Jill Hall (Shortland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 28 January, the recipients of the 2010 Shortland awards were presented with their awards. This year it was a little different because we also gave awards to three groups. The first is the Belmont Neighbourhood Watch. The second is the Catherine Hill Bay Surf Lifesaving Club, which was formed in 1923. It was originally known as the Wallarah Surf Club. It reformed in 1927 and it has cared for that community and that beach and been involved in a number of very important rescues. The third is the Charlestown Caring Group, which was formed in 1979. It is in James Street, Charlestown. It was first funded by a Hunter Area Assistance Scheme grant as a neighbour aid group and it provides a number of services, including home visits, home respite, shopping, group activities, bus outings, transport to medical appointments—a fantastic group. Three people from that group received awards: Eileen Steel, Robert Steel and Brian Cherry.

I will also mention some other nominees, who were not part of groups. Peter Brennan from Tingira Heights was nominated by the Salvation Army for the work that he does with Pete’s Kitchen. Pam Meatheringham was nominated by Lake Macquarie residential parks homeowners. Don Spence was nominated for his work with the men’s shed at Windale. Sue Barker was nominated as founder of Dog Rescue Newcastle.

The people at the Catherine Hill Bay Surf Lifesaving Club who received awards are Russell Bax, Richard Black, Nathan Hall, Robert Hall, Steve Marley, Mick Mottley and Alex Rainford. They were involved in the search and recovery of missing fishermen who died at Catherine Hill Bay. That was a very traumatic event.

Belmore Neighbourhood Watch was formed in 1987, and it is the last remaining neighbourhood watch group in New South Wales. It delivers monthly newsletters to residents. Those nominated for awards were Pat Anstey, Ruby Nielson, William Stephenson, Drew Davies, Bill Johnston, Christine Gray, Keith Hudson, Bruce Brander, Patricia Brander, Robert Burton, Beryl Moloney, Robin Potts, Brenda Russell, Beverley Simpson, Anne Haslam, Keith Purcival, Christine Fletcher, Beverley Wrixon, Kenneth Wrixon, Brian Jacks, Leanne Papadopoulos, Elisabeth Cockerell, Clarrie Ferguson, David Brown, Yvonne Brown, Robyn Alcorn, Cheryl Brothers, James Brothers, Kelvin Harrison, Joyce Hancock, Jenny Haslam and Beryl Naughton.

I thank them all for their enormous contribution to the Shortland community. (Time expired)