From the high of being named Ballina Shire Citizen of the Year came a year Geoff Hutchinson could never have imagined.

There was the terrible low of May 4, when the Marine Rescue vessel he was captaining overturned on the Ballina Bar and two of his colleagues, Bill Ewen and Frank Petsch, lost their lives.

There were serious injuries, 10 weeks in a wheelchair and a long rehabilitation that continues today.

But through it all, Mr Hutchinson has kept volunteering.

And as nominations open for the 2027 Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards, he says the extraordinary support he received during his darkest months has reinforced just how important it is for a community to recognise the people who give their time to others.

Mr Hutchinson was named 2026 Citizen of the Year for his long-standing commitment to Marine Rescue Ballina, including his role in raising funds for the $1.4 million BA30 rescue vessel.

“It was a big shock that it actually happened, but yes, a great honour,” he said.

“I put my time into volunteering because I like the causes that I volunteer with.”

Just over three months later, Mr Hutchinson was master of BA30 when six Marine Rescue volunteers headed out on May 4 to respond to a yacht in trouble near the South Ballina break wall.

The rescue vessel capsized crossing the Ballina Bar in treacherous conditions.

Mr Hutchinson became trapped inside the overturned hull with Mr Ewen and Mr Petsch. He was the only one of the three to survive.

Mayor Sharon Cadwallader visits Geoff in hospital following the May 4 accident – just four months after presenting him with the Shire’s Citizen of the Year Awards on Australia Day (main photo).

The two volunteers died along with yachtsman Matthew Clayton, while Mr Hutchinson suffered serious injuries including four broken ribs and a fractured tibia.

It was a devastating turn in a year that had begun with one of his proudest moments.

But it also brought an extraordinary response from the Ballina community.

While Mr Hutchinson was recovering in Lismore Base Hospital in the days after the accident, he described that support as “sensational”.

Four months later, it is something he has not forgotten.

For Mr Hutchinson, that recognition and support goes to the heart of why community awards matter.

“Acknowledgement is always a beautiful thing, to be acknowledged for what you do,” he said.

Finding another way to contribute

Mr Hutchinson’s injuries have so far prevented him returning to operational duties on the water, but they haven’t stopped him contributing to Marine Rescue Ballina.

And being unable to crew its rescue boats unexpectedly gave him more time to help another community organisation.

Mr Hutchinson had begun volunteering with Paradise FM earlier in the year and, as he recovered from the accident, increasingly threw himself into helping the community radio station.

When equipment in one of its studios failed, he became heavily involved in rebuilding infrastructure and helping the station through a period of significant change.

Asked how often he had been at the station, his answer was simple.

“Every day.”

It means that in the same year he was recognised for one enormous contribution to the Ballina community, Mr Hutchinson has found another way to serve it.

Released from hospital, Geoff returned to Marine Rescue on May 17 in his wheelchair to pay tribute to his lost colleagues. He’s pictured with Unit Commander Peter Hill and wife Debbie.

His physical recovery, however, is still a work in progress.

After spending 10 weeks in a wheelchair, he is now walking unassisted and undertaking physiotherapy, gym sessions and pool work to rebuild the strength lost during his recovery.

His ambition is to eventually return to the job on the water he loves.

Mr Hutchinson said he would need medical clearance before captaining a Marine Rescue vessel again, but he won’t return until he knows his body is ready.

“I’m not going to do it until I feel that I’m physically capable,” he said.

“It’s been a long haul.”

‘Nominate them’

Mr Hutchinson believes there are many others across Ballina Shire quietly making their own contribution without expecting recognition.

“There’s a lot of people out there doing some amazing things with communities,” he said.

“If you know somebody, most definitely nominate them.”

He said that recognition was becoming even more important as organisations such as Marine Rescue and Paradise FM struggled to attract and retain volunteers.

Economic pressures were making it particularly difficult for younger people, who were trying to earn a living and buy a home while finding time to give back to their community.

Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader said the Australia Day Awards were an opportunity to recognise those contributions.

Geoff at the helm of the lost vessel BA30 on the day it arrived in Ballina. He hopes to be back doing the volunteering job he loves again soon.

“A nomination is a simple but meaningful way to say, ‘we see what you do, and it matters’,” Cr Cadwallader said.

“If someone has come to mind, don’t assume someone else will nominate them. Put their name forward and give them their moment.”

Nominations are open for Young Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Volunteer Award, Sports Award, Arts and Culture Award, Environmental Award and Community Event of the Year.

Nominations close on Monday, October 19, with recipients to be announced at the Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards ceremony at Lennox Head Cultural Centre on January 26, 2027.

People can nominate online through Ballina Shire Council’s website at:  ballina.nsw.gov.au/2027Awards