This Award is for the volunteer who’s been around since… well, forever. Honouring their long-term dedication, steady presence, and the way they’ve become part of the landscape itself. Let’s honour those who have been here for decades and who have shaped this community, quietly and consistently. Who kept showing up.

Tony Gibson
Tony Gibson has been a dedicated volunteer with the Nimbin School of Arts for over 30 years, playing a quiet but essential role in the life of the Nimbin Hall. Over that time, he has contributed to its transformation from a struggling building into the vibrant cultural hub it is today. People describe Tony as a quiet achiever — someone whose impact is deeply felt, even if many don’t realise just how much he has done.
From maintenance and major improvements to taking minutes, supporting events and stepping in when needed, Tony has been involved in every facet of the Hall’s life. He is known as a steady, practical and sensible presence, always working behind the scenes to keep things going.
Tony embodies the spirit of the Dinosaur award — long-standing, dependable, and a quiet cornerstone of the community.

Charlie Cohen
Charlie Cohen has been part of the Nimbin Fire Brigade for over 50 years — even before it was formally established — dedicating his life to protecting the community. As Senior Deputy Captain for much of that time, he has trained volunteers, led operations and responded to fires at any hour, both locally and across Australia, including major events like the Black Saturday fires.
People speak of Charlie as someone who is always there — whether it’s responding to emergency calls in the middle of the night, supporting the hospital, or stepping in during critical moments like the 2019–2020 bushfires and the Rainbow and Museum fire. His contribution extends beyond firefighting, with decades of service as a first responder and involvement in local community life.
Charlie embodies the spirit of the Dinosaur award — a lifetime of service, courage and unwavering commitment to his community.

Chibo Mertineit
Chibo Mertineit has given decades of service to the Nimbin community, contributing to an extraordinary number of organisations including the Nimbin Neighbourhood and Information Centre, Community Radio, Mardigrass, the Environment Centre, Aged Care and many more. His involvement spans over 30 years in some roles, consistently showing up across different parts of community life.
People speak of Chibo as someone who is always there — whether it’s on committees, supporting events, volunteering on the ground or helping things run behind the scenes. From local media to environmental action, sport, community services and cultural events, his contribution is both wide-reaching and enduring.
Chibo embodies the spirit of the Dinosaur award — deeply embedded, generous with his time, and a true pillar of the Nimbin community.

Gail Clarke
Gail Clarke has been a constant presence in Nimbin’s community life for decades, showing up time and again to support events, initiatives and the people behind them. She has run Nimbin Poetry Night and the Nimbin Performance Poetry World Cup for over 20 years, while also contributing to countless events including MardiGrass, Blue Moon Cabarets and community celebrations at the Town Hall.
People speak of Gail as someone who is always there — hands-on, helping organise, and giving her time generously across many organisations and initiatives. Her contribution goes beyond events, with many sharing how she has supported and uplifted individuals in meaningful ways.
Gail embodies the spirit of the Dinosaur award — enduring, generous, and deeply woven into the cultural and human fabric of the community.

Judy Hale
Judy Hale has devoted decades to the Nimbin community, most notably through Comskool, where she has carried the vision of alternative education with unwavering commitment. She is often described as the quiet powerhouse behind the organisation — navigating funding, supporting young people, and keeping everything running with strength, care and consistency.
Beyond Comskool, Judy has contributed across many community spaces, including serving as Treasurer of NIM-FM and supporting the Nimbin CWA, always showing up with generosity — sometimes even with a homemade dish in hand. She also quietly cares for shared community spaces like the NCCI Acacia building, ensuring they remain welcoming for everyone.
People speak of Judy’s resilience and reliability — someone who adapts, evolves, and simply keeps going, no matter the challenge.
Judy truly embodies the spirit of the Dinosaur award — a steady, enduring presence whose long-standing contribution continues to support and strengthen the whole community.

Linnet Pike
Linnet Pike has dedicated decades of service to the Nimbin community, contributing to more organisations and committees than can easily be named. She has given many years to the Nimbin Community Centre and more recently to the Nimbin CWA, where she stepped up as the founding President.
People speak of Linnet’s steady leadership, particularly in times of crisis — guiding the community through two major natural disasters with calm, clarity and care. Her deep understanding of what matters locally, and her willingness to always contribute, have made her a trusted and respected presence.
Linnet embodies the spirit of the Dinosaur award — wise, enduring, and deeply committed to the wellbeing of her community.

Michael Balderstone
Michael Balderstone has been a driving force in the Nimbin community for decades, most notably through his leadership of the Nimbin Mardi Grass and the Hemp Embassy. Year after year, he has navigated complex regulations, public scrutiny and ongoing challenges, continuing to push for drug law reform while building an event that has become central to the identity and economy of the village.
Beyond Mardi Grass, Michael has played a key role in sustaining the Hemp Embassy as a community hub and not-for-profit that gives back locally. He also ran the Nimbin Museum for many years and continues to support community initiatives, including through his involvement with the Nimbin Community Centre.
People describe him as a figurehead of Nimbin — a connector, a negotiator, and someone who stands firm in his values while bringing people together.
Michael embodies the spirit of the Dinosaur award — a long-standing, influential presence whose persistence and commitment have helped shape the community over time.

Natalie Meyer
Natalie Meyer has been part of the fabric of Nimbin for so long that, as someone put it, she’s almost fossilised into the landscape — in the very best way.
While she is known as the manager of the Nimbin Neighbourhood and Information Centre, what stands out is the extraordinary amount of time, intellect and heart she has given well beyond any role. Under her influence, the NNIC has grown into the strong, inclusive and essential community hub it is today, including projects like 7 Sibley Street.
Behind the scenes, Natalie has initiated, supported and secured countless projects and grants — often without recognition — quietly strengthening the foundations of the community. She has also contributed for many years to the Nimbin Advisory Group and volunteered with WIRES, showing deep commitment to both people and the natural world.
People speak of her as someone constantly working for a better future — thoughtful, driven and deeply committed.
Natalie truly embodies the Dinosaur award: a long-standing, quietly powerful force whose impact is woven through the life of the village.

Sue Edmonds
Sue Edmonds has been a dedicated part of the Nimbin community for over three decades, and her contribution is nothing short of extraordinary.
She founded the Open Learning Centre, still running today, and has served on the Board of the Nimbin Community School for 30 years, as well as 25 years on the Nimbin School of Arts committee. Sue has also been a tireless advocate for community spaces — from forming the Friends of Nimbin Pool and running the much-loved Pool Olympics for 15 years, to spending seven determined years pushing for basic amenities like a drinking fountain and exercise equipment.
Through 12 years on the Nimbin Advisory Group, she continued to champion practical improvements for the whole community, always focused on what people actually need.
Now, at 82, Sue says she’s retiring… but those who know her aren’t convinced.
Because Sue is exactly what the Dinosaur award represents: enduring, determined, and a quiet force who has shaped this community over decades.

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