NSW Governor honours community pillars

THE NSW Governor was in Nowra for the first time on Thursday to present awards to 11 locals being recognised for their voluntary services to the community.

The South Coast Community Awards were presented by His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC and hosted by The Honourable Shelley Hancock MP at the Wesley Centre on Berry Street.

“Each [of the recipients] is a vital part of the social fabric of this state and electorate,” Mrs Hancock said.

“This ceremony is to celebrate you.”

Five well-known locals were awarded community service awards.

Dick Manwarring was recognised for his fund-raising efforts for cancer treatment in the Bay and Basin area, John Nicholas for his 45 years of service to Sussex Inlet Marine Rescue, Meg Sweeney for championing for people with a disability, including her own daughter, Robyn Kerves for her efforts as an environmental advocate for Lake Conjola and Pamela Arnold who is the highly respected leader of Nowra Family Support Centre.

Peter Stapleton and Roy Sweeny were presented with Justice of the Peace long service awards, Deborah Waller received a NSW carers award, while Trish Ikin and Ian MacLaughlan received NSW state representative awards for their commitment to the sport of dragon boating.

The ceremony concluded with a presentation to the NSW South Coast Woman of the Year Jo Allen, who joined the Nowra SES Unit in 2006, becoming known and appreciated for her catering skills as well as rising to senior positions within the organisation.

“I am one among hundreds who volunteer and to be recognised is fantastic,” she said.

“The experience and people and training of SES have shaped who I am.

“Volunteering has got me well and truly hooked.”

The Governor, three months into the role, said he and his wife Linda were delighted to be visiting the Shoalhaven.

“My job is to build up the people of NSW,” he said.

“There is an enormous core of goodness and greatness in our country.”

He stressed the importance of fostering a culture of volunteering.

“Over two million people in NSW are registered as volunteers,” he said.

“In the Shoalhaven one in five people are volunteers.

“That has an economic value. What you are doing is not confined to your area, but is building the fabric of this state and this country.

“It is only natural that many people pick up a volunteering role when they retire … but the big challenge for us is that many of our volunteers are ageing and there will be a big challenge to teach the younger generation about volunteering. That’s how this country has survived and will grow into the future.”