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January 30, 2012
Formerly Gosford Central Community News
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Mayor Cr Laurie Maher with Bruce Dent of St Josephs Workshop, Katie Dixon, Member for Robertson Ms Deborah O’Neill, Steve Robson, William Fortier, Pat Dell, Ros Greener, Briana Shaw, Con Ryan representing the 5 Lands Walk and Clr Jim Macfadyen
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In all, 52 citizens were nominated for a Community Award across the nine categories on offer. This year, local school teacher from St Edwards College Mr Patrick Dell, was named Citizen of the Year for his continued advocacy for social justice and volunteer work for countless organisations. Mr Dell is the social justice coordinator at St Edwards College, East Gosford, a position he said he takes on with great commitment, dedication and enthusiasm. He tirelessly volunteers his time to countless charitable causes within the community. In his position as social justice coordinator, he encourages young men to donate their time and teaches them the benefit of giving to others. He has been the driving force behind the school’s Waterford Project in which students complete 20 hours of community service annually. Patrick has provided
students of the college with the opportunity to give back to their community facilitating volunteering for Donnison St Outreach, Mary Macs Woy Woy, St Vincent De Paul, Red Cross, Legacy, Macquarie Fields Indigenous Program, Caritas K’s, the Heart Foundation and the Haven Education Centre just to name a few. In recent times, Patrick has raised money for the Queensland Flood Appeal, Christian Brothers in the Philippines, the Donnica Clarke Foundation, St Joseph’s Walgett, St Edmunds Wahroonga and Coast Shelter. Pat has volunteered thousands of hours of community work while also encouraging others to get involved, his attitude and enthusiasm for helping others is both infectious and inspiring. His commitment to volunteering, fundraising, advocacy and action over the past 15 years has made a significant impact on past
and present St Edwards’ students and his great work is appreciated by many throughout the wider community. In a ceremony celebrating those achieving great things in the community, audiences enjoyed entertainment from Youth in Performing Art (YIPA) students, with Gosford City Town Crier, Stephen Clarke as Master of Ceremonies. Australia Day Committee chairman Cr Jim Macfadyen said that all of this year’s nominees made a significant contribution to Gosford City. “The residents recognised at today’s ceremony should be proud of the work they do within our community, their enthusiasm and dedication to helping others is what makes our community great. “I would like to congratulate all of our nominees and this year’s category winners for their outstanding efforts, these accolades are truly well deserved,” said Cr Macfadyen.
Issue 025
Garda awarded medal
Australia Day Community Awards
ome of Gosford City’s finest were recognised at the Australia Day Community Awards in a ceremony at Laycock St Community Theatre on Sunday, January 22.
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The winner of the Arts Culture and Entertainment category was Patonga resident Jocelyn Maughan while the winner of the Business category was Ocean Beach Surf Life Saver Katie Dixon who is a dedicated cancer researcher. The winner of the Community Event category was the 5 Lands Walk and the Environment award winner was Wires Central Coast volunteer William Fortier. Ros Greener was recognised in the Senior category for her work at the Peninsula Women’s Health Centre, Rachelle King was the winner of the Sport category for her results in Surf Life Saving and the Youth category was won by Steve Robson. The Volunteer organisation category was won by St Joseph’s Workshop and the individual volunteer category was won by Brianna Shaw for her work with the Brain Injury Unit at the Royal Rehabilitation Centre. Media Release, 22 Jan 2012 Gosford Council Media
olf Garda of Springfield has been awarded an Australia Day 2012 Emergency Services Medal (ESM).
He joined the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) at Blacktown as a volunteer in 1987 and transferred to Gosford in 1990. He became Deputy Controller (Administration) in 1992 and was appointed to his current role of SES Gosford Local Controller three years later. Mr Garda has devoted much time to the SES and has participated in many significant SES operations and activities and in many community events including numerous talks and presentations to schools and other community organisations. His key achievements include initiating major renovations to the Gosford Local Headquarters after the Rural Fire Service vacated the building in 1998-99. He instigated and organised the conversion of the cramped and unsuitable premises into an effective SES Unit Headquarters with facilities for training, operations, stores and
Rolf Garda Photo: Naomi Bridges
garaging for Unit vehicles. Since his appointment as Local Controller, Mr Garda has taken the Unit from strength to strength, providing exemplary leadership, encouraging all members to participate fully, and ensuring that the Unit delivers a high quality of service to the local community. He is also a highly skilled and sought-after trainer and assessor. Mr Garda’s distinguished career as a volunteer over many years reflects great credit on him, the Gosford SES Unit and the SES in NSW. Email, 16 Jan 2012 Adrian Bey, Government House
Medal for guides trainer arara resident Ms Susan Carr has received an Order of Australia Medal for her service to youth through Girl Guides Australia.
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She has been a national training team member of the Girl Guides Association since 1998, a board bember of the Girl Guides Association of NSW and the ACT in 2001 and 2006-2009 and a training adviser since 2009. She has been the chair of the NSW Training Committee since 2009 and a member from 1997-2003 and 20052011. Ms Carr was a member of the NSW Membership Management Committee since 1997-2008 and since 2009. She was also a state support group adviser in 1997-2002, member of the NSW Properties Management Committee from 1998-2001 and a member of the NSW State Council from 19972001. Susan was also a planning committee member and local association adviser in the NSW Local AssociationSupport Group Conferences
from 1982-1995, a region training adviser at Coastal Valleys since 2008, an administrator in the Western Sydney Region in 2007-2008, a region leader on the Central Coast from 2001-2006 and an acting district leader at Warners Bay, Ourimbah and Point Koonarong at various times. She was the district leader for Gosford City from 19982001, district leader at Niagara Park from 1991-1996, support group president from 19821985 and local association adviser for the Central Coast, 1989-1995. Susan was the support group member at Wyoming and Niagara Park from 1980-1991 and has been a teacher at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic School in the Entrance for 23 years and held various positions on the school’s P and F in Wyoming from 1979-1985. Email, 16 Jan 2012 Adrian Bey, Government House