Bob Baldwin (Paterson, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Tonight I rise to pay recognition to the fine, outstanding volunteers in my electorate of Paterson. Last Saturday we celebrated the fourth year of the Paterson Citizen of the Year awards. There are four categories: Paterson Citizen of the Year, Corporate Citizen of the Year, Sports Achiever of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year.

There were 19 nominees for Citizen of the Year: June Toms for her work on the Ladies Auxiliary of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol at Nelson Bay; Ellen Auriac for 12 years of service to Coolongolook Public School; Eric Dates for his service to St John’s Ambulance Service, Raymond Terrace Neighbourhood Watch and diabetes support and fundraising; Kevin McDonald, a founding member of the Hunter region botanic gardens; James Olsen, President of the Dungog Branch of the National Servicemen’s Association and for his service through Rotary; Nancy Carter for her work with Forster Salvation Army Store and care in the community; Kevin Haskew for his volunteering with Meals on Wheels, the Tea Gardens Progress Association and for his working on local preservation and local environmental initiatives; Dawn Engel, Secretary of the Tea Gardens Country Club and for her work on the preservation of local history; Doreen Bradley for her work with Legacy and war widows and as a community advocate on crime issues; Helen Kearney for her contribution to musical education; David Knight for his service with the Tanilba Bay Rural Fire Service and Tilligerry Scouts; Doyne Lanhan for her environmental service to Karuah Valley Landcare and for being a mentor and worker for the Stroud Anglican Church; Donna Hall for her work as a volunteer in health and education and as an advocate for cultural issues; John Ward for his work as a volunteer carer at One Mile Beach; Leah Bastian, who runs a self-esteem course for teenage girls and operates youth groups and breakfast clubs; Peter Mason, a crimes issues advocate; Sean Brennan, a crimes issues advocate in the Tilligerry area; Jean Olley for her work in environmental protection and preservation; and Ted Bickford.

But there can only be one winner and that winner was Ted Bickford. For more than a decade, Ted Bickford has been known as the graffiti buster in Forster-Tuncurry. Starting with a bicycle and a backpack filled with his wife’s kitchen cleaning aids, Ted took to removing graffiti from public and private property in the Great Lakes Shire. Since those humble beginnings, Ted has been provided with a vehicle by the Great Lakes Shire Council. But Ted’s efforts have been expended on more than just removing graffiti; he has also forged strong friendships and links with and has been a mentor to many young people in the area who have witnessed Ted cleaning up the facilities that they use, such as the skate park. He has given many former graffiti offenders support and encouragement to become young adults who now take pride in their community rather than destroy it.

There were five nominees for Corporate Citizen of the Year: Rodney Starr of the Port Stephens Veterinary Hospital; Matt and Catherine Bliss from Coastline Plumbing; Allen and Sue Ray from Smarty Plants; and Brian and Marie Melick from McDonalds Forster; and the winner, Shane Bailey. Shane Bailey works for Hunter Workways and is a team leader in the Green Corps program. Shane has been awarded the Corporate Citizen of the Year because of his efforts in mentoring young people. He works daily with Green Corps participants who undertake environmental projects in Port Stephens over a six-month period. But, instead of a leading a nine-to-five life and clocking off when the participants go home, Shane goes the extra distance by encouraging participants into the workforce, providing career advice and being a referee to employers. His strong connection with Green Corps members and his passion for providing training in the environmental sector mean that he earns their trust and encourages them to be the best they can be, whatever career path they might decide to take. Shane is a young ambassador for our region and is a future leader in our community.

There were four nominees for Sports Achiever of the Year: Carl Leonard, from Wirreanda Public School, who has done some outstanding work in the Sun-Herald City to Surf program, particularly with the girls primary school team section; Nicholas Moroney, who won his sixth Australian high jump title this year and qualified for the Commonwealth Games high jump final; Jessica Hickson, who got first place in the Open Women’s Australia Surfing Titles, first place in the Billabong girls Easter pro junior and other senior places; and the winner, Heath Francis. Heath Francis is no stranger to accepting awards. He has been competing at a world level in running since 1998 and represented Australia at the Sydney Paralympics in 2000, at Athens in 2004 and at several world championships. This year he won gold at the Commonwealth Games in the 200 metres and he won three gold medals at the IPC World Championships in Holland in September for the 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres. On top of these sporting achievements, Heath is studying two degrees and gives talks to schools, clubs and community groups.

Last, but by no means least, the Young Citizen of the Year nominees were Luke Tahnae, Madeline Toms, Lauren Abberton, Adam Frost, Jake Rudge, Ryan McNeil and Penelope Parker. The winner was Penelope Parker.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! It being 9.30 pm, the debate is interrupted. The House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 12.30 pm, in accordance with the resolution agreed to on 16 October 2006.