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.
✅ Burraneer Bay Public School
✅ Gymea Bay Public School
✅ Kurnell Public School
Visiting three of our great local public schools this week! ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you for coming to our Presentation Day Mark Speakman. Kurnell PS always appreciates you !
I love all these wonderful young people. We need to make sure their future is secure with lots of opportunities.
🙏🏻👏🏻
Happy Hannukah to our Jewish community!
I attended a recent pre-Hannukah commemoration at Parliament of NSW. ... See MoreSee Less
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Commemorating tonight the 300th anniversary of the Melkite Catholic Church’s communion with the Church of Rome. ... See MoreSee Less
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Yesterday I joined 15 students from five Sydney schools at Parramatta, where they set off to retrace the steps of Sir James Martin, walking from Parramatta Square to Sydney’s Martin Place. In the 1830s Martin used to walk from his home in Parramatta to Sydney to go to high school.
A penniless Irish boy, Martin later became Attorney General, Premier and Chief Justice. He was a key architect of Australia’s first public education system.
The Lysicrates Foundation partnered with the NSW Department of Education to host the walk. ... See MoreSee Less
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And he was the 4th Member for Monaro (1864-1865)! ❤️
Extremely encouraging to see our wonderful local history being embraced and taught.
Great effort from the students. 🚶♀️👏👏
The Labor MP of Parramatta is invisible. We need more voice at the parliament to build a future here
NSW Liberal women - 43% of our party room and growing… ... See MoreSee Less
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That's so beautiful. Thank you Mark Speakman . Well done ladies.
Some well known, highly respected ladies there who had given much before joining Parli & now work for the good of our State!
Don’t care 🤷♀️ whether they are women or men I want the best person for the job. !!!!!!
Wow all those lovely ladies
💙
Wow…. All those lovely ladies.
Mark Spearman is a racist worm who cares nothing about profits and ego. long Live Palestine. From a Christian who cannot stand injustice. Israel is a terrorist regime along with Genocide Joe. So you take your fascists ideology Mr Speakman and shove it. Palestinians have been subjected to inhumane conditions treatment and discrimination extermination and apeartheiurd for 75 years. Go back to bed Sir.
Yet not a single member of the party cares that one woman dies a week from DV.
Sadly you have shown that you are not a leader and I will not be voting for NSW liberal anytime soon. First thing a leader would do is get rid of GREEN KEAN!!
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The Inaugural Lion Dance Kids Competition was a celebration on my fronts:
✅Chinese heritage and cuture, and its contribution to our multicultural society
✅ The lion dance values of joy, unity and positivity
✅ The thrill and joy of the vibrant colours and wonderful rhythms
✅ The skill, coordination and teamwork of the young performers
(See also videos in the comments below) ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you for the information I love China. All it’s amazing history their art bronze work There is nothing they can’t do …unity positivity joy happiness wealth to all the Chinese people all over the World and in China that great Country .