Who is Ballina’s best barista, bingo caller, pharmacy worker or restaurant manager?

Some of the people who know reckon they have found them.

Seven everyday workers who quietly go above and beyond were celebrated this week at the Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond’s annual Vocational Service Awards.

They included a barista with an extraordinary memory for his customers’ orders, an NDIS worker who helped fulfil a client’s deeply personal wish, and a teacher helping create Ballina’s next generation of community volunteers.

What makes the awards unusual is who does the nominating.

Rotary members, many of whom have spent decades volunteering and raising money for their community, nominate people they encounter in everyday life who demonstrate the same values of service through their work.

The club says recipients are chosen for the skill, commitment and professionalism they bring to their jobs, particularly when they go “above and beyond what is expected in their vocation”.

This year they found seven.

Ballina RSL Executive Manager Marketing and Community Engagement Claire Tyson was recognised for her professionalism and contribution to the relationship between the RSL and Rotary, including support for Rotary’s campaign against domestic and family violence.

Ms Tyson has been with the RSL for almost nine years, beginning in functions before moving into marketing and community engagement.

Her manager, James Rogers, told the gathering Ballina RSL had returned a record $533,000 to the community over the past year, with Ms Tyson playing an important role in its community engagement.

Natalie Klerck, an NDIS support worker with Support Temps, was recognised for exceptional empathy and resilience while working with people with complex needs.

Those attending heard how Ms Klerck helped a client achieve a long-held wish to travel to Western Australia to spend her birthday with a daughter she had not seen for more than five years.

The trip required considerable planning, including approvals, medical checks and medication arrangements. When the return flight was cancelled and luggage went missing, Ms Klerck calmly worked through the problems and got her client home.

When the woman later died unexpectedly, Ms Klerck continued helping her family voluntarily, including supporting her daughter through the grieving process.

“In a sector where those who care for others are not always sufficiently recognised, Natalie stands out for her exceptional service, resilience and commitment,” her manager Tarryn Corlet said.

Col recognises two familiar faces

Among those doing the nominating was Rotary stalwart Col Lee OAM, who recognised two people he had encountered in his everyday life.

Mr Lee nominated Amelia Turner, a Student Pharmacy Dispensary Technician at Direct Chemist Outlet Ballina.

The nomination had particular meaning given Mr Lee’s serious health battles in recent years, including dialysis before receiving a kidney donated by his wife Julie earlier this year.

Along that journey, Amelia was one of the everyday health workers who impressed him with her knowledge, reliability and the way she treated customers.

Mr Lee also nominated Michelle Leadbeatter, Restaurant Floor Manager at Saltbush Bar & Grill, after being impressed by the warmth and professionalism she brought to looking after customers.

The two nominations captured the spirit of the awards: community volunteers recognising everyday people they encounter who display the same ethos of service, often without even realising it.

And Ballina’s best barista?

The Kitchen Café’s Larry Lai might have a claim.

After eight or nine years at the café, Mr Lai was praised not only for making a good coffee, but for his remarkable ability to remember customers and exactly how they like their drinks.

His nominator went even further, describing him as “probably the best barista in Ballina”.

Col Lee and his nominated winner Amelia Turner, Rotary Club President Phil Maguire and Direct Chemist Outlet manager Bridgette Whyte.

Main Photo (L to R) Rotary Vocational Services Director Trina Farren-Price, Claire Tyson, Deputy Mayor Damien Loone, Natalie Klerck, Amelia Turner, Phil Maguire, Anna McNeil, Michelle Leadbetter, Larry Lai and Rotary District Governor Deb Frugtniet 

James Hancock from Cherry Street Sports was recognised for the energy and friendliness he brings to his role as a bingo caller.

Mr Hancock runs four bingo sessions each week, including one supporting Rotary, and was praised for his ability to connect with people from all walks of life and make everyone feel included.

Ballina Coast High School Learning and Support Teacher Anna McNeil was recognised for her work leading the school’s Interact Club and encouraging young people into volunteering and community service.

“Anna is not simply helping to run a school club; she is helping to develop the next generation of young volunteers and community leaders,” Deputy Principal Aaron McDonald said at the Thursday night event.

Cherry Street Sports star bingo caller James Hancock

Ms McNeil said she was not originally from the area and had herself been warmly welcomed into the Ballina community.

She told the gathering one of the most valuable things anyone could give another person was their time.

Ballina Deputy Mayor Damien Loone said the diversity of occupations represented showed the many different ways people contributed to the community.

“You’re not doing it for an award; you’re just doing it because of the person that you are,” he told recipients.

“Be proud, be gracious, and we thank you for your service to our community.”

The Ballina-on-Richmond club has been presenting its local vocational awards since 1992.