Waverley community members shine at our 2023 Local Hero and Best of the Best Awards

Winners' profiles:

Sebastian Cassie, Strengthening Community winner: Sebastain has been the driving force behindBondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club’s community Christmas Day lunch for the last three years, providing a safe space for local homeless and vulnerable communities at this time of year. He has been a member of the club since 2009 and has committed to leading two other annual community lunch events, one focused on providing a safe and welcoming space for the under privileged LGBTQ+ community, and a mid-year community lunch event.

William [Bill] Harrigan, Community Volunteer winner: Bill is the Secretary of the Bondi Junction/Waverley RSL Sub-Branch and Vice President of the Waverley Historical Society. He Serves as an Assistant Pensions Officer and emcees the Waverley Anzac Day service hosted by Waverley Council and the Sub-Branch.

Research Team at Waverley Historical Society:  In the last five or six years, the researchers at Waverley Historical society continued their work mainly online or with organisations, navigating the various restrictions from time to time. The Team has displayed many attributes over these years, especially the ability to work together in pairs or small groups on particular projects.  Six years ago, War Memorial Hospital asked the Historical Society to archive their medical records from 1919 to 1982.

Elisabeth Key, Community Life winner: Elisabeth has been Club Secretary of Waverley Rugby Club for the last five years and throughout her tenure the club has grown to become the champions of the NSW Suburban Rugby Union Division 1 competition. She is involved with the Bondi Icebergs club and is well noted and appreciated in the local sports space.

Langlee Lane Community Gardening Group, Second Nature champion: A successful shared community garden has been operating at Langlee Lane Bronte, with Council’s support, since 2011 growing vegetables and fruit, composting, worm farming and native beekeeping at the east section towards Dickson St. Its gardening volunteers are creating much needed habitat for native wildlife including small birds such as the Superb Fairy Wren and New Holland Honey Eater which are species the Council is working to protect.

Dallas Pumpa-Jones, Young Local Hero: Bondi Public School student Dallas was a semi-finalist in the 2021 Westpac Youth Impact Awards for creating the Sea Snap Save app to help save the grey nurse shark from extinction. The app has now been incorporated into the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Fishsmart App using Dallas’ ideas to record and log grey nurse sightings including  GPS location and photos, all at the touch of a button.

Waverley-Woollahra SES (Outstanding Community Contribution): In the last 12 months alone, the Unit has responded to more than 400 requests for assistance in the Waverley and Woollahra local government areas and many of its members have volunteered in flood affected communities in Broken Hill, Lismore, Parkes and Walgett.

Peter Quartly, Best of the Best winner: Peter is a highly dedicated community member, volunteering with several organisations, and is a previous Local Hero winner. He is a North Bondi Precinct convener, celebrates 60 seasons with Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club and is a member of the Bondi Amateur Swimming Club, having Joined in early 60s.

Brenda Miley, Best of the Best: Brenda established surf schools Lets Go Surfing and Bondi Girls Surfriders Club to inspire and encourage women to engage in the sport and is also known for her contribution to causes and charities including SurfAID and Weave. She grew up in the ocean of the eastern beaches and made her mark as a champion surfer in the 1980s alongside World Surfing Champion Pauline Menzcer and the Webber family. She is a community focused philanthropist and multi award-winning leader in the surf school and tourism industries. In 2023, Brenda received the inaugural Waverley Council International Women’s Day Award.