Port Stephens Community Awards

14-September-2011

Mr CRAIG BAUMANN (Port Stephens—Parliamentary Secretary) [7.25 p.m.]: On Friday night I was present when more than 100 guests attended council chambers to celebrate the achievements of 15 residents and groups who were nominated for the Port Stephens Community Awards. Mrs Anna Cordwell of the Mambo Wanda Wetland Reserve and Landcare 355b Committee has been a member of the Port Stephens Corlette Precinct for many years and has real passion and dedication for the preservation of the Mambo and Wanda wetlands. Wendy and Jim McCormack were both actively involved in Port Stephens FM community radio from 2004 until very recently. Wendy used her extensive journalism experience to present on air, train new presenters and offer public relations support. Wendy's husband, Jim, has also been a presenter, technical officer and committee member.

Mr Kurt Lloyd has been an active member of the Raymond Terrace community for more than 60 years and his support for sport, particularly amongst Port Stephens youth, has been exemplary. He supported youth activities as Sea Scout Leader from 1950 to 1965 and has been an active member of the Raymond Terrace Swim Club since 1967, including a 15-year stint as president. Mr Tino Rossi, who is a martial arts teacher and former local police officer, has been mentoring in martial arts in the community for more than 20 years at both senior and junior level. He has tirelessly committed his time to teaching young people the value of focus, patience and discipline.

Mr and Mrs Col and Clyne Bridgeman are valuable members of the Mambo Wanda Wetland Reserve and Landcare 355b Committee and their innovative and productive ideas have been a real feature of their contribution to the important work carried out by this committee. The Salamander Ecology Group recently disbanded after an amazing 10 years during which they instilled great pride in their community, collecting garbage, planting trees and plants, and spreading mulch. Ms Carol Ridgeway-Bissett is a Maaiangal Aboriginal traditional owner and founding member of the Mambo Wanda Wetland Reserve and Landcare 355b Committee and is actively or has been involved in Aboriginal studies at the University of Newcastle, the Worimi Aboriginal Corporation, Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority and the National Parks and Wildlife service advisory committee.

The Raymond Terrace Senior Citizens Association is celebrating an amazing 50 years in the Terrace this year. It started off in an old tin shed in 1961 and now operates out of a large new building on Irrawang Street. Incredibly, it has seen a 300 per cent increase in membership due to the fantastic activities and services on offer. Mrs Elaine Richards has been a committed, long-term resident of Port Stephens for more than 30 years and she has been an active member of many key organisations, such as Tilligerry View Club, Habitat, the Salt Ash Safety House and the library on the Tilligerry Peninsula.

Mr Keith Brabham is the convenor of the Port Stephens Graffiti Action Team. He was a leader in the formation of the team in 2009 and has worked tirelessly almost every day since to remove graffiti in various locations around Port Stephens. Keith is a mighty 87 years old and recently suffered a stroke; however, he still works actively and passionately towards graffiti removal across Port Stephens. The commitment of the Boat Harbour recreation club extends far beyond sport and recreation in Port Stephens. It includes community development, education and youth development. They have worked very closely with Anna Bay Public School to introduce a tennis program for students who were missing out on quality physical programs.

The Port Stephens Award is given to individuals or groups for services in a specific locality or field of activity within Port Stephens community and in 2011 it was awarded to Claire Bell, whose contribution to the Port Stephens community has been profound. Claire began the very first Port Stephens support group for grandparent carers who, usually due to tragedy, were now the sole care givers to their grandchildren. The Rivergum Grandparents Group is now one of the most successful support groups in the State. The Port Stephens Medal is awarded to individuals or groups for distinguished service to the Port Stephens community and was awarded to Mr Darrell Dawson, who has spent 20 years working towards the protection of aquatic life in Port Stephens. He is an active and very valuable member of a wide range of environmental organisations such as the Tomaree National Park Committee, the National Parks Association, the Port Stephens Marine Park committee and many more. He founded EcoNetwork in the early 1990s and has been its driving force ever since.

The honour of Freeman of Port Stephens recognises individuals who have distinguished themselves with the highest order of community service, and this year it was awarded to Jill de La Lande. Jill worked extensively in aged care for more than 20 years and has been the facility manager for the aged care facility Regis the Gardens since 2004. In that role she works extensively with those suffering from terminal illness and diseases such as dementia. It is Jill's commitment, compassion and dedication, however, that set her apart. Making life meaningful and dignified for patients and families has made a huge difference to so many people in Port Stephens. This are a fantastic group of people, all of whom deserve the congratulations and thanks of this House and the people of New South Wales. I take this opportunity to congratulate newly re-elected mayor Bob Westbury and newly elected deputy mayor Ken Jordan, who were elected to those positions at a meeting of council in Port Stephens last night.