This year’s recipients of the 2024 Community 2121 Awards for Epping were announced in October at an Awards dinner held in conjunction with Epping Rotary. Seven very worthy local residents were acknowledged for their volunteer work in organisations, and a young student was nominated for the Youth award.

The Community 2121 Awards (named after Epping’s 2121 postcode!), celebrates outstanding volunteers in our district who contribute so much but are often unsung heroes. They help local residents, contribute to vibrant local activities and are the backbone of local community and charitable organisations.

This year’s awards was also remarkable for thanking volunteers from 15 to 82 years old. In total, there would have been hundreds of years of volunteer experience at the event!

Youth Award Winner

Year 10 student, Aarya Tandon was nominated by Cheltenham Girls High School P&C for her outstanding work in volunteering at the newly formed school’s Breakfast Club. 2-3 days each week, she helps out – arriving bright and early to set up the breakfast service, helping to serve and clear up. The Club is about more than breakfast – it brings students together across the years and helps form new friendships. Aarya embodies everything it is trying to achieve as she always displays a positive friendly attitude that is a great example to fellow students. The P&C appreciates her dedication and efforts in making this new program a success.

Adult Award Winners

Seven locals were nominated in the adult category and represent a very wide diversity of local groups:

Brian Bailey

Brian is a well-known figure in North Epping with many years of volunteering in the area. He has been involved with Rotary, Scouts and the Community Fire Unit. But in recent years his time has been devoted to building and establishing a Men’s Shed in North Epping. This project has taken over 5 years but now the Shed is about to throw open its doors. Housed in a new, purpose-designed building at the end of Boundary Road, the Shed will form a community hub for the whole Epping area. Brian is acknowledged for his tireless efforts in bringing it to fruition

Sean Salampessy

It is wonderful to acknowledge the efforts of younger members of our community. Sean is active at Epping Baptist church where he is passionate about the Boy’s Brigade unit run under the auspices of the church. Dedicated to helping boys and young men form deeper social connections, positive peer groups and become involved in community service, Sean also is involved at the state level with Boy’s Brigade.

Bryan Cox

Macquarie Singers is a community choir that brings music and joy through active participation and wonderful concerts in our community. Bryan has been involved in the choir for many years – as a singer, committee member and president. He has given years of dedicated work to developing the choir, helping with concerts in the community, and ensuring it is well established into the future.

Tina Clifton

After a life in the health service, on retirement Tina looked for a new avenue of service. She joined the Riding for the Disabled centre in Marsfield, and is now a driving force for this inspirational organisation. Dedicated to making a difference in the lives of disabled children and adults, the Centre has grown to meet an immense need. Run by volunteers, Tina is secretary but does much more than that role – she is involved in all aspects of the organisation.

Ron Marton

Most organisations have a number of driving forces behind them, and that is very much the case with the Riding for the Disabled. Along with Tina, Ron is involved in all aspects of RDA as its President. He gives countless hours to behind the scenes work to ensure the health and welfare of the horses, the schedule of classes, the work of the hundreds of ride volunteers, and the maintenance of the site. And he is there, always looking out for things that need to be done – the backbone of a charity that gives so much joy to their participants.

Tymon Domanko

Like many, Tymon joined Scouts in Epping as a youngster – and never really left! He grew up through the different levels but then stayed to give back as a Scout leader, and until recently a State Commissioner for Rovers. He is involved in all areas of Scouts – training, badgework, camping trips and more. He was involved in the fit out of the new boatshed at Meadowbank and is a positive role model for the next generation of young people enjoying Scouting.

Peter Wagner

North Epping is a bushland suburb and its fringes have been touched by bush fires over the years. Major fires in 1994 spurred Peter to form a Firefighting Advisory Group in the suburb. This has since moved to become the North Epping Community Fire Unit. With six fire trailers now positioned around the suburb, Peter is the leader of Trailer 391 on Bedford Road. He helps train new volunteers, maintain equipment and, of course, keeps an eagle eye out on fire warning days.