Archives: Media Releases

AWARD FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE VETERAN VOLUNTEER

Marine Rescue NSW (MRNSW) volunteer Noel Parkinson of Caringbah South has been awarded for almost a quarter of century of helping keep the boating community safe on local waterways.

It was an honour to presented Noel with the NSW Community Service Award at MRNSW’s Hungry Point base.

Noel joined the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard in 2001 and continued to serve in several roles as the organisation became Marine Rescue NSW. Noel has played a vital role in countless search and rescue missions as a Coxswain and Watch Officer, been Commander of the Botany Port Hacking unit and now serves as an Admin Officer and the Returning Officer.

The award is presented as a thank you from the community of NSW for what Noel has done over almost 25 years as a committed volunteer.

He has previously been honoured by Marine Rescue NSW with life membership and having rescue vessel Botany Backing 32 named after him.

Noel is on the verge of adding 25 years of service in maritime rescue to his distinguished 40 year career as a NSW police officer.

It’s important as a community that we recognise unsung heroes like Noel who do so much for the community as volunteers.

Our boating community and his colleagues can be thankful for the experience, leadership and unwavering commitment Noel has brought to keeping boaties safe on our waterways.

I thank and acknowledge Noel and all his fellow MRNSW volunteers who give their time to serve and help protect our community.

$450,000 FOR CRONULLA COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Grants worth a total of almost $450,000 have been awarded to 16 community organisations in the Cronulla electorate.

The grants are being provided under the NSW Community Partnership Program to help local organisations deliver projects to improve their facilities and equipment.

The program is highly anticipated every year and again community volunteers have worked hard to submit fantastic applications for local projects.

Thanks to their efforts there will be improved facilities and equipment for organisations such as local primary and high schools, disability employment, and sporting clubs.

This is a great boost for what our volunteers so to help bring people together in community and I look forward to seeing these projects come to life in the months ahead.

The following projects have received funding from the latest round of applications:

  • Civic Disability Services (facilities upgrade and accessibility improvement) $66,225
  • Cronulla Public School P&C (construction of landscaped and covered yarning circle $50,000
  • Wanda Surf Life Saving Club (IT infrastructure upgrade) $47,421
  • Lilli Pilli Public School P&C (shade canopy for outdoor learning and play area) $35,000
  • Cronulla South Public School P&C (public address system upgrade for school hall and amphitheatre) $31,191
  • Yowie Bay Public School P&C (Chicken coop renovations) $29,150
  • Kirrawee High School P&C (air conditioning in priority classrooms) $26,300
  • Gymea Bay Public School P&C (new water hydration stations) $25,036
  • Port Hacking Dragon Boat Club (equipment upgrade) $24,400
  • Laguna Street Public School P&C (resurfacing of netball courts) $20,000
  • Cronulla Presbyterian Church (Installation of play area fence, shade system and operable wall) $20,000
  • St Andrews Anglican Church Cronulla (people mover to support community events) $20,000
  • St Aloysius Catholic Church Cronulla (installation of solar battery system) $15,500
  • Burraneer Bay Public School P&C (canteen and uniform shop upgrade) $15,000
  • Cronulla Sharks Boardriders (surfing competition infrastructure upgrade) $10,986
  • Uniting Preschool Caringbah (replacement of shade sails) $10,741

Local not-for-profit community organisations and councils were eligible to apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.

CANINE LOVING CRONULLA VOLUNTEER AWARDED

Cronulla’s Helen Forsyth has been recognised for more than a decade of loving care for orphan dogs by being presented with a NSW Community Service Award.

Helen signed up as a volunteer at Sutherland Shire Council’s Animal Shelter at Taren Point when she retired more than 12 years ago and ever since she’s had a profound impact on the lives of the many dogs while the shelter has been their temporary home.

Helen was joined by family, shelter’s staff and fellow volunteers, together with one of her lovable canine friends ‘Lizzie’ as I presented her with the award.

Helen is one of those quiet achievers who volunteers day after day without any fanfare but makes a massive contribution to our community.

When I heard of Helen’s tireless contribution to the shelter and its animal residents over such a long period of time, she seemed the perfect person to be recognised with this award.

Having seen Helen’s love and care for the animals at the shelter and her rapport with the dogs, she has no doubt helped ease the trauma for pets when they are put out of their homes.

Rain, hail, or shine, Helen has volunteered four days per week and sometimes goes in for an extra day if someone else can’t do their shift.

Helen is much loved at the shelter and inspires everyone with her enthusiasm for providing companionship, enrichment, and exercise for dogs while they wait to find a new home.

Her dedication as a volunteer is remarkable and I am delighted that Helen has been recognised for the valuable work she has done over so many years.

Two NSW Community Service Awards are available for each State MP annually to recognise special service of people in their community.

SURF LIFESAVING LEADER FIONA SUTTON NAMED 2025 CRONULLA WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Mark Speakman with Fiona Sutton

I was delighted to present respected Cronulla surf lifesaving leader and business owner Fiona Sutton with the 2025 Cronulla Woman of the Year Award.

Fiona is a remarkable leader who has quietly made a difference to life in the Sutherland Shire over many years. She has been an active volunteer and leader at the Wanda Surf Life Saving Club and currently leads the club as its president.

A driving force in Wanda’s ‘nippers’ that introduces children aged 5 to 14 to surf lifesaving, one of Fiona’s proudest achievements as Chair of the club’s Junior Activities Group is the successful introduction of the inclusive and accessible ‘Red Fins’ program.

Once a nipper herself, Fiona holds 13 surf lifesaving awards and a Bronze Medallion in Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue.

While busy with her leadership roles over the years, Fiona has continued to play an active part on the safety of beachgoers as a member of Wanda’s surf patrols.

Fiona finds time for her volunteer service to the community while running her own successful small business ‘The Music Bus’.

She has been described by the Wanda club as an inspirational leader, much loved mum, and friend to all in in the club family and beyond.

Fiona’s enthusiastic and friendly way is appreciated by many in the Shire and I congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition for her leadership and service to the community.

ROBERT BRYANT NAMED 2025 CRONULLA SENIOR OF THE YEAR

2025 Cronulla Seniors Awards nominees with Mark Speakman

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.

$300,000 FOR CRONULLA COMMUNITY PROJECTS

14 community organisations in the Cronulla electorate will share in $300,000 in grants from the long-time Community Partnership Program.

The grants will help fund projects for organisations including schools, preschools and sporting or community clubs.

Each year I’m impressed by the effort of the hard working, community-minded volunteers who prepare the applications for grants to improve facilities and equipment for their grassroots organisations.

The following projects have received funding from the latest round of applications:

  • Cronulla Public School P&C (shade covers for school playground) $46,310
  • Lilli Pilli Public School P&C (shade canopy for primary school playground) $40,000
  • Grays Point Preschool Kindergarten (bathroom upgrade) $30,000
  • Port Hacking Open Sailing Club (inflatable support boat for junior sailing programs) $25,000
  • Cronulla Sharks Water Polo Club (clubhouse refurbishment and audio visual system) $23,000
  • Burraneer Bay Public School P&C (multi purpose play area and seating) $20,000
  • Elouera Surf Life Saving Club (building access control system) $20,000
  • Shire Woodworking Club (computer numerical controlled woodwork routing machine) $19,000
  • St Aloysius Catholic Church Cronulla (refurbishment of audio-visual system for Thornton Community Hall) $18,000
  • Cronulla Caringbah Sharks JRLFC (aluminium seating at club grounds) $15,000
  • Cronulla High School P&C (school hall kitchen upgrade) $13,335
  • Lilli Pilli Football Club (monitored defibrillators at club grounds) $11,980
  • Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club (electronic security system for rescue training shed) $10,000
  • Kurnell Catamaran Club (trailer for rescue vessel) $8,138

NEXT STAGE OF SCATL OPEN

The next three-kilometre section of the Sutherland to Cronulla Active Transport Link (SCATL) is now open following around 12 months of construction between Miranda and Woolooware.

Stage 2 East section will provide pedestrians and cyclists with a safe and convenient link between Jackson Avenue in Miranda and the intersection of Denman Avenue and Gannons Road on the Caringbah/Woolooware boundary.

The previous Liberal Government fully funded construction of the project between Sutherland and Cronulla and around 4.3 km of the overall project is now complete.

This latest stage connects key locations including Miranda and Caringbah shopping centres and Sutherland and Kareena Hospitals.

SCATL also links with existing active transport paths at Woolooware, giving pedestrians and cyclists access all the way from Miranda to locations such as Captain Cook Playing Fields, Bay Central at Woolooware and Woolooware and Cronulla High Schools, and also off-road connection with the Woolooware Bay path over the Captain Cook Bridge to Cooks River.

Work on the latest stage of SCATL has involved providing accessibility ramps and seating along the route, together with extensive landscaping.

Transport for NSW is working with Sutherland Shire Council to complete planting of four trees for each one removed for construction.

Design and investigation work for Stage 2 West between Kirrawee and Miranda continues and a preferred route is expected to be ready for consultation later this year. Stage 3 between Woolooware and Cronulla is in the early planning and design phase.

The completion of Stage 2 East of SCATL follows the earlier construction of Stage 1, a 1.3 km section between Sutherland and Kirrawee.

CRONULLA COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS RECEIVE NSW COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS

Two passionate and dedicated volunteers from the Cronulla electorate, Gymea Bay’s Maureen Clark and Kurnell’s Nick Boes,  have been announced as recipients of NSW Community Service Awards.

Maureen Clark is a volunteer team leader at Dandelion Support Network where she has been part of its work to get donated clothing, furniture and other items to children and families in need since the organisation started more than 12 years ago.

Maureen has a huge heart for people facing hardship and she been instrumental in the work of Dandelion Support Network, leading the team that gets items of clothing to children and families who need it.

She has been an active supporter of Dandelion’s fundraising, a great mentor of new volunteers and is highly valued by everyone at the organisation.

Nick Boes has been volunteering in the Kurnell community since he moved there in 1958, including as founder of the Adopt Our Historic Drive Campaign established to beautify and maintain Captain Cook Drive as a scenic tourist drive.

Nick is a local treasure in Kurnell having been a volunteer for a range of causes, projects, and organisations for an incredible 66 years.

He is highly respected and loved for his long list of work as a volunteer, including as member and captain of the then local bush fire brigade, leading the campaign to improve the look of Captain Cook Drive, and giving his time or money for students at Kurnell Public School.

Maureen and Nick have given a considerable amount of their own time to help make life better for people in the Shire and it is fitting that their service is recognised at a State level. I congratulate them on what they have done for our community, they are representative of many kind-hearted and spirited volunteers that have made our Shire what it is today.

$50,000 IN GRANTS FOR CRONULLA SPORT

Five community sport organisations across the Cronulla electorate have received a funding injection, sharing in $50,000 of grants from the NSW Local Sport Grants Program.

These grants are about investing in local sports organisations to help encourage people of all ages to be involved in sport.

These grants will be a welcome boost for the volunteers who work so hard behind the scenes so that people can enjoy playing sport.

This year’s grants will help provide better equipment, facilities, promotion and programs across a number of sports to help people lead active and healthy lifestyles.

The projects receiving grants are:

Sandshoes Boardriders Club (upgrade of equipment, promotional materials and website) $18,000

Port Hacking Croquet Club (Equipment upgrade) $12,500

Dgen Squash Club (Sporting Schools Squash Star Program) $9,000

Port Hacking Open Sailing Club (Equipment upgrade for junior sailing) $8,350

Cronulla Bowls Club (Non slip playing equipment) $2,150.

Grants of between $2,000 and $20,000 per project were available, with up to $50,000 available in each electorate.

KAYE HERALD NAMED 2024 CRONULLA SENIOR OF THE YEAR

Volunteer chair and board member of Gymea Community Aid and Information Service (GCAIS) Kay Herald has been announced as the 2024 Cronulla Senior of the Year.

I was delighted to present the award to Kaye with Shadow Minister for Seniors Bronnie Taylor at a morning tea to recognise the work of 13 local volunteers nominated for the award.

Kaye is a significant contributor to our community, giving her time to lead an organisation that is making a difference to the lives of people including seniors and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

After joining the GCAIS committee in 2016, Kaye stepped up to lead its board in 2019 and has worked hard with her fellow board members and staff to grow and strengthen the organisation for the benefit of its clients and the GCAIS team.

Kaye is appreciated for her hands on and inclusive leadership as she mentors and provides direction to fellow board members, while at the same time supporting the business and taking an active interest in the services delivered.

I congratulate Kaye on her contribution to GCAIS and on being recognised for the volunteer work she does as a valued senior in our community.

It was inspiring to learn of the volunteer work being done by the 13 finalists for Cronulla Senior of the Year who are aged between 64 and 95.

I thank and congratulate these finalists for their efforts and dedication as volunteers including work for community aid and welfare, schools, Sutherland Hospital, prisons, emergency service, surf and sporting clubs, palliative care, and family support.

The finalists are a snapshot of the incredible work being done by seniors in the Shire and I thank each one of them in our community who lend their valuable time to a range of organisations and groups.

The other finalists for 2024 were:

Dianne Batty, Kirrawee
40 years of volunteer service to a range of community organisations and causes, including Elouera Surf Life Saving Club, Sutherland Hospital Kiosk, her local Community Fire Unit, and the John Franklin Christmas Luncheon.

Nick Boes, Kurnell
The founder of the Adopt our Historic Drive Campaign to beautify and maintain Captain Cook Drive in a volunteer contribution in Kurnell since 1958 including the Rural Fire Service, Kurnell Progress and Precinct residents Association, Kurnell Public School, and the Sutherland Shire Kurnell Tourism Strategy Working Party.

Sue Brannock, Caringbah
25 years of service to the Wanda Surf Life Saving Club through the Auxiliary Committee, and the Sutherland to Surf Organising Committee.

Jill Cameron, Cronulla
35 years of service to Elouera Surf Life Saving Club through surf patrols and surf awareness training, as well as in the area of administration for the Silver Salties program.

Stewart Cameron, Cronulla
60 years of service to North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club, including through front line lifesaving, coaching, water safety, first aid, club maintenance and mentoring.

Catherine Carmichael, Caringbah
Volunteer service providing end of life care and support, as well as support for women with young families.

Maureen Clark, Gymea Bay
12 years of volunteer service to Dandelion Support Network, including as a volunteer team leader, advocate and fundraiser.

Tony Dedda, Cronulla
Volunteer service as board member and chair of Crossroads Prison Ministries and to Shire Presbyterian Church Cronulla.

Daphne Lee, Miranda
Volunteer service to Gymea Anglican Church through the mobile community food pantry and other church ministries.

Ron Lucas, Gymea
Decades of volunteer service to the Grays Point community including through the Kids Hope program at Grays Point Public School and local sport.

Gary Rigney, Caringbah South
Volunteer service over several decades to Gymea United Football Club, including as committee member, ground controller and coach.

Alice Tierney, Caringbah
Volunteer service through physical culture classes for girls and women in the Sutherland Shire over more than 50 years.