Always involved in the community, Dale was awarded Junior Citizen of the Year and it was a special day for the whole family when his grandmother Norma Berry received a community service award.

“I didn’t know I was getting the award. I was just lucky to come in,” Dale said.

“I want to help the community and just keep the community running, help out and be useful. It makes me feel like I’ve achieved something.”

Described at the ceremony as a “conscientious and polite 20 year-old, always happy to help in whatever way he can”, Dale Elliotts list of achievements is extensive for his age, overcoming health and development difficulties as a baby and child to become one of this community’s most valued members.

During his late primary and then high school years he participated in volunteer work which carried on as a trend into 

his adult life.

He has attended Mumbil District Progress Association meetings from the age of 16 and started helping run Ridgecrest Kidz Club after being a member as a child.

A reliable and constant helper, he took over the calling Bingo during the past six months and MC of the ceremony Mark Griggs said much of his outwardness could also be credited to the experience gained in the past two years as a presenter on Wellington’s own Binjang Community radio, he even presented from the Mumbil Blackwattle Fair Outside Broadcast last year.