Local Hero Award Winners

Volunteer of the year: People and Community

Winner: Chelsea Cappetta

Achievements include:

  • Founder and president of the ‘Raise the Gong’ charity which promotes and raises funds for women’s health issues
  • Chelsea works full time, attends Uni part time and still manages to spend over 30 hours a week on ‘Raise the Gong’ activities and fundraisers, where they were recently able to donate 5 portable DVD players to the Wollongong Cancer Care Centre to provide patients with a distraction whilst receiving treatment.

Susie Elelman’s comments:
“Chelsea is an inspiration, her dedication and the time that she puts into making ‘Raise the Gong’ a successful charity is immense, and a true testament to how one person can make a difference in a community.”

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Volunteer of the year: Sport and Recreation

Winner: Mrs Helen McKay (Mrs Mac)

Achievements include:

  • Founding member of the Oak Flats Swimming Club 39 years ago
  • In excess of 30,000 hours spent volunteering and helping the kids of the club through training sessions, administration work, and numerous other activities.

Steve Waugh’s comments:
“Amazing period of sustained service to the community through teaching, mentoring and instilling discipline into her children. Her selflessness is a fantastic example to all those she comes into contact with.”

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Junior Sports Star of the Year

Winner: Ryan Gregson

Achievements include:

  • Breaking numerous records in middle distance running
  • Being named the NSW Athletics Association’s 2007 NSW Cross Country Junior runner of the year.

Steve Waugh’s comments:
“Not only has Ryan excelled on the track and broken records, he just as importantly has become a role model and mentor to those around him with his attitude and commitment.”

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Senior Sports Star of the Year

Winner: Robbie Maddison

Achievements include:

  • Broke the Guinness World Record for the longest distance jump on a motorcycle when he cleared 351 feet in March this year
  • Ranked in the top 10 FMX riders in the world.

Steve Waugh’s comments:
“Robbie has excelled on a world stage, but appears to still be very grounded, supporting the local area and its people. He is a leader in his sport, setting world records and innovating all the time. He has the profile and attitude to be a role model for all kids.”

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Teacher of the Year

Winner: Terry Wild

Achievements include:

  • Won the prestigious Director General’s award in 2000 for Excellence in Music
  • Terry’s student vocal groups are of such a high calibre that they have been asked to perform at events such as the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, the 2000 Paralympics Opening ceremony, and various Schools Spectacular shows at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, to name a few.

Susie Elelman’s comments:
“During Terry’s 20 years of teaching, he remains an inspiration to his colleagues and constantly encourages his students to follow their dreams. His students over the years have obtained exceptional HSC results, which are often some of the best in the state.”

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Local Hero of the year

Winner: Dr. Irwin Pakula

Achievements include:

  • Recognised as the ‘face and voice’ of mental health in the Illawarra for years and a champion for the underprivileged and vulnerable
  • He gains massive respect from all who he comes in contact with including patients, nurses and doctors. Dr Pakula has been described as warm, humane and humble.

Steve Waugh’s comments:
“Dr Pakula has displayed incredible dedication to the community over a sustained period of time. Very few people have the gift of teaching and mentoring like he has, whilst also being the voice for the disadvantaged and less fortunate.”

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