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to Healthy Cities Illawarra Awards 
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ANNE HARRIS and ROSS MCGREGOR: Voluntary beautification of the Shellharbour Cemetery From tending their own loved ones gravesites, Shellharbour residents Anne Harris and Ross McGregor have now found themselves voluntary gardeners for the whole Shellharbour cemetery. For the past four years they have spent part of every day at the cemetery tending to the grounds to make it a more beautiful place for their loved ones and for all the people of Shellharbour. They have appreciated the beauty and potential of the cemetery and are pleased to support the Council in making necessary improvements to this important place.
KEN O’HARA: Promoting and lobbying for higher levels of permanent employment At 86, some people would think about putting their feet up and enjoying their retirement. But not for Gerringong resident Ken O’Hara who has been lobbying for changes which will provide higher levels of employment for all people in Australia but particularly young people. Ken is a regular contributor to the newspapers and was instrumental in establishing the ‘unemployment networkers’ a voluntary group of likeminded citizens who have donated hundreds of hours of time and an estimated $10,000 of postage and stationary pursuing their objective of giving more people the opportunity to have satisfactory and gainful employment for life. Ken often quotes Bertrand Russell who said “Modern methods of production have given us the possibility of ease and security for all, but we have instead chosen overwork for some and starvation for others.”
WARILLA WANDERERS SOCCER CLUB: For a “Backyard Blitz” for Valerie West It was a golden goal for Warilla Wanderers soccer Mum, Valerie West when members of the club banded together to give her their version of a “backyard blitz”. After the premature loss of her husband, Valerie was finding the going tough around home when the club decided to pitch in. During the blitz an old pergola was removed, the roof was fixed and the guttering cleaned out as well as a major clean up of the backyard. This reflects a great sense of community and the way people can help out in very practical ways in times of need.
NOEL HOCKEY and BOB WILLIAMS: For a renovation rescue for Aaleem Alcock Thanks to the kindness of local builders, Noel Hockey and Bob Williams young Aaleem Alcock now has a room of his own. Following a terrible accident in which Aaleem was struck by a car leaving him with serious head and leg injuries he was forced to sleep in the lounge room as his bedroom was unable to accommodate his special bed and wheelchair. As well as doing some of the work, Noel and Bob successfully sought donations of supplies and labour from a number of businesses and tradesmen. The works ran into the thousands of dollars but the smile on Aaleem’s face made it all worthwhile for these generous builders.
CORAL POMBO-CAMPBELL: Coordination of a reunion and developing a booklet, ‘Letting the Truth Out” For some a school reunion is an opportunity to remember the carefree days of youth. But not for many young women, including Coral Pombo-Campbell, who attended the notorious Parramatta Training School for Girls. The school, which promised to “educate and reform young girls who had lost the way” was instead a scene of emotional, physical and spiritual cruelty for many of them. In a very emotional and personal trip, Coral faced the demons of her past and was involved in a reunion of past students and then went on to collate, edit and produce a booklet called “Letting the Truth Out”. The booklet included stories, poetry and pictures from the women and was an important means of facing the painful memories and thereby allow for healing to occur.
IMB: For donation of 30 marquees to the community To celebrate 125 years of service to the Illawarra community IMB donated 30 marquees valued at $100,000 for the use of non-profit organizations throughout the region. The marquees will provide essential protection from the elements at such things as sporting events, fairs, shows and expos and are available free of charge to community groups. Congratulations to the IMB for a practical donation which will greatly assist in developing community life.
JULIE MCDONALD: For establishing an Illawarra branch of Rural Australian’s for Refugees Driven by unhappiness about the current Federal government’s approach to placing refugee children and adults in detention Julie decided to take a stand. She decided to establish an Illawarra branch of an organization called Rural Australian’s for Refugees. To kick the group off Julie held a fundraising lunch at her property and over $1,100 was raised. The Illawarra group will become a part of the National network which boasts some 85 local branches throughout rural Australia and will hold information sessions to raise community awareness about the hardships that refugees suffer in order to come to Australia. Congratulations Julie.
DRAGONS ABREAST ILLAWARRA: Promoting understanding about breast cancer There is no stopping a group of 20 breast cancer survivors as they paddle their way to prove their point – there is life after a breast cancer diagnosis. This posse of powerful paddlers formed Illawarra Dragons Abreast as a way of getting some exercise, rehabilitating their upper bodies and having some fun. The group trains most Saturdays and compete in the annual Shellharbour Festival of Sport Dragon boat races and have done so for the past three years. This group has provided important support and positive energy for women recovering from breast cancer and are to be congratulated for their efforts.
PAT PHELAN: Voluntarily running yoga classes for 18 years This amazing lady has been sharing the physical and mental benefits of yoga with other people for the past 18 years. Pat has been voluntarily running a yoga class at the St Paul’s Anglican Church hall in Shellharbour every week for a range of people from young mum’s through to people in their late seventies. Pat receives no money for leading the classes but people make a $2 donation which is saved up and donated to local charities twice per year. This really is a lady who flexes her generous spirit every week.
KEVIN DAVIS: Inventing a design to improve pool gate safety Following a Healthy Cities report which found that over 30% of swimming pool fences had gates which did not close or latch properly putting young children at risk of drowning, Kevin came up with a common sense but previously un-thought of idea. He designed a continuous concrete footing on the pool gate which would stop the gate becoming misaligned causing it to not shut properly. He sought out Healthy Cities and as a result his design is now a part of the requirements for all pool fences in the Shellharbour area. His ingenuity may well save the life of young children in the future.
SHELHARBOUR CITY COUNCIL: For purchasing a bus for children’s services with fittings for child restraints Children and babies will now travel more safely thanks to the foresight of Shellharbour City Council which has ensured that the next bus they purchase for their outstanding community transport scheme will have fittings for child restraints and baby capsules. The new bus will be used for children’s services and it is reassuring for parents of children travelling on the bus that their kids will be properly restrained. A simple, low cost inclusion which greatly enhances the safety for people using the service.
OAK FLATS LIONESS CLUB: For 19 years of donating books to schools The Oak Flats Lioness Club has been fundraising for local schools for the past 19 years. Their fundraising over this period has provided additional library books for at least ten Shellharbour schools with the books hand picked by Lioness members to meet the interests and ages of the students.
FRED & RUTH EGAN: Establishing the Shellharbour sitting service Fred and Ruth can never be accused of sitting down on the job even though they established the first in-house sitting service and respite in Shellharbour. In 1977, they identified a great need for respite carers and a home visiting service for people who are housebound. From that time they went on to build an impressive, free service with 200 clients and did this with no government funding. The Shellharbour Sitting Service went on to become a model for other government and non-government services and continues to provide a valuable local service. After nearly 30 years voluntary involvement helping others have a break perhaps Fred and Ruth deserve to put their feet up and have a cup of tea.
QUAN TRAN and the ILLAWARRA VIETNAMESE ASSOCIATION: Ongoing environmental work in the Illawarra Quan Tran is a well known figure in the Illawarra’s multi-cultural community. She is involved in a wide range of community services such as the Indo-Chinese Association, Vietnamese Association and has led fundraising efforts for a range of charities. For her major contribution to the lives of migrants and refugees to the region Quan was recognized with a prestigious Seniors Week Achievement award. Supported by Quan, the local Vietnamese Association has become involved with a number of environmental works including a number of Healthy Cities Illawarra projects. Each year the Association participates in Clean Up Australia Day, they have successfully continued work in education about the marine environment and translated marine information signs into Vietnamese. These efforts show the integral role our Vietnamese community are playing in the social and environmental welfare of the region.
ROBERT GRISILLO: for donation of a ute for landscaping trainees Trainee landscape gardeners found themselves with a job but no way of transporting themselves or their materials to their worksite. But thanks to Cringila Hotel owner-manager, Robert Grisillo this major problem was solved. Robert kindly donated the lease costs of a new Nissan Navara ute for the work team which has allowed them to get on with their work landscaping the Cringila Community Park and also work on other sites. Robert was pleased to be able to help out knowing that the team could then operate as a real business and develop their skills which will ultimately lead to long term employment. The “ute is beaut” said one of the delighted trainees.
PACT FOUNDERS: Founding Parents & Carers Together For parents with special needs children, simply getting through each day can be a major challenge. However, Karen Adams and her friend Vanessa Risku decided that it would be useful to share these challenges with others in the same situation. They formed a support group called ‘Parents and Carers Together’ which aimed to share the load of life with others in the same situation. The group had regular meetings and undertook a special grief course for people with special needs children.
SOUTH COAST FISHCARE VOLUNTEERS and KURTIS TORY: Donation of fish and a tank for the Wollongong Hospital Children’s Ward Sick kids at the Wollongong Hospital will now be able to Find Nemo thanks to the generous donation of fish and a fully decked out fish tank courtesy of South Coast Fishcare Volunteers and Kurtis Tory from Aquascene in Kiama. The fish tank is located in the childrens ward of Wollongong Hospital and provides kids with hours of entertainment. An excellent enhancement to the hospital environment.
PP CRANNEY & CARLOS GOMES: For production of ‘Landed’ with students from the Warrawong Intensive English Centre How does it feel to be a migrant or refugee who has ‘landed’ in Australia? This was the theme explored in this innovative theatre production which combined the stories and experiences from students at the Warrawong Intensive English Centre with professional theatre. The result of the collaboration was highly entertaining and unusual theatre which shared real life experiences and challenged people to understand more about the experiences of newly arrived Australians. The process was also important for the students who shared their unique experiences with each other. A credit to the team which innovatively produces live theatre that communicates an important social message.
ORGANISER’S OF THE ILLAWARRA KOORI MEN’S SUPPORT GROUP: The establishment of a support group & programs for Koori Men Koori Men in the region now have a safe place and support network thanks to a committed group of volunteers who identified a real need for such a service for Koori Men in the Northern Illawarra region. This energetic group has developed a strong network which aims to improve the health, social life and well-being of Koori men. The group is providing a network, group counselling and practical projects which keep the men culturally strong. One of their initiatives this year was to hold a very successful family fun day at Blackbutt Reserve. An extremely positive initiative which is serving a valuable need for Koori men.
FIONA STEWART: Working to establish a community meeting place for Koori and non-Koori children Fiona is a great example of local reconciliation in action. She is working to increase understanding in the Kiama & Gerringong communities about the indigenous heritage of the area. In doing so she would like both aboriginal and non-aboriginal children to have the opportunity to understand more about places within the area which have special significance. In addition to her work on four fabulous murals, she has been seeking the public dedication of land at Seven Mile Beach, which was a traditional meeting place, to be set aside to re-establish it for this same purpose. As a mother of three boys, Fiona is keen for them to be spiritually re-connected with their Koori heritage as well as sharing this with non-Koori children and youth in the area.
SAVE EAST CROWN STREET MEMBERS: For organizing a ‘knit in’ protest These naughty knitters put their needles into action as a way of raising their concerns about development in lower Crown Street. The knitting symbolized the knitting together of community and its history and more than 50 people participated in this protest. The close knit group was able to send its message to the public that heritage values are important to the city centre.
JUNE JAMES: For creating a sense of community June is the driving force behind a huge range of support networks and positive activities in a local social housing complex. June started holding tenants meetings in her garage and the meetings have expanded to include craft sessions, woodwork sessions, a healthy eating group and a walking group. One of the major projects over the past few years has been a community garden. From humble beginnings, with a small group of tenants deciding to beautify the gardens around the units, this project has developed into a large community garden on land adjacent to the units. There are individual vegetable patches, flower gardens, innovative recycling ideas, and a community picnic area. The gardeners provide produce to their families and neighbours; non gardeners gather for social morning teas amongst the vegetables and flowers; friendships are forged and people are supported through the difficult times. Their latest enhancement is the purchase of 2 water tanks: one for the garden, and one within the unit complex for washing cars and other household uses. All these initiatives have been funded through raffles, BBQs, enthusiasm, hard work and dedication to the community.
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