CERTIFICATES OF Appreciation for those nominated by members of the community during the 2017 Tweed flood have been flying out the door at the Tweed Valley Weekly office (1/12 Queen Street).
There’s still plenty more to collect for residents with community-minded local Tan Summerell urging residents to check the list via social media and pick up their certificate.
The certificate of appreciation was designed by Tan to acknowledge the hard work and resources provided during the Tweed flood, more than 12 months ago.
Donna Needham, who played a key role in coordinating the Hutchinson’s building recovery centre during the post flood support, is helping Tan to deliver the certificates.
“We’re trying to get as many out as we can to acknowledge those people,” she said.
Tan said more than 400 individuals and businesses have been nominated for the certificates which have been well received by the community.
“To date we have a list of more than 425 names,” she said.
“Over 100 have been hand-delivered to businesses and individuals and many have been collected from the Weekly office.
“The looks on peoples faces has been priceless, some have even cried.
“It gave some a sense of pride and others a feeling of humble accomplishment.
“One young man said he had never received anything in his life and wanted to hang it on his wall to show his kids he felt so proud.
“A small gesture to give someone who worked tirelessly with two others risking their lives to literally save the lives of over a dozen people.”
Tan said the general expressions of gratitude between members of the community is overwhelming.
“As we all know people did not help to receive recognition but what a wonderful opportunity it has been to thank some of those who did,” she said.
“Thousands of people have helped during this time and it is impossible to know who and just how many.
“We relied purely on the community to provide the names and to thank some feels better than thanking no one because we didn’t have everyone’s name.
“A big thank you to the Tweed Weekly for being so generous and making this possible. They paid for many of the costs for printing and laminating and made their premises available to the public.”
The list of names was printed in the Tweed Valley Weekly March 22 (page 15) and March 29 (page 54) and is present on the Murwilumbah Matters page and Murwillumbah Buy Swap and Sell social pages.
The Weekly office is located at 1/12 Queen Street, Murwillumbah, and residents are invited to pick up their certificate for friends and neighbours.
For any further information regarding the list please phone (02) 6672 4443.
