Bellingen Shire Citizen of the Year Michelle Stockton

With husband Bob she’s just finished coordinating the week-long bonanza of learning and fun that is Camp Creative, and so that gets a mention.

“Camp Creative is awesome,” she says. “Why wouldn’t you love that, hosting 950 happy people for a week? We work all year for it, and that week is our reward.”

But the two at the top of her list, when she is forced to choose, are Stitched Up and the Men’s Shed.

Michelle started ‘Stitched Up’ ten years ago to teach teenagers to sew and still coordinates the group, which brings older women and girls together in a way that not only passes on valuable skills but also creates camaraderie across the generations.

Related: A Stitch in Time: the ten-year anniversary celebration

“I love that. It’s a beautiful family, a wonderful team. But I also love the Men’s Shed because it’s really important that we have men’s sheds,” she says.

Michelle’s hard work, dedication and drive were instrumental in getting the Bellingen Men’s Shed off the ground.

At the opening in 2016, she said, “It is important that men have the opportunity to have a place to meet, to feel useful, to have a purpose and to tell their stories.”

Michelle moved to Bellingen from Sydney 38 years ago, in 1981, and got her first taste of being part of a community when she helped Stephen Abell start community radio station 2BBB.

“It was only when I moved to Bello that I felt like I belonged,” she says. 

Her wide ranging contributions since then have also included 20 years of being a calm, reassuring presence in the office of Bellingen Public School, helping to reinvigorate the Boggy Creek Bush Fire Brigade and establishing the Bellingen Netball Club. 

But she was quick to disclaim the credit for these endeavours, emphasising that they were all a group effort.

“I feel really guilty for accepting this award as I don't do any of these things alone! The big Stitched Up 10 year anniversary event would not have happened without Kristen Collier who was the MC and fashion parade organiser and coach. Bellingen Uniting Church has auspiced and supported Stitched Up for over 10 years and the Uniting Church ladies arranged the vintage wedding dresses. Each week there are six or more ladies who encourage and help the girls to make whatever they want to. So you see, it is not just me. This award should be going to all of them.

“Rob and I have been Camp Creative coordinators since March 2013.  We are a team, plus we have the committee, all volunteers, to help us with lots of the organisation. Rob makes sure I eat dinner by cooking on those nights I'm rushing from one meeting to another or too busy working on the computer to stop and cook.

“I worked hard to make the Bellingen Men's Shed become a reality but it wouldn't have happened without Diana Christian and Bellingen Rotary, plus a grant from Bellingen Council and Camp Creative. Leon Sinclair and many people in our community helped to build the shed. And it wouldn't continue to run without Paul Holding (president) Martin Hicks (secretary) and our supervisors, Jim Thompson, Leon Sinclair and Janine Harkness.

“So, you see, I really don't think this award should be about me. It should be for all the people I've mentioned plus many more.”

 Michelle firmly believes that we are each here on our planet to make a difference in any way we can.

“Working for our community organisations is just what you do to be part of the community,” she says.