Passionate community members recognised at electorate awards

“This year we received close to 40 nominations and each of them are an outstanding credit to our community,” Mr Ward said.

“Our community is renowned for its natural beauty but what I love most about our region is its people. Today we recognised and celebrate the amazing work of people who place service about self.

“Our region is truly blessed with talented and passionate local people. Volunteers don’t seek recognition but they deserve every ounce of commendation for their efforts. Today is our chance to pay tribute to so many deserving and dedicated people,” he said.

Mr Ward extended his sincere thanks to NSW SES Commissioner Mark Smethurst and Deputy NSW Police Commissioner Gary Worboys who were the special guest speakers.

“My thanks also to the Mayor of Kiama Mark Honey for his Civic Welcome, the Nowra Anglican College Orchestra led by conductor Carolyn Brown who performed the Australian National Anthem and Aunty Joyce Donovan who performed the Welcome to Country,” he said,

“Also thank you to all of the local residents from across the Kiama electorate who attended this wonderful community celebration this afternoon.”

OUTSTANDING LOCAL VOLUNTEER

The nominees included:

Jackie Hall of Jamberoo – for her instrumental role as the Vice-President of Jamberoo Public School’s P&C Association in organising a School Fete to raise important funds to go towards a new outdoor educational learning area for the students.
Gwen Ross of Bomaderry – Gwen is being recognised for her 40 years of involvement with the Nowra and Bomaderry Meals on Wheels Service as a driver and deliverer. She always has the time, the interest and the concern for those less fortunate and is the most steadfast, reliable and giving volunteer.
Dawn Graff of Nowra – Dawn is being recognised for her outstanding commitment as a classroom volunteer at Bomaderry Public School for the past 3 years. Dawn has a passion for literacy, numeracy and learning. She demonstrates incredible flexibility, embracing whatever activity these students need support with.
Tricia Ashelford of Kiama Heights – Tricia is being recognised for her stellar contribution as the Coordinator of the Kiama Farmers Markets run every Wednesday afternoon with the utmost professionalism. No task is too hard to stop this lady on a mission!
Christine Langford of Kiama – Christine is being recognised for her outstanding involvement as an Ambassador for the Australian Centre for Leadership for Women. She has volunteered her time on numerous occasions including for the 2016 Diversity Award and 2006 Sustaining Women’s Empowerment in Communities and Organisations Award.
Geoff Shoard of Minnamurra – This Award is being accepted on Geoff’s behalf by Kiama Councillor Mark Way – Geoff is being recognised for his involvement with the Lions Club of Minnamurra and the instrumental role he played on the Minnamurra Whale Watching Platform and covered seating at the south end of Jones Beach near the playground.

CONSERVATION CHAMPION AWARD

Illawarra Intrepid Landcare – in recognition of their outstanding commitment to local environmental initiatives, tireless conservation efforts and their work to combat climate change across our region. Accepting this Award today is Chairperson Tony Hepworth and Deputy Chairperson Neil McLaren. Congratulations Illawarra Intrepid Landcare.

OUTSTANDING YOUNG CITIZEN

The nominees included:

Henry Streamer of Kiama – Henry is being recognised for his outstanding contribution as the 2017 Youth Member for Kiama in the NSW YMCA Youth Parliament Program. Henry is an intelligent young leader with a huge future.
Bryce Humphries of Kiama – Bryce is being recognised for the excellent leadership and dedication he displayed during his time as Captain of Kiama High School. Bryce has also been a participant in the annual Kiama Student Leaders Forum hosted annually by Member for Kiama Gareth Ward in NSW Parliament House.

OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS

The nominees included:

My Room Kiama – This Award to be accepted by Jodie Moore and Angela Miller and their staff – My Room Kiama is being recognised for its outstanding customer service and locally sourced products. My Room Kiama have a welcoming and refreshing atmosphere constantly kept interesting by changing products at great prices.
Kiama Picture Company – This Award to be accepted by David and Julie Hall – Kiama Picture Company is being recognised for its many years of exceptional service to the people of Kiama. David is well known as a former Kiama Independent journalist. Kiama Picture Company has been an institution in town for 28 years and owned by the Hall family for over a decade.
Studio Fit 2533 – This Award to be accepted by Amanda Van Staden – Studio Fit 2533 is being recognised for their enthusiastic commitment to each person who attends the fitness sessions. Amanda is professional, knowledgeable and the studio atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable. She also extends the studio with social activities and supports local charities giving us all a chance to extend ourselves and give back to the community.
Window Warrior – This Award to be accepted by Andre Van Staden – Window Warrior is being recognised for its excellent service. Andre runs a window and gutter cleaning service that delivers for his customers across the region. He is a committed and reliable small business owner with a terrific work ethic and integrity.
Bean Roasted Kiama – This Award to be accepted by Christian Lovatt – Bean Roasted Kiama is being recognised for its outstanding, friendly customer service, quality products. A great meeting place for coffee in Kiama with family and friends.
Endota Spa Kiama – This Award to be accepted by Melinda Proudfoot, Zoran Matich, Rebecca Welsh, Rebecca Eade, Lee-Ann Danic and Kylie Edwards – Endota Spa Kiama is being recognised for its outstanding professionalism and product knowledge. They provide a comfortable and nurturing environment which transforms a weiry client into a renewed soul.
Kiama Haircutting Company – This Award to be accepted by Anke Bethke– Kiama Haircutting Company is being recognised for its outstanding commitment to customer service and having a welcoming a friendly environment with a professional team of hairdressers.

OUTSTANDING EMERGENCY SERVICE VOLUNTEER

The nominees included:

Shane Gauci of Albion Park – Shane is being recognised for his outstanding contribution to the NSW SES Shellharbour City Unit since first joining in February 2009 at the age of 18. His positive, committed attitude and conduct is admired by his fellow volunteers. In recent years, Shane has stepped up to the position of Deputy Local Controller of Field Operations.
Marianne McTiernan of Lake Illawarra South – Marianne is being recognised for her leadership in the role of Deputy Local Controller of the Shellharbour Unit including her involvement in the training and assessment of other members across the Illawarra and nearby regions when an assessor is required. She has also displayed leadership in the monitoring of other members welfare, developing this role from the ground up.
Terry Beaumont of Shell Cove – Terry is being recognised for his outstanding contribution to the Kiama SES Unit since joining in 2009. At 68, aged has proved no barrier and he has been deployed across NSW and interstate with the NSW SES to assist communities through severe weather events, including Tropical Cyclones Yasi and Marcia in Queensland. More recently, Terry managed a major operation during floods in Western NSW and responded for several days to a hailstorm in Baulkham Hills in early 2017.
John Ferguson of Bomaderry – John is being recognised for his distinguished service to the NSW Rural Fire Service since 1995. Every Thursday, he gives up his time to assist both staff and volunteers with development and use of technology as well as leading numerous district IT exercises. John also provides Incident Management Teams with fire mapping during times of fire activity. He has also been instrumental in the development and roll out of the Collector program which allows live data to be gathered from the field and sent back to the Incident Management Team during a fire event.
Arthur MacLeod of Albion Park Rail – Arthur is being recognised for his over 21 years of service working as a Volunteer In Policing since August 1996. Arthur is the Lake Illawarra Local Area Command Volunteer In Policing Coordinator. Arthur attends Lake Illawarra Police Station most days and always makes himself available to assist at any time. He is not only a credit to himself but the entire Lake Illawarra Command. We greatly appreciate his tireless voluntary work to assist Police and our local community.

JUNIOR SPORTS AWARD

The nominees included:

Jackson Tikkeros of Kiama – Jackson is 15 years old, attending Edmund Rice College and is talented in many sporting codes. He is Captain of the U15’s Illawarra Titans Rugby League Team and recently played in the Koori Knockout during the October long weekend. Jackson is also an Illawarra Steelers representative in Oztag, U15's Catholic School Boys Rugby League Team competing in Dubbo, U17’s Illawarra Storm AFL Rep Team and was selected in the Adam Goodes talented AFL program for the past two years.
Kieran Woolley of Minnamurra – Kieran is being recognised for his outstanding achievements in skateboarding. He is the 2017 Australian Junior Bowlriding Champion U16’s which is the peak and most competitive Australian Skateboarding Title. As a result of his results and national ranking, Kieran has been invited to join the Australian Skateboarding Federation Olympic Training Squad which is designed to support athletes with the potential to medal in the 2020 Olympics.

OUTSTANDING SPORTS ADMINISTRATOR

The nominees included:

Mick Cronin OAM of Toolijooa – Mick Cronin is being recognised for his contribution to the Gerringong and our local sporting community. Regarded as one the greatest rugby league players in the last century, Mick played 216 games for the Parramatta Eels which included four Premierships in the 1980’s. He also played 22 Tests and 11 World Cup matches for Australia. In 2016, Mick coached the Gerringong Lions to back-to-back Premierships in the South Coast Group Seven Rugby League competition.
Simon Pearse of Albion Park – Simon is being recognised for his significant contribution to our local sporting community as President of the Albion Park Rail Cricket Club.
Josh Douglas of Kiama Downs – Josh is being recognised for his outstanding involvement with the Kiama Downs Surf Life Saving Club and the South Coast Surf Life Saving Community in general.

OUTSTANDING CITIZEN

The nominees included:

Janet Poppett of Gerringong – Janet is being recognised for her outstanding contribution to our local community as a group fitness instructor at the Kiama Leisure Centre since 1995. Janet is also a Life Member of Little Athletics, a Relay for Life team organiser, scripture teacher at her local church and is an exercise instructor in Kiama Downs, Albion Park, Gerringong and Shoalhaven Heads. She is a well-known and respected identity in our local community.
Belinda Brooks of Kiama – Belinda is being recognised for her brilliant advocate for women with disabilities being recognised for their courage and achievements. She is also a panellist and a performer for the Australian Centre for Leadership for Women’s public leadership forums. She is a gifted artist with an incredible voice performing in many local and State events.
Mike Gorman of Wattamolla – Mike is being recognised for his outstanding service as local Rural Fire Service Captain for the past year and total of 19 years of service in the Kangaroo Valley brigade. Mike also volunteers his services as an electrician for multiple events every year including Kangaroo Valley Show, Swimming Carnival, Community Garden, Ambulance Station, Fire Station, Tennis Club and Arts Festival.
Cathy Gorman of Wattamolla – Cathy is being recognised for her significant contribution to the Kangaroo Valley Show Society. She also compliments her husband Mike in their many and varied Kangaroo Valley community undertakings.
Dion Larkins of Kangaroo Valley – Dion is being recognised for his outstanding volunteer involvement with the Kangaroo Valley community including Kangaroo Valley Public School, local Petanque Club, Junior AFL and Kangaroo Valley Tennis Club.

Passionate community members recognised at 2017 Kiama Electorate Awards

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