Tribute to tireless worker

THE LATE Val Cummings" goal was to bring people together.

On Saturday, she succeeded admirably.

More than 50 people gathered on Saturday to see Kiama Council dedicate the Park of Tranquillity that meant so much to Val.

Val died in October 2006, leaving a legacy of compassion and unity for the Jamberoo community and beyond.

Among her achievements were the establishment of the Jamberoo Park of Tranquillity, the Jamberoo Peace Tree after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and extensive work with Opera in the Valley and with the Jamberoo Uniting Church and Jamberoo Residents and Ratepayers Association.

Among the gathering were Val"s husband Ron Cummings, daughters Debbie Salisbury and Vikki Gorman, and Luke Roberts, son of Val and Ron"s late daughter, Donna Roberts.

Val and Ron"s daughter Karen Cummings was unable to attend the park dedication.

Ron and Val lived in Jamberoo for 11 years. Ron said the community meant a lot to his late wife.

"You could see from the crowd there that Val had done a lot for the community," he said. "Val loved to be involved in things; she loved bringing people together."

Ron and Val moved from the Jamberoo community they held so dear 18 months ago to be closer to their surviving daughters after their daughter Donna Roberts died at the age of 43.

Although Val visited many times between then and her death, Saturday was the first time Ron had returned to the park that is Val"s legacy.

More than 50 pillars of the Jamberoo community, including businesswoman Colleen Camarda, ex-councillor Vic East and Councillor Trevor Fredericks attended the dedication.

Mrs Camarda, a close friend, said Val was sadly missed.

"Val was always there to help and always there for the betterment of Jamberoo," Mrs Camarda said. "Val was always interested in the welfare of the community."

Cr Trevor Fredericks said Val"s community work was "really inspiring".

"Val had a lot of passion for what she did. She always saw things through to the end," he said.