2023 Clarence Valley Citizens of Year Awards

Adam Wills has been named 2023 Clarence Valley Citizen of the Year. The Director of the Clarence Valley Conservatorium was recognised for the extensive amount of valuable work he does to promote music in the community.

Mr Wills has volunteered as musical director at both Criterion Theatre and Pelican Playhouse and his wealth of expertise has been instrumental in driving collaboration between the two theatres in recent years. He also used his innovation with technology to ensure individual and group music lessons continued at the Conservatorium during Covid.

Mr Wills was awarded the accolade at Clarence Valley Council’s 2023 Citizens of the Year Awards at Grafton District Services Club today (25 Jan).

Other nominees: Sally Rogers, Doreen Plymin, Barbara Winters (absent).

2023 Young Citizen of the Year – Nicole Cowling:

Nicole has achieved a lot in the Lower Clarence community through her involvement with the Maclean Show Society and Maclean Scottish Association. The former Maclean Junior and Senior Showgirl volunteers much of her time to help organise community events including the Maclean Highland Gathering.

Other nominee: Charlie Beadman.

2023 Local Hero – Peter Martin:

Peter has devoted countless hours to growing the sport of croquet throughout the Clarence Valley. Spotted most days maintaining the lawns of his home club at Coutts Crossing, Peter encouraged and helped the formation of new croquet clubs in Yamba and Lawrence. Since suffering a stroke, he has used his life experience to encourage other stroke victims to come along and try this user-friendly sport.

Other nominees: Sally Rogers, Bruce Baxter, Mick Rogan, Roby McCabe, Warren Dawson.

/Public Release. View in full here.