Jessica is a student at Northholm Grammar School. In 1993 she was diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes aged 2 years and has been on a strict diet plus has to inject herself four times a day ever since.

For nearly 15 years Jessica has been involved with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She has, since 1994, participated in the ‘Walk to Cure Diabetes’. In 2007 Jessica was named ‘2007 Walk Hero’, and was appointed Youth Ambassador for JDRF. Her aim is to raise awareness of the urgent need for funding to find a cure.

She with two other students, co-ordinated Northholm’s trivia night in 2008 raising over $4,300 a wonderful outcome.

Jessica is an outstanding young lady.

Bakte & Rushme Shah

Bakte and Rushme Shah have been operating Glenorie Post Office for almost three years. They came from India with two small children 20 years ago and live in Cherrybrook. Their son is now at University and daughter in year 12 at Cherrybrook High School. Bakte and Rushme took on the agency and brought to the business excellent standards. They are always pleased to see their customers, remembering the names of the regulars. Elderly customers receive wonderful personal help and attention. The shop itself was improved and modernised and offers a great selection of so many items. High praise has come from their customers and maybe the highest of all from a retired Postmistress of Glenorie Post Office.

The community is fortunate to have two such caring folk in their midst.

Lynn Bradley

We are delighted to have such a great business in our midst.

Colin & Christine Schwebel

The Schwebel family namely Adam and Harriet moved to Glenorie in 1891. The family have been involved with building the community since that time. Colin and Christine have continued in the family tradition of hard work and community. 38 years ago Colin started his own Butcher’s shop. He had worked for Ces and Barry Allan and then bought them out. Christine has been at Colin’s side for 35 of those years. A six day week has always been the norm and if an emergency arises, then Colin will open up on a Sunday. They have never taken a holiday. Chris used to do the home deliveries as far out as St Albans. They have supported the community for all the 38 years. Charities, The Bush Fire Brigades, Glenorie and Hillside Schools, The Glenorie School Centenary, and the Bush Fire victims of this area in 2002. After 38 years of giving, it is high time that the community said thank you to Christine and Colin. There is not greater achievement than operating a successful business for all those years, keeping thousands of customers satisfied and happy.

Congratulations on a long and fruitful service to the community of Glenorie and beyond.

A comment from the ‘Glenorie Public School Centenary & District History’

"A true pioneering family, the Schwebels have contributed in many ways to the District of Glenorie, both in the area of farming and service to the Community".

Ray Hume

Ray Hume is a caring person who is really involved in his community. He spends many hours helping people in need in Nursing Homes and in Prison. He does welfare calls for St. Vincent de Paul in our area and visits people in hospital. Ray is also very committed to Church events. If anyone needs a hand to move house or solve a problem, Ray is there to help them.

As one of the nominators for Ray said, "Ray is a model citizen and a very caring gentleman". Thank you for your amazing work within our community.

Barry Purnell

Barry Purnell was nominated by the Activities Team at Bunnings Dural. He conducts Weekend DIY workshops and has established an evening handcraft class where participants create items for charity. In 2008 these items were Possum boxes and were donated to WIRES & Sydney Wildlife. This year handmade wooden toys are being created for a children’s charity. Barry and Di Dofel have established ‘The Friends of Warrah’. The aim is to improve the living conditions for the disabled clients of Warrah. Although turning 69 this year Barry shows no sign of slowing down. A comment from his nominator "He shows incredible passion & dedication to his work above and beyond what is required".

Unfortunately Barry cannot receive the Award in person as he is trekking in the West McDonald Ranges, west of Alice Springs.

Janet has lived in the Galston area for 10 years, during that time she has become involved in things such as the Galston and District Eisteddfod and has been President for the last 5 years. Janet is the motivator and organiser of the Galston Uniting Men’s Choir and within the church, organises Community Concerts. She regularly plays the piano at the Church and sometimes sings. Galston Public School is delighted to have Janet as a reading tutor for children with difficulties. She has been on the Board of the Long Day Care Centre at Galston for a number of years. In whatever field she is involved in she gives 120%, she is certainly a wonderful giver, so it is a pleasure to give something to Janet

Glynn Jacobs

Glynn has been employed by Lorick Management for just 12 months, in that time the organisation has increased its turnover by 60%. Her continuous effort and motivation sees her through the most demanding work, her focus never waivers no matter how tired she becomes. She has in a short time built excellent relationships within the media and with clients. On a trip to New Zealand she delivered a presentation to Travel Agents for the first time, the response from the Agents was that she had inspired and motivated them. Glynn has been involved in the local community since 2000. She has run the local WIRES since 2000 and has a home with many animal residents who need loving care and attention. Glynn supports her family in the Rural Fire Service and sees the community spirit as an essential ingredient to life.

Kim’s love of horticulture started early in her grandfather’s garden in New Zealand. This brought an interest in home grown vegetables, fruit, scented and rare plants.

She trained in London for Aromatherapy and massage. Whilst there she visited many beautiful English gardens. She created her own London Garden and kept an allotment for vegetables and fruit grown organically.

In order to gain more skills Kim studied Horticulture and Plantsmanship at the Chelsea Physic Garden, London. She was taught & inspired by some of the leading Plantsmen/women in Britain. She established a loyal client base in London for Horticultural design and maintenance, and attended courses on Plant Photography.

Kim has been working at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney, since returning from London. Her experience in the UK did not prepare her for the climate and plants of Australia. Working with the Nursery team at the Royal Botanical Gardens has been such a pleasure for her, with so much to learn about Nursery production. Kim enrolled in the Nursery Certificate course to improve her Horticultural knowledge, and Nursery skills. At the Royal Botanical Gardens, she has looked after the Herb Garden, other different themes, and loves the Rose Garden. Study will be a part of her life, with so much to learn in the future.

Rod tallis spent all his life in Arcadia, where he made a success of whatever he chose to do.  He established Overland nursery in 1973 with his wife Julia. This became an outstanding and highly respected business within the nursery industry. Rod crammed into his brief 36 years, what most of us take a lifetime to achieve. His dedication and commitment to his business and community life were numerous.  Rod held various offices in this church, the Galston Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Nurseryman’s Association and the Sydney Regional Branch of the Association and the Rotary Club of Galston where he was a charter member.  In 1980 the Ryde School of Horticulture offered a three year Nursery Trade Course, which was designed to train persons interested in nursery production. Rod spent time helping with the content of the course.  The Rod Tallis Memorial Shield is presented to the student in Horticulture who has highest marks over the three year course in memory of Rod Tallis.