NRFR stalwart and life member Rik Dillon has been named Ballina Shire Council Senior Citizen of the Year.
Rik was honoured at the recent Australia Day ceremonies for his services to refugee settlement and to the sport of pickleball.
“I felt very honoured to be nominated, but never expected to win – so many good people doing lots of good things,” the irrepressible Rik said.
“I was hoping for ‘Junior Citizen’ but apparently I was eliminated on a technicality.
“I’ve never felt I’ve done anything special – I just do what I think needs to be done. It’s unfortunate that so much needs to be done. It’s a utopian view that there will be a day when volunteers are unnecessary. That will be a joyous as well as a sad day. Joyous for the obvious reason, but sad as it is such a great community of like-minded and caring people that unite for the good of the community, the country and the world.”
Rik works for many not-for-profit, sporting and charitable organisations.
A founding member of Ballina Region for Refugees, Rik was recently voted the first ever Life Member for what is now Northern Rivers for Refugees, in recognition of his dedication and monumental efforts as a committee member and treasurer.
He has given his time at many fundraising events for NRFR and put in endless hours developing the website and communication systems for members.
Rik is a founding member and inaugural president of the Northern Rivers Pickleball Club. He has guided the pickleball club through its growth and development from a little-known sport in the region to now boasting 300 members – the largest regional pickleball club in NSW.
In 2024, Rik was appointed as Northern NSW Ambassador for the Pickleball Association of NSW, advising players across the region on club development, facilities, and equipment.
Pictured: Rik and Lisa Dillon
