Well-known event manager and community volunteer Aliison Kelly has been named Lismore’s 2019 Citizen of the Year.
Aliison was one of 10 individuals and groups recognised at the Australia Day Awards ceremony today, where Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith also welcomed 19 new Australian citizens in the annual Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony.
Aliison has volunteered her time, energy and skills over many years with community groups and organisations in the arts, events, koala conservation, horticulture and bush regeneration.
She has been secretary of Lismore’s Friends of the Koala for four years and is a long-time volunteer with LightnUp, helping to produce and coordinate the annual Lismore Lantern Parade.
Aliison was a producer’s assistant/production manager with the team that created the internationally-acclaimed dirtgirlworld and has been associated with numerous projects with Screenworks.
She is festival manager for the annual Lismore Friendship Festival held in Spinks Park and works with the volunteer organising committee of Carnevale Italiano at New Italy Museum.
Aliison is passionate about the natural environment and has worked with councils and landowners in the region to improve land management practices as well as designing effective waste management and water-saving programs at events she facilitates.
She also uses her extensive skills in logistics, placemaking, site management and administration to train volunteers so they can better organise and operate their own community events.
“Aliison’s friendly, practical demeanour has helped energise many events, markets and workshops in this community over many years, and her strength and resilience has helped many projects come to fruition,” her nominator said.
“She is generous, honest and approachable, and it is long overdue that she was recognised for her unfailing contribution to so many community-based programs conducted in Lismore and district.”
Mayor Isaac Smith said the Australia Day Awards judging committee was impressed by the Citizen of the Year nominations in 2019, with many dedicated community volunteers and groups in the running for this year’s top award. However, he said the sheer breadth of Aliison’s volunteer work made her the clear choice.
“Aliison is well-known to many people in our community and I am very pleased to name her the 2019 Lismore Citizen of the Year,” Isaac said.
“She has given her time and energy to many local causes and willingly shares her professional skills with community groups and volunteers to build capacity within those organisations.
“Anyone who knows Aliison knows that she always contributes with a smile, and genuinely loves working with others in the community. She is driven by a love of people and a totally unselfish desire to make her community a wonderful place to live, connect and celebrate. She is a truly deserving winner of this award.”
This story originally appeared on the Lismore City Council website on Saturday, 26 January 2109. You can read the full story including all 2019 Australia Day Award winners on the LCC website here.
Main image: 2019 Australia Day Citizen of the Year Aliison Kelly.