TIME to start thinking about who you believe is a top Sawtellian, someone who has made an outstanding contribution to Sawtell in 2022 and will shine as Sawtellian of the Year and Young Sawtellian of the Year.

Organising Committee Chairperson Keith Bensley told News Of The Area the nomination process will open soon.

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“Anyone who has made an outstanding contribution to the Sawtell community can be nominated for recognition as Sawtellian of the Year and Young Sawtellian of the Year,” he said.

“The Young category was introduced in 2021 for our younger achievers up to the age of eighteen, as at 31 December 2022, who have made a significant contribution to the Sawtell community.”

This year’s winners were Young Sawtellian of the Year Joe Clarke and Sawtellian of the Year Ton Huybregts.

“Joe Clarke was recognised for his amazing achievements in lawn bowls championships at age seventeen and Ton Huybregts was recognised for his long history of volunteering and fundraising for the community.”

Looking towards who will be nominated for the 2023 title, Keith said any person, club, school or organisation can nominate up to two persons they consider are worthy of recognition.

“Nominations can be one for each category or two for any one category but the nominee’s contribution must relate to the community of Sawtell.

The recognition for the town’s outstanding community members through the Sawtellian of the Year program has been running for many years, with the Honour Board dating back to 1987 seeing Mick Stanley as the first title bearer.

Young Sawtellian of the Year was inaugurated by the current committee in 2021.

The title is awarded each New Year’s Day at the Sawtell Super Fun Day at the Village Green, Sawtell Beach Holiday Park.

Individuals are judged in terms of their achievements in their particular interest or their contribution to benefitting the community.

Keith added, “If you want to be part of the 2023 action, we can always use more help.

“We are particularly in need of helpers to keep the website and social media updated.”

If this is you, please send an email to sawtellfunday@gmail.com or give Keith a call on 0438 269 210.

Keep your eye on future editions of NOTA for news on when nominations for Sawtellians of the Year open.

By Andrea FERRARI