Northern Territory Achiever 2000

2007

Frank Fotiades

NT Local Hero - Frank Fotiades (Metropolitan)
Frank Fotiades channels his boundless energy and his thirst for serving his local community through the Northern Territory arm of Kiwanis, an international club dedicated to community service. Frank is one of two remaining Foundation Charter members in the Territory and has maintained a perfect attendance record and introduced more new members than anyone else. He’s the only Territorian to become District Governor of Australia for Kiwanis International. Frank has spearheaded fundraising of many thousands of dollars, mainly for children, and distributed truckloads of food for the Salvation Army at Christmas time. There have been many special projects, such as the Terrific Kids program, fighting iodine deficiency, building playgrounds and, most notably, a dairy project aimed at providing fresh, free milk daily to 5,000 kids in East Timor. Frank is one of those special people who, when they take on a job, give their life and soul to it.

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NT Local Hero - Carmel Hattch (Regional)
Carmel has devoted her life to improving the health of babies, children, women, and families in remote and urban communities in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and South Australia. Based in Alice Springs, she gives tirelessly, both personally and in her professional nursing role, and is widely respected across the Territory and interstate for her knowledge, skills, and dedication. Her coordinating non-acute paediatric care in Central Australia has been remarkable enough, but perhaps her greatest contribution has been her extraordinary ability to communicate, particularly with young Indigenous mothers, and her encyclopaedic knowledge of her vast local community. Carmel’s interest in Indigenous children doesn’t stop when she goes home. She has fostered a boy with a complex medical history who was unable to be cared for by his family in the bush and she often provides emergency foster care for kids who need a home, food, and love in times of crisis.

2006

Peter

NT Local Hero - Metropolitan - Peter Cornell
Peter "Porky" Cornell won’t sit on committees, but he doesn’t sit on his hands either. He simply gets things done. He’s a transport operator and logistics expert who calls on his vast network to deliver the goods. Without Peter’s contribution, the 1888 Railway Heritage Precinct at Adelaide River wouldn’t have made the progress it has. From railcars to cranes, Peter has organised them all, making a significant contribution to the voluntary work that got the project going. His generosity is also shown in his fundraising and other help for the Variety Club, the Mt Isa School of the Air, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Riding for the Disabled, and Goanna Park Junior Police Rangers. He coordinated the last three Mothers Day Charity Runs for families of disadvantaged children.

Beryl Mayanini

NT Local Hero - Regional - Beryl Mayanini
Until now, Beryl Mayanini has been an unsung hero, known only within her own island community for her outstanding dedication to Indigenous Health. Beryl provides 24 hour health care at the Milingimbi Clinic in East Arnhem Land. She has worked for over forty years, making a huge contribution as a dedicated health worker. She was trained in missionary times and has many stories to tell, including about when Indigenous health workers ran the clinic themselves, with only a radio connection to the mainland to back them up. And about how she used to paddle to outstations on other islands in a canoe to look after the health of nearby communities. A gracious woman, Beryl always makes sure that visitors to the clinic not only felt welcome, but learn about her culture so that their impact on the community will be a positive one

2005

NT Local Hero - Regional - Janet Fletcher


Janet Fletcher of Ngukurr was recognised as Northern Territory Local Hero - Regional 2005 for her contribution to the community through nursing. Fourteen years ago she was appointed as the Manager of the Ngukurr Health Centre in Arnhem Land, where she settled with her family. Janet’s demanding role involves working with one other nurse and six Aboriginal health workers. Together they provide exceptional health service to the community where Janet and her team are on call 24-hours a day. In addition, Janet voluntarily gives her time to help those in need, ranging from domestic violence victims, people suffering from fatal diseases, to those who just need a shoulder to cry on.

NT Local Hero - Metropolitan - Bill Medley


Bill Medley, of Brinkin, was honoured as Northern Territory Local Hero – Metropolitan for his outstanding achievements. Despite becoming a paraplegic at the age of 17, has never let his disability slow him down. He is a sportsman and an academic having competed in the Commonwealth Para Games and the Paralympics and completed his Bachelor of Arts and Masters degree. Following work with the Health Department in Western Australia, Bill has now gone on to become the Director for Relationships Australia in the Northern Territory. A modest man with an extremely strong character, Bill has achieved great things in his lifetime.

2004

NT Local Hero - Regional - Theodora Narndu


Highly respected for her determination to address and overcome family violence, Theodora Narndu offers her home as a refuge for women and children. In 1999 she was awarded the Port Keats Women's Achievement Award for the Northern Territory. Theodora represents the views of indigenous women throughout the Northern Territory. Her work over many years has focused on improving standards of Aboriginal family life, particularly in the areas of health, welfare and social harmony. Theodora is a modest person who continues to represent her clan, her tribe, and her community, in local and regional forums with wisdom and intelligence.

NT Local Hero - Regional - Barry Abbott


Barry Abbott is a tireless worker for underprivileged youth, having recently set up an outstation where wayward youth have the opportunity of doing something meaningful with their lives, giving them a sense of belonging. Among others, Barry assists people with drug and alcohol related problems. Barry has been an advocate for Aboriginal people all his life. He was the founder of the Wallace Rockhole Community some 30 years ago, which now has a population of over 160. Barry's good nature, honesty and integrity have earned him the respect and support of all who know him. He's a great local hero.

NT Local Hero - Metropolitan - Janet Beven


Janet Beven is recognised for her fostering of Aboriginal children with severe disabilities. She has fostered more than 100 children in the past 20 years. She has dedicated her life to the care of children with a disability. With her love and skill in caring for severely disabled children, she has become a strong advocate for improvement in the health care and educational opportunities for these children. In 1999 Jan was awarded Centralian of the Year and in 2001 she received the inaugural Northern Territory Carer of the Year Award. One cannot doubt the many lives that Jan has touched in her role as foster parent and carer, not only with the children who call her ‘Mum', but those in the community who have been inspired to take up the role of foster parenting.

2003

NT Local Hero - Regional - Keith Woody


Bathurst Island resident Keith Woody has managed to turn around his life by giving up drinking and smoking and as a consequence is now in line to be the first Tiwi person to manage the local swimming pool. He won the Best Adult Learner Award, nominated by the NT Royal Lifesaving Society for his effort and enthusiasm. He regularly addresses public meetings to encourage his fellow citizens to take a positive view on life, take charge of their own destiny, and to motivate children to go to school.

NT Local Hero - Metropolitan - Alex Sherrin


Passionate about maintaining the history, customs and pioneering spirit of the outback for future generations, Territorian Alex Sherrin is involved in many activities to encourage interest in the past, especially in this, the Year of the Outback. He was the organiser of the "Last Camel Train" expedition and the ten-year celebrations and re-enactment of the outback police patrols in Timber Creek. He is an active organiser of fundraising events with his efforts acknowledged heartily by historians and local National Trust societies.