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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.

BREAST CANCER FUNDRAISER NAMED 2024 CRONULLA WOMAN OF THE YEAR

I’m delighted announce that Caringbah fundraising powerhouse Julie McKinnery is the 2024 Cronulla Woman of the Year.

Mrs McKinnery has raised more than $75,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation through opening her home yearly for ‘Julie’s Biggest Pink Breakfast’.

Julie has shown extraordinary leadership and advocacy though her commitment to the fight against breast cancer and her ability to rally the support of the community.

I’ve been to her annual breakfast events where Julie creates a vibrant social gathering featuring activities such as donations, raffles, silent auctions, and lucky door prizes to help raise money to support the fight against breast cancer.

In the 12 months between each breakfast, Julie works away gathering donations from local businesses.

Having fought off breast cancer twice, Julie’s efforts extend beyond fundraising as she works to helping others facing similar challenges.

She promotes the need for regular testing and is known for her colourful slogans like ‘Chicks Check Ya Tits’ and ‘Lads Check Your Nads’ that help nudge people into action.

Julie’s enthusiasm and passion for the cause is infectious and I congratulate her on this well-deserved award.

You can search ‘Julie’s Biggest Pink Breakfast’ on Facebook for more information. The next Biggest Pink Breakfast will be on Saturday 19 October.

NEW GRADUATES BOOST SHIRE POLICE RANKS

It was my privilege to congratulate six new recruits who joined the Sutherland Shire command as probationary constables after graduating from the police academy.

Our police officers have a tough, stressful and risky job, often in the spotlight of public scrutiny, and I thank these new officers as they embark on a career of keeping our community safe. 

TEAM CRONULLA PULLS ON THE GLOVES FOR CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY

Thank you to the team of around 12 volunteers who joined me on Clean Up Australia Day to help pick up litter at Shelly Park Cronulla, including Councillor Carol Provan (deputy mayor) and Kal Glanznig (co-founder Plastic Free Cronulla).

We estimated around 300 pieces of litter. By number cigarette butts were the worst offenders, but sadly there were plenty of other more voluminous pieces.

There were very few beverage containers (a sign that the container deposit scheme works) and no plastic bags or straws (a sign that legislated bans are working), but quite a few bottle tops, broken glass and strange items like parts of hub caps and windscreen wipers.