INAUGURAL AWARDS: Member for Eden-Monaro Dr Mike Kelly (centre) with Danielle and Nick Brice, whose sons Nicholas and Christopher lost their lives in tragic accidents. Two inaugural awards, named after the brothers, will be presented at their former schools later this year.
TWO new awards dedicated to Tuross Head brothers Nicholas and Christopher Brice, who lost their lives in tragic accidents, will be presented at Bodalla Public School and Moruya High School later this year.
The Brice Family Memorial Award for Citizenship and Brice Family Community Service Award will acknowledge students who show outstanding commitment to their community, following the example of Nicholas and Christopher.
Nicholas died in an abseiling accident in August 2011 at the age of 22, while younger brother Christopher lost his life in a car accident two years earlier.
Member for Eden-Monaro Dr Mike Kelly, who has sponsored the awards, said the boys’ contributions to society would serve to inspire other young people.
“There is no taking away from the fact that the loss of these two young men, these two brothers, is a tragedy from which their parents and our community will never fully recover,” Dr Kelly said.
“However, when you look at what the boys achieved and their spirit of giving, they contributed more in their short lives than many people do in a hundred years.
“It is special to see people that young reaching out to help their community - their character was a tribute to themselves, their teachers and to their mum and dad, Nick and Danielle.”
Nicholas Brice was a surf lifesaver, SES volunteer, member for three Rural Fire Service Brigades, Army reservist and recipient of two Australia Day Awards.
He also worked full-time for Energy Australia as a heavy motor vehicle mechanic.
As a combat engineer with the Army Reserves, Nicholas won the “Sapper’s Sapper” award - he was remembered by his peers as someone who seemed to love every minute of life.
Two weeks ago, Nicholas was posthumously awarded the 2012 NSW Government Community Service Award.
Nicholas and Christopher were both heavily involved in local football.
Dr Kelly announced that a minute’s silence will be held at the pre-season NRL clash between the Canberra Raiders and Melbourne Storm at Bega Recreation Ground in February.
