth in the area. Today, at the age of 80, Len remains as dedicated as ever, actively documenting the rich history of Lismore basketball while continuing to referee two nights a week.
Len's enduring commitment to the sport and his community makes him an exceptional role model. Len will always greet you with a big smile and sometimes a cracking 'dad joke' that will have you laughing. His lifelong passion for basketball and selfless service have left an indelible mark on the Lismore basketball family, inspiring generations of players and supporters alike.
Len has been:
- Referee Coach
- Development officer and trainer
- Publicity Officer
- Judiciary Chair for far North Coast Basketball
- Treasurer
- President 1960 and 1991
- Committee member
- Instructor at Lismore Police Boys Club in trampolining and gymnastics when it first opened in Lismore.
- involved helping with catering for Lions, Lismore Pipe band and Lismore basketball functions.
He also:
- Supported other basketball associations
- Refereed at state level for juniors
- supports and encourages young Aboriginal kids to play Basketball. Today Lismore boast 25% membership identifying as aboriginal.
- Has been the Vice President of the Southern Cross Conference which covered Southern Queensland and Northern NSW
- Was made a Life member Lismore Basketball
- Coached the SCU women's hockey and basketball teams
- Provided free catering for SES Richmond/Tweed training days
- Supported the Rescue Helicopter with crockery and cutlery for functions and provided a 2 course meal for the Rescue helicopter Volunteer Christmas party (178 people)
- Volunteered at Food for flood for Wardell and Lismore
For over six decades, Len has been a pillar of the Lismore Basketball community. From refereeing and fundraising to documenting the sport's history, Len's tireless commitment inspires generations.
Junior Female Sportsperson – Caitlyn Halliday
Caitlyn has shown a huge commitment to her sport as she travels over 15 hours a week for training and games, juggling this with her part time work and being a student at Lismore High.
In 2024, Caitlyn played her junior club hockey with Ascot Arana in the Brisbane and senior hockey with Casuarina in the Gold Coast League.
Caitlyn played in many tournaments throughout 2024 including:
- Under 15 Indoor Nationals in Canberra
- Under 16 Outdoor Nationals in Hobart
- Qld State Under 18 Championships. From these Championships, she was selected to represent Qld at the Under 18 National Championships.
- Under 18 National Championships on the Gold Coast.
- Under 16 Qld State Championships on the Sunshine Coast
- Under 18 indoor State Championships in Brisbane.
- Under 16 indoor State Championships at Maryborough. From these Championships Caitlyn was selected in the Qld Team to compete at the Nationals in Canberra January 2025
- Mirnawan Tournament in Malaysia in an Under 17 Queensland team
Caitlyn was awarded Toowoomba's 2023 Indoor Player of the Year for both Under 15's and Under 18's at the annual awards night.
Caitlyn has also competed at School State Championships for swimming, cross country and athletics.
Junior Male Sportsperson – Alex Sipple
Alex Sipple age 16 has recently returned from the World Power Lifting Competition in Chicago USA.
He won the Gold Medal for his age and weight class and is now the World Record Holder for the Bench Press after he broke the world record in his 2nd out of 3 attempts of Bench Press at 132.5kg. Then on his 3rd attempt he broke his own world record and lifted 140kg.
Alex also currently holds four Australian records.
Sports Team, Group or Organisation – Lismore Rowing Club
The Lismore Rowing Club has been part of the sporting community for well over a century and the current members and Executive have been dedicated for decades.
The Club was devasted by the 2022 floods but has come back and kept rowing. The club provides regular training to Trinity College and is open to all other schools. Individuals are welcome to the club for free learn-to-row classes.
Lismore has been represented in the Olympics and at state and national level and is active at yearly Northern Rivers rowing regattas.
In 2021 the Club hosted the inaugural "2480+ Lismore Regatta," a distinctive event drawing crews from up and down the coast and New England, to compete along a scenic 5-kilometre course on the Wilson River.
The event, known for its challenging distance, begins near the Lismore Rowing Club at Lismore Lake and finishes in the heart of the CBD.
The Regatta included divisions for mixed, men's, women's, and masters' crews, and has quickly become a popular event contributing to the local sporting community and showcasing Lismore's rowing scene.
Arts and Culture – Victoria Collingnon
Victoria and her business 'The Artisans Table' are very generous. She works part-time to fund her shop and the service she provides our community has more benefits than one can write.
Her business is a safe place for people to connect, unwind and relate. She teaches skills, fosters creativity and nurtures artists and creators in a kind and compassionate way.
Victoria's shop has been a saviour to many people looking for social connection, for art as therapy, for relief of stress, to learn new art forms and develop friendships. She runs children's classes and nurtures creativity and uniqueness in all of them, encouraging each child to be themselves and express their truth through their creations.
She is always up for a project and will always be the first to volunteer her time, knowledge, resources and space when she can support both kids and adults in our community to access art and craft and is rarely shown the appreciation she deserves.
Photo: All 2025 winners.
