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Todd Atkins
In July this year, Todd Atkins was enjoying a relaxed drive around Gosford, looking at properties for sale, when he saw a burning house. Assuming there were people inside, the 23-year-old stormed into the two-storey residence and set about saving lives. Defying raging flames and thick smoke, he rescued 70-year-old grandfather Keith Rampono, who had been asleep in a bedroom. Todd said his actions had been instinctive. "You don’t even think about it. You just do it because your adrenalin is pumping." Mr Rampono said of Todd’s actions: "If he hadn’t banged on the door, I wouldn’t have known anything. The man saved my life."
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John Harper
WHEN John Harper, 54, isn't rounding up sheep, he searches the Outback for people losing touch with their own flock. The farmer from Stockinbingal in the state's southwest looks for country men who are struggling through depression on their own. John visits rural towns,getting troubled farmers together to talk over their problems. He drags them out of the house under the guise of bush hockey, tai chi, golf, bowls and barbecues.
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Warren Anderson
Warren's life inexplicably changed forever in 2005 when his daughter died after being admitted to hospital with a head injury incurred during a gold tournament. Warren and his wife Michelle knew from day one that it wasn't the golfing accident that took their daughter's life. Warren forced a coronial inquest into his daughter's death and the Coroner's findings, handed down this year, stated Vanessa's death was avoidable. Warren showed great courage to find the truth and his primary motive was to ensure other parents did not have to suffer similar circumstances.
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Julie Leah Clarke
In 2006, Julie initiated the Australian Seabird Rescue South Coast branch, a group of volunteers who share a common interest in the environment through their love of seabirds. She has rescued hundreds of birds and turtles, also providing treatment and release to the wild. She organises and conducts workshops on community awareness of the environment and seabird rescue throughout the south coast. She works in citizen advocacy, providing support for people with intellectual disabilities and is the founding coordinator of Wollongong Ocean Swimmers.
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Sudan Somasundaram
Sudan has been the director of a before and after school care centre at Malabar Public School for 12 years. He goes beyond the normal parameters of his job, giving up his time to organise and produce discos and outings for children of all backgrounds. He has spent countless hours painting murals on the school walls to honour the indigenous people of Australia. He works tirelessly to ensure that his kids have what they need.
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Martin, Morris & Jones Real Estate:
Philip Jones, Daniel Hastings, Michael Croghan, Geoff Jones, Alan Chaffers, Rob Aubin,
Matthew MorganWhen their friend and colleague Warren Hayes was struck down with a life-threatening brain tumour, leaving him paralysed and wheelchair bound, these seven amazing men from MMJ Real Estate set up a five-day weekly roster to visit Warren every afternoon, assisting with his rehabilitation. Eleven years on, they still visit at 5pm each evening to give Warren a chance to stretch his body.
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Kevin Garrick
As principle of Sarah Redfern High School for the past six years, Kevin is renowned for encouraging, supporting and inciting a passion for public education. He has a long and positive history of working with the indigenous and the Pacific Islander community that spans over 37 years. Following the tragis death of a student, Kevin created the Garden of Healing, providing a place for solace for grieving families and students.It is an oasis of green and tranquility celebrating over 25 cultures, rejoicing in cultural diversity and a cohesive community.
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Odette Marks
Odette has been responsible for making kids on the mid north coast feel great about themselves and their abilities by initiating Missabotti Idol, a singing competition which ran from February to June. During this time she suffered two break ins at her home, her car was vandalised and she was bashed outside her home and hospitalised. But she never cancelled the competition. She said providing events which helped young people grow and develop was important and made the children feel acknowledged and valued in the community.
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Deborah Lee
MOST new mums look forward to the day their baby sleeps through the night but, for Deborah Lee, that day is yet to come. The devoted foster parent has been taking in newborn babies for 25 years and says she is used to the lack of sleep. The mother-of-three estimates she and husband Cedric have cared for 150 babies and children placed in their care by the Department of Community Services. The Manly mum said she was on a "one-man crusade" to encourage more people to take on the role to overcome a shortage.
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Tara Samuel, Heidi Robertson
After the death of her mother last year, Tara decided to raise money for the Cancer Council to help raise awareness and fund research. She enlisted the help of her friend Heidi and they began the “Big Lunch” for students at St Luke’s Grammar Junior School. They united the school community, raising $2000. When presenting the cheque to the Cancer Council, Tara and Heidi were told they were the youngest findraisers for the charity.
