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Thank You Very Munch

Jean Ryan, volunteer delivery driver for Meals on Wheels

By Brooke LYNCH

ON Wednesday 1 July the Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest Meals on Wheels hosted its annual morning tea at the Hawks Nest community hall as a thank you to its thirty-five volunteer delivery drivers. Meredyth Rae, the Officer Manager at Meals on Wheels told News Of the Area, “Today we are having a morning tea specifically for the deliverers of meals because each day in the kitchen the staff and the volunteers get to sit around having morning tea and enjoy each other’s company, but the deliverers don’t get that comradery.” “Because of this, once a year in the middle of the year we like to give them morning tea so that they can get together and chat and laugh as well.” Ms Rae explained how important the role of the volunteers is to the operation of Meals on Wheels, “Basically we couldn’t be a service without the volunteer deliverers and kitchen staff.” Ms Rae told News of the Area, “We want to thank our volunteers very much because they do a fantastic job and we can’t do it without them.” Judy Poole has been a delivery driver with Meals on Wheels for over three years and said what appeals to her about the organisation is the social interaction she receives, and the satisfaction of providing a valuable service to the community; “It’s a great group of people.” “I have never seen so many people care about what they are doing.” “From a delivery standpoint it's about making contact with the people who need it.” “It is about having a five- or tenminute chat with the clients.” “It’s really nice touching base with our clients, it’s just a joy.” “Many of them really depend on

The restoration of oyster

The MEMS oyster knowledge of the best ways to restore natural oyster reefs and identify the most suitable places for reef restoration Meals on Wheels for their food.” Meals on Wheels has been active in the Hawks Nest / Tea Gardens community since the mid nineteen eighties and Jean Ryan is the longest serving delivery driver. Jean has been volunteering for the organisation for approximately thirty years.

Oysters come back on track

SANDRA Murray writes:

Fishers and marine life are already reaping the benefits of that pile of rocks and recycled oyster shells that were moved from the old Tea Gardens ramp to the entrance of the Myall River earlier this year, according to the NSW Department of

reefs and settlement of oysters began within days of the rocks being placed,” reefs is part of the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy (MEMS). reef project is increasing Primary Industries (DPI).

projects along the

FISHERS and marine life are already reaping the benefits of that pile of rocks and recycled oyster shells that were moved from the old Tea Gardens ramp to the entrance of the Myall River earlier this year, according to the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). The rocks and shells form part of the Oyster project currently being piloted in the lower Myall River. It uses one of the area’s historical industries, oysters, to boost the river habitat. The recycled oyster shells were collected from oyster farmers located within Port Stephens, to ensure diseases are not introduced from other estuaries. Oyster reefs once covered large areas of the local marine environment, providing habitat and food for fish, invertebrates, and other marine life. Many were lost over time due to over harvesting, habitat removal, dredging, water pollution and disease. DPI Senior Fisheries Manager, Kylie Russell, stated, “The project placed 3,300 tonnes of rock and 180 cubic metres of recycled oyster shell on two restoration sites, creating more than 10,000 square metres of reef base for oyster colonisation. Researchers have already documented fish and invertebrates utilising the new

A True Gentleman

VALE JOHN FITZGERALD A SCHOLAR AND A GENTLEMAN 1928-2020

By Lyn CHAIKIN

THE family and friends of the late John Fitzgerald recently gathered at lunch to reminisce and celebrate his interesting and well lived life. John was an active member of the U3A till his death. He was a true renaissance man. His knowledge on many subjects was deep and till the day he died, his curiosity, love of life and belief in people did not diminish. John was born in England and like many young children from London he was sent to the country during the war. His education was cut short and although he managed to resume his studies in later years, he continued learning all his life and never lost his thirst for knowledge. He joined the navy and travelled to many countries. His shipboard stories are legendary. John and many other young sailors decided that they would possibly move to Australia which they saw as the land of great opportunity. After a few years back in England, John returned to Australia with his beloved wife, Kay. His second love of life was the world of film and he made many films for the Australian Coal board. Later, he branched out independently and made other films. He won awards for his films about Sri Lanka and the official documentary on the building of the Opera House. John was a a leading member of the Myall U3A and delighted his audiences with his presentations on film making in all its genres. Sadly, Kay became an invalid and John nursed her for several years before she died. Even when John's health was failing, he travelled with his son and grandchildren to Europe. He never lost his thirst for knowledge and his love of life He will be lovingly remembered by all his friends, especially those at the U3A. He is survived by his children, Helen, Mark and Kevin and his eight grandchildren. John was a true gentleman and a man of the people. He will be remembered lovingly by his U3A family and all his friends who crossed his path.

q Map of the local and first large-scale project to restore oyster reefs in NSW being conducted at two sites in Port Stephens, including the Myall (Source: NSW Marine Estate).