Nomination for East Gippsland Shire Australia Day Awards

I was so chuffed to be nominated for this award and I have been asked to log it in my blog. (good eulogy I suppose)
Members of my community got together to nominate me because of my volunteer work.
It goes like this:

I would like to nominate Sue Braggs as a receipient for the Australia Day Award.

Since moving to our community over 19 years ago Sue has immersed herself in the true Aussie spirit of helping your fellow mates.
She has an infectious laugh and a bubbly personality which draws people to her and because of this nature she has made an abundance of friends.
Sue is a true blue Aussie who is always giving of herself to help others in need regardless of their background and she does this on a daily basis without looking for accolades.
We would be hard pressed to find anyone who did not look up to her.  With a heart of gold she has touched nearly everyone in our district in one way or another and now rightly deserves to have the recognition and praise she richly deserves.
We believe it is time for our area, particularly Benambra to say Thank You Sue for all her tireless work and efforts that she has given to our Community.
Listed below is a brief summary of the work and achievements that Sue has attained and been involved with:
BENAMBRA CFA  (Secretary/Treasurer)
During the 2003 fires in the area and as a dedicated member of the CFA Sue played an integral part in the organising and assistance with CFA rosters and pending hours and days manning the Comms and note taking for the CFA Officers, despite her own home being threatened.  Not only was she there for the CFA but she was there for her community - an ear and a shoulder to cry on.  She continued this for weeks after the fire had passed with phone calls and home visits.  Sue was instrumental in setting up the SUNDAY SIPPERS at the local store, where people could come together over a coffee and talk about their experiences with the fires.  A good debriefing tool and Sunday Sippers continues to this day with thanks to Sue for it's inception.
EMBERS
A play put together by Campion Decent.  He interviewed many people from the 03 fires and it was put into a play.  Hothouse Theatre were going to do a show in Albury and Sue contacted them to see if we could get a showing over here.  Funding was found and the play was put on in Omeo Hall.  Through this the hall was able to be fitted with 3 phase power and all the locals were able to attend without having to travel far.
BENAMBRA NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE
Sue now volunteers at the House 2 to 3 days a week.  Making herself available to teach anything from computers to photography.  The House is linked with the East Gippsland Network of Neighbourhood Houses to which Sue was involved when she was Coordinator of the House.  She is still involved and through this she does her e-learning, gaining knowledge on a variety of topics which she then feeds back to the cmmunity via learing days at the House or via the web site that she set up -  A Facebook Groupfor the  Benambra Neighbourhood House.  She has acted as a mentor for students including recently mentoring a student for a Rotary Award.
BENAMBRA COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Each year with the Neighbourhood House Sue has helped to arrange the Community based Christmas party which is totally family focused and is growing in popularity, all thanks to Sue's efforts in obtaining Grants etc to enable the Community to come together in a fun filled day.  Sue has been a big part of this since it first began, over 10 years ago now.
HISTORY OF BENAMBRA
Having a passion for for local history, Sue and her team of volunteers at the Neighbourhood House organised and spent weeks gathering data on the Pioneer families of the district.  An entire weekend display was set up in the local Benambra Hall with photos and memorabilia of times gone by.  A mammouth task and enjoyed by many who travelled far to see it.  Sue also assisted Max Dyer in collaborating data for his books written on the local history and characters of the area.
BENAMBRA CLICK CLACK CLUB
Sue has a passion for photography and wanting to share her love of taking photos formed an informal group of photographers aptly named.  Anyone with a camera can go on a group outing (to which she has organised) around the local area taking photos and enjoying each others company.  This is well supported.
BENAMBRA ANGLING CLUB
As a dedicated member of the Angling Club for a number of years Sue has worked tirelessly to keep her club going.  You will always find her behind the counter serving the delicious food.
INFORMATION CENTRE - OMEO
Sue was integral in the starting of this under the umbrella of her much loved Neighbourhood House.  It is now well supported by the visitors to the area.
YOUTH GROUP
Through an unfortunate incident Sue saw the need for a group.   This was followed up by some parents and a group was formed.  A local family (Vince and Di Pendergast) donated the land next to the Neighbourhood House and it is now called Dejarlais Park, with many children accessing it.  A meeting was held and Sue suggested that it run under the banner of the House.  This has enabled  funding to be applied to the group without them having to form an incorporation.  This is well supported by The East Gippsland Shire who have put a lot into it.
HINNOMUNJIE RIDING CLUB
Sue was a founding member of this club, forming it and organising the incorporation.  She does not ride now but is still seen on occasions sitting in a judges box with her stop watch in the jumps section at some of their events.  It is now a very thriving club in its own rights, we must thank these poineers.
SCHOOL HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT
Along with the local store keeper, Sue has organised movie nights at the local hall to entertain children through the school holidays.  She also holds craft days for the kids at the Neighbourhood House.
TAHNEE ORCHARD PINK BOOT APPEAL
On hearing the plight of a young mother being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease she immediately headed up a Fund Raising Appeal to assist the family and still leads that cause today, with some $16,000.00 having been raised.  She also arranged for funding to have two reverse cycle heater/coolers to be put into Tahnees house.  A cattle grid sits where the front gate used to be thanks to her and her merry band of volunteers.

These are just a few of Sue's numerous projects.  Of course there are the numerous phone calls at all hours of the day and night, chatting in the street and her love of life and making people happy that makes her deserving of this award.
This was composed by Toni Higgins and I thank her for the fantastic effort at putting this all together.