Col and Julie Lee have dedicated more than half a century to their community—and each other.

Now, after decades of tireless charity work, Ballina’s ‘First Couple of Fundraising’ face their most personal challenge yet.

Col and Julie are among the rare few couples in Australia to both hold the Order of Australia Medal (OAM), awarded for exceptional contributions to community service. And as they celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, they’re preparing to slow down—after Col, 75, received a life-altering health diagnosis.

“It’s time to step back a bit,” Col said. “We’ve done what we can. Now it’s time to look after my health.”

A Love Story Born at Sea

Their journey began on the Fairstar cruise ship—“the Fun Ship”—where they met during a dance 52 years ago.

“I’d just finished midwifery training,” Julie recalls. “A few of us nurses booked a cheap cruise—we were in the bottom-deck cabins because that’s all we could afford!”

As fate would have it, the neighbouring cabin held a young Colin Lee and his mates from Ballina.

“I asked her to dance,” Col says, smiling. “She said she was from Kyogle. I said, ‘You probably haven’t heard of where I’m from—Ballina.’ She laughed.”

Julie returned home and began working at Lismore Base Hospital. Not long after, Col called—and that was the beginning.

Community in Their Blood

Col grew up on a cane farm in East Wardell, where community service was woven into family life. His mother was involved in the CWA and Red Cross, while his father—unable to enlist in WWII due to a childhood injury—dedicated himself to civic life instead.

“Dad was devastated he couldn’t serve,” Col explains. “So he raised money for the war effort—writing plays, singing, even tap dancing. It gave him purpose.”

Julie’s parents were also community-minded: her mother in the Red Cross and Catholic Women’s League, her father with St Vincent de Paul.

“Giving back was just part of how we grew up,” she says.

Building a Life—And a Business—Together

Col trained as a mechanic and opened his own workshop in West Ballina. By 1977, the business had grown, and Julie left nursing to help run what became one of the largest Daihatsu and Subaru dealerships in Australia.

“I was sick of night shifts, and Col was run off his feet,” she said. “So it made sense.”

They were just as committed to community work. Col joined Rotary in 1986 and helped establish Ballina on Richmond Rotary Club, serving as president three times and receiving six Paul Harris Fellowships—Rotary’s highest international honour.

Julie joined Inner Wheel—a service club originally created for the wives of Rotarians, and one of the largest women’s voluntary organisations in the world. At the time, Rotary International did not allow women to join directly, so Inner Wheel became a vital space for women to contribute. 

Together they worked side by side on countless projects supporting youth, health services, and local community organisations.

From 2010 to 2020, the couple ran the Ballina Food and Wine Festival, raising half a million dollars for groups like Marine Rescue, SES, Sea Bird Rescue, and Paradise FM.

National Recognition

In 2014, Col was awarded the OAM for his tireless fundraising, including supporting Heartfelt House—a Lismore-based organisation helping survivors of abuse.

Julie received her own OAM in 2023, a long-overdue tribute to her equally vital contributions.

“It’s always been a team effort,” Col says. “She’s done just as much, if not more.”

Turning the Tide

When catastrophic floods devastated the Northern Rivers in 2022, Col—lifelong “River Boy” and seasoned Rotary organiser—sprang into action.

“You don’t think—you act,” he says.

Ballina on Richmond Rotary quickly mobilised, delivering supplies and coordinating relief. Col also documented the effort in a book, Turning the Tide, a powerful record of local resilience and recovery.

“It wasn’t just about bricks and mortar,” he said. “It was about dignity and community.”

The book raised additional funds and became a tribute to the spirit of the Northern Rivers. Today, as the Mid North Coast faces its own flood recovery, Col is once again promoting Rotary fundraising efforts.

A New Battle

Just weeks after their anniversary, Col received devastating news: his kidney function had dropped to just nine percent.

“I’ve been managing kidney issues since 2015,” he explains. “But it really took a turn this past year. I was absolutely worn out.”

He has since begun peritoneal dialysis—a home-based treatment that flushes toxins from the body.

“I’ve just started, and already I feel better,” he says. “It’s a big change, but I’m ready.”

A transplant isn’t likely at his age, but Col is optimistic.

“They’ve told me I could still get 10 to 15 good years on dialysis. That’s good enough for me.”

Julie, ever the nurse, helps manage his daily care. “It’s a team effort,” she says.

Looking Ahead

Though they’re stepping back from the full-on daily volunteering, the Lees have no plans to disappear from community life.

“I’ll stay involved in Rotary,” Col says. “It’s been such a huge part of our lives.”

After five decades of service, Col says he’s content.

“I don’t think you can ever say you’ve done enough. But I’m happy with what we’ve done. If I can just quietly chug along in the background now, that’ll do me.”

Ballina—and the thousands of lives touched by the Lees’ generosity—would surely say they’ve done more than enough.