Gail Erskine has been named the 2021 Cronulla Senior of the Year, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to children’s literature in NSW.
Gail Erskine is passionate about giving children access to high-quality Australian literature, as well as opportunities to connect with the authors and illustrators they love.
Whether in her professional life as a school teacher, or during the 30 years she’s been involved with the Children’s Book Council of Australia – NSW Branch, Gail has always sought ways to foster a love of reading among children and to encourage imaginative literary production.
Even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gail helped to ensure that children could be uplifted by online storytelling while they were in lockdown. Around 55,000 minutes of story time were presented as part of this Lunchtime Storytime program.
Gail’s energy, resilience and creativity are remarkable. Her fundamental belief in the transformative power of children’s writing has shaped her life’s work and inspired a love of reading among thousands of children.
The other finalists in the 2021 NSW Seniors Festival Local Achievement Awards were:
- Joy Burns – Grays Point Public School volunteer
- Reg Chirgwin OAM and Shirley Chirgwin OAM – Sutherland Hospital garden kiosk volunteers
- Carolyn Davis – Kurnell photographer and volunteer
- Rina Mandarano – Stella Maris volunteer
The NSW Seniors Festival, which reaches around 500,000 seniors each year, is the biggest festival of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
The NSW Seniors Festival runs from 13-24 April and gives seniors a broad variety of opportunities to build connections in their communities, to be active and to try new things.
It’s also a chance for all of us to acknowledge and celebrate the important contribution of seniors right across NSW.
Gymea Bay Baths are a magical spot - but now increasingly afflicted by water pollution and litter, including because of the huge growth in its popularity as a fishing spot.
I caught up with local residents a few days ago to discuss the issues and possible solutions. ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you for coming down and listening to our concerns Mark. The Gymea Bay residents greatly appreciate it.
Have the fisheries look into if it is truely a king fish breeding ground. If so, ban it!
Giving our police wanding powers would deter the carrying of knives and can therefore reduce knife crime. ... See MoreSee Less
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Yes
Earlier this week I was out and about in the Shoalhaven City local government area, visiting Berry, Shoalhaven Heads, Nowra and Ulladulla - including checking out:
✅ Progress on the Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment
✅ Options for extra housing near the hospital and activating the nearby Shoalhaven River foreshore
✅ Waterway problems at Shoalhaven Heads
✅ Stalled redevelopment of Ulladulla Harbour. ... See MoreSee Less
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A lovely spot a bit like Cronulla 50 years ago don’t let them spoil it.
Thank you Mark
Just a couple of hours at the helm of your yacht from Gunnamatta Bay ...
✅👌
Honoured to attend two more moving Anzac Day services this afternoon:
- The 18th Coloured Digger March and Service, honouring Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander service men and women.
- The lunchtime commemorative service at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park.
📸 #10,11,13: RSL NSW ... See MoreSee Less
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Well done Mark, again
🌞 Good Morning 🌍 🌹Lest We Forget💐 🙏 HaVe A GrEaT DaY! #GreAt_PhotOs, 👍 #Amazing_Work, #GreAt_LeAdeR 👏
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Honoured to attend moving Anzac Day services at the Martin Place Cenotaph and Cronulla (and to be represented at Caringbah and Miranda).
📸 #2,3: RSL NSW ... See MoreSee Less
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It was a very busy morning for you serving the people of NSW and honouring those who protect our nation. Thank you Mark Speakman. 🙏
Lest we forget.🙏
We will remember them
Lest we forget.
Lest we forget 🇦🇺
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#lestweforget🌹 ... See MoreSee Less
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What a wonderful day. I love it every year. And cherish these wonderful men and women. Thank you for all you did for us.❤️.
Lest We Forget. On this most important ANZAC day we commentate the memory of all the men and women who served in the military and other ways to keep this great country free. We thank God for their service to our country. Thanks Councillor Allan Green 22 years serving Blacktown City Council community.
We will remember them
Lest We Forget ❤️
Lest we forget. 🇦🇺
Lest we forget …
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