House debates

Thursday, 23 October 2014

Statements by Members

Robertson Electorate: Volunteers

1:34 pm

Photo of Lucy WicksLucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Today, I rise to honour the more than 19,000 people who, in one way or another, volunteer in our local community and in my electorate of Robertson. On behalf of our local community, I express our gratitude and appreciation to the our local residents who give of themselves tirelessly, year after year, month after month and day after day. They quietly get on with the job of serving others with their time, their skills and their care. They rarely call for recognition, but today I want to honour them. In particular, I want to honour those who won awards at the 2014 Volunteer of the Year awards on the Central Coast. Fred Leake, of Woy Woy, assists at Woy Woy South Public School. He has dedicated the past decade to assisting students and teachers in the classroom. He is passionate about education and our young people. At the age of 90, he was acknowledged as the Central Coast volunteer of the year and, also, senior volunteer of the year.

The student volunteer of the year award went to Aidan Morley, also of Woy Woy, who volunteers with HammondCare. Aged at just 15, he is caring for his community by supporting dementia patients and also by aiding the Red Shield Appeal, 40 Hour Famine and the Coast Shelter. Clint Pressley, of the Rural Fire Service, was also recognised. It was humbling to meet these award recipients at the Central Coast Leagues Club. I thank Gemma Rygate, the Centre for Volunteering's CEO, for the invitation.

Australia has always been a nation of volunteers. Their work, each and every day, makes our country a better place.