House debates

Thursday, 5 March 2015

Statements by Members

Abrahams, Mr David

1:55 pm

Photo of Kevin HoganKevin Hogan (Page, National Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I offer my heartiest congratulations to David Abrahams on being named the 2014 Volunteer of the Year at the recent New South Wales awards presentation held at the Kirribilli Club in Sydney in December. David received the award for his lifetime commitment to his community through volunteering spanning 67 years, commencing at age 17 when he became rugby club secretary. David says that he just grew up with volunteering, 'My mum used to say, "Dad was out doing something eight nights a week." I enjoy the company and I like helping people.'

David has taken on leadership roles at every organisation he has been involved in: the Clarence River Jockey Club, the Grafton Pony Club, the Clarence River Masters Swimming Club, the Grafton chamber of commerce, Cowper children's home, Clarence children's village, Livingstone House, the Retail Traders Association, Grafton U3A and more. He has assisted with fundraising for organisations and volunteered with the Sydney Olympics and the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. David said, on being named volunteer of the year that the award itself was not the great thing; sitting in the Kirribilli Club overlooking Darling Harbour with 250 like-minded people from around the state was my reward. He said:

I didn't know I would win it. I was over the moon for myself, the people behind me and for the people of Grafton and the Clarence Valley.

I thank David for his efforts.