He is a foundation member of the Bellingen Youth Orchestra and has seven years continuous membership of the Bellingen Shire Big Band (clarinet and trombone).

In Year 11 at Bellingen High last year, he was placed first in all subjects (advanced English, maths, extension maths, music, physics and modern history) and completed an accelerated HSC french through distance education.

He has worked as a guide at Camp Creative for the last four years. Camp Creative President, Peter Nance said that in the eight years he had known Robert “I have had the opportunity of observing his transition from boy to young man”.

“During these eight years, the achievements that Robert has made are nothing short of remarkable, covering not just academic but also civic and social areas of activity,” Mr Nance said. “Young people such as Robert make us proud to be Australian and give us hope for the future.”

Dorrigo Relay for Life: The Event of the Year raised over $30,000 for cancer research. Planning began in May last year and culminated in 280 representatives in 20 teams walking on a sloppy, miserable field in heavy rain in early November. Maria Bunic’s team alone raised over $10,000.

Ted Greenwood of the Cancer Council said: “This was one of the most memorable relays I have been part of and I would like to thank you all for putting in such a huge effort under the most difficult circumstances. They obviously breed ’em tough in Dorrigo!”

The Bellingen High School Student Representative Council: The students unselfishly gave up their lunch times, recesses and morning for numerous charities.

In 2008, they raised $303 on Daffodil Day; $546 for Canteen; $175 for ICEE Sunnies Sight Day; $468 for Plan; and purchased a microwave oven for the school canteen.

In 2009, the students raised $3049 for the victims of the devastating Victorian fires.

Dorrigo Fire Brigade: As well as protecting the Dorrigo community, the 14 members of the brigade compete very successfully at State, national and international championships.

Last year in Tamworth, the team finished third in the State competing against 60 much larger towns. They went on to represent NSW and Australia in New Zealand where they finished with a silver medal and overall 11th pacing out of 30 teams.

They were the number 2 ranked team in NSW and number 3 in Australia.

BHS Under 16 Futsal team: Won the Mid North Coast Zone title; and were runners-up in the North Coast Regional Carnival; and overall runners-up at the National Carnival, losing the final 4-2 to St Andrews from the Gold Coast.

Corey Wedlock: Corey is an outstanding junior lawn bowler. He was the first junior to win the Urunga Bowling Club’s minor singles title and is the District under 18 singles and pairs champion, a remarkable effort for a 13-year-old.