It was my pleasure to announce that Robert Bryant of Kirrawee, a stalwart of water polo in the Sutherland Shire, is the 2025 Cronulla Senior of the Year.
Robert received the award at a presentation to recognise the contribution of 12 local volunteers nominated for the Cronulla Seniors Awards, which are presented as part of the annual NSW Seniors Festival.
Robert has made an enormous volunteer contribution to water polo in the Sutherland Shire over half a century of involvement with the sport locally.
Affectionately known as ‘Rocko’, Robert has continually dedicated his own time to pass on his knowledge and skills as a two time Olympian to up and coming players.
He’s been a coach and mentor for both the Cronulla club and the Sutherland Shire Junior Water Polo Association and can be found at the Sutherland Leisure Centre most days and evenings helping teams and coaches.
Robert is also actively involved with planning and organisation of the junior association’s ‘Polobility’ competition, a modified game designed to allow young people with a diverse range of disabilities to get involved in water polo.
On top of his efforts in coaching and administration as a volunteer, Robert also managed to notch his 900th game for the Cronulla Sharks in late 2024.
His community involvement has also extended to Cronulla Polar Bears, Elouera Surf Life Saving Club and St Patrick’s Football Club.
Robert is person with huge community spirit and this award is well-deserved recognition for what he’s done for local sporting organisations, individual players and officials and the sport of water polo over many decades.
I congratulate Robert and the 11 other finalists for the awards on what they’ve done as volunteers. Their efforts are a glimpse of the extraordinary work done by thousands of seniors who volunteer across the Shire every day to help our many community organisations do what they do and help make it a great place to live.
It was great to see the 12 finalists, together with their family, friends and representatives of the organisations where they volunteer, at the Cronulla Seniors Awards presentation in Caringbah South.
The other finalists for the Cronulla Seniors Awards were:
Greg Allum AM of Cronulla for service to the community through surf lifesaving
Lynette Bates of Woolooware for service to the community through Rotary, Probus and Wrap with Love
Andrew Britton of Burraneer for service to the community through Surfing Sutherland Shire
Robert and Nerida Broady of Caringbah for service to the Community through Caringbah Baptist Church
Helen Forsyth of Cronulla for service to the community through the Sutherland Shire Council Animal Shelter.
Bob King of Cronulla for service to the community through Elouera Surf Life Saving Club
Noel Parkinson of Caringbah South for service to the community through Marine Rescue NSW
Ernest ‘Solly’ Stephens OAM of Cronulla for service to the community through Wanda Surf Life Saving Club
Lyn Turnbull of Caringbah South for service to the community through Caringbah Baptist Church
Steve Willett of Caringbah South for service to the community through Lilli Pilli Football Club.
Some of Australia’s junior leading triathletes are right here in the Cronulla community.
At the National All Schools Championship in WA:
🥇Kyle Mason was first placed for Senior Boys
🥈Lathan Targett was second placed for Junior Boys
🏅Petra Fransen, Sophie Fransen and Phoenix Rostron were also part of the NSW team.
Great work Cronulla Triathlon Club! ... See MoreSee Less
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👏👏👏
Congratulations Cronulla triathlon club
Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club
Happy Mother’s Day!
Today is a day to mark and give thanks for all that mothers do.
To the mothers, stepmums, grandmothers, foster carers and all those who take on the role of mum — thank you for your strength, care and endless love.
And to those for whom today is hard, we’re thinking of you too. 💐 ... See MoreSee Less
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Happy mother's day
What a beautiful post. Thank you Mark.
Justices of the Peace provide remarkable volunteer services to the people of NSW.
This week at Parliament of NSW we thanked JPs who’ve reached a milestone of 50 years of service - including, from the Cronulla electorate, Mike Batty PSM, Bob Rogers and June Samuel. ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you to our very special community volunteers.
Love it big man x
It was great to visit Kamay Botany Bay National Park recently and see the new visitor centre taking shape.
The visitor centre is expected to be completed next year. Together with the new amenities blocks at Commemoration Flat and Cricket Pitch, the new whale watching platform, walking track upgrades, car park and other improvements, the park will be an even better place to visit. ... See MoreSee Less
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Nice big man x
The election of Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost as the 267th pope is a moment of great significance for Catholics around the world.
May Pope Leo XIV’s leadership bring strength and renewal to the faithful and hope, goodwill and justice to Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
📸 Vatican Media ... See MoreSee Less
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It was a great honour to join Colonel Winsome Merrett, Chief Secretary of the Salvation Army Australia at the Sydney launch of the annual Red Shield Appeal today.
The Salvation Army has walked alongside Australians for over 140 years, supporting those facing hardship, crisis or isolation.
Every day the Salvos see the reality of Australia’s cost-of-living crisis — from rental unaffordability and mortgage stress to financial hardship, mental health issues and much more.
Thanks to the Salvos, there are many ways to support people experiencing hardship and crisis, including through the annual Red Shield Appeal.
You can:
✅Fundraise online
✅Volunteer to door knock on 25 and 26 May
✅Get your school, workplace or community involved
✅Or donate.
And be the hope people need.
bit.ly/4iV6bkq ... See MoreSee Less
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A top cause