7 Sept 2007 - Bea Ballangarry Wins Grace Roberts Award

The 2007 Grace Roberts Community Development Award has been presented to Bea Ballangarry for her service to the community through improving social justice, economic advancement and education for Indigenous people.

The award was announced by Coffs Harbour Mayor, Councillor Keith Rhoades, at the 2007 Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference dinner at Opal Cove Resort last night.

"Bea is a very worthy recipient of the Grace Roberts Award," said Cr Rhoades. "She has made a positive impact in the Aboriginal community over the years and her commitment and involvement in her community is well known and far reaching."

Bea Ballangarry with the 2007 Grace Roberts Award "Last year, Bea was honoured with an Order of Australia medal. She is a valuable representative or member of at least a dozen community groups and organisations."

Among the organisations Ms Ballangarry has been involved in are:

the Local Reconciliation Group,
Council's Yandaarra Aboriginal Consultative Committee,
the Coffs Harbour Aboriginal Advisory Committee for the Department of Community Services,
the Ted Noffs Foundation,
the Warrina Women and Children's Refugee Cooperative Society,
the Toormina Tenant Group,
the Public Housing Customer Council of the Department of Housing,
the North Coast Region Public Art Project Working Committee of the National Parks and Wildlife Service,
the Arts Mid North Coast Regional Arts Board,
Council's Arts & Cultural Development Advisory Committee,
the Indigenous Pathways Project at the Coffs Harbour Education Campus,
and the Coffs Harbour Education Campus Indigenous Advisory Committee.

"From the response received from the audience last night, there is no doubt that Bea is very deserving of this Award and that she is immensely valued and appreciated for her dedication to her community," Cr Rhoades said.

The Grace Roberts Community Development Award was launched in 1999 to recognise the efforts of local Indigenous people who assist the Indigenous community.

The award celebrates the memory of Grace Roberts who came to Coffs Harbour in 1963 and, as a parent, friend, grandmother, aunt, advisor, disciplinarian, visionary and campaigner, worked towards the betterment of her people. She was instrumental in establishing a number of local services and, through leadership and by example, improved the quality of life for all Indigenous people in Coffs Harbour.