IVES volunteer is our top citizen

LOUISA RUST

An advocate for veterans, Peter Ellis of Albion Park, was named Shellharbour City’s Citizen of the Year at the Australia Day Breakfast by the Lake on Saturday.

Mr Ellis has volunteered thousands of hours at the Illawarra Veterans Entitlement Service (IVES) and was instrumental is setting up the organisation six years ago.

Mr Ellis said IVES helped war veterans and their families access their pension entitlements.

“We help our clients from the first claim right through to the highest appeal,” he said.

“We get them through the red tape and gather the evidence they need for a good case.”

Mr Ellis was a police officer for 23 years and was assisted by the Vietnam Veterans Association.

“It was then my turn to help other people,” he said.

As well as his work with IVES, Mr Ellis volunteers to organise community events with the Albion Park Chamber of Commerce and Albion Park RSL sub branch.

“The Albion Park sub branch’s main role is keeping the Anzac spirit alive in the community,” he said.

As part of this role the sub branch held two exhibitions of wartime memorabilia, attended by more than 2000 schoolchildren.

Mr Ellis said he was over the moon about the award.

“It’s really great,” he said. “I’m still giggling to myself!

“Although it’s a solo award, I work with a lot of other people to make all these things happen, so I have to give them recognition.”

Our winners:

Shellharbour City’s Young Citizen of the Year:

Rebecca Whittaker for her work mentoring young women.

Charitable Business of the Year:

Stockland Shellharbour for its work with the community.

The Service to Senior Sport Award:

Joe Murphy for his work with Shellharbour rugby league and cricket clubs.

The Service to Junior Sport Award:

Rick Watkins for his work as athletics coach and mentor with the Albion Park Little Athletics Club.