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.
I loved visiting the Sydney Royal Easter Show again, this time with colleagues Natalie Ward (Deputy Liberal Leader), Justin Clancy MP (Albury), Wendy Tuckerman MP (Goulburn) and Robert Dwyer - State MP for Port Macquarie (Port Macquarie).
The Show is a great showcase for our primary producers - and the opportunity for countless connections between city and country. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
It’s so important that people living with an eating disorder, who don’t require hospitalisation, have access to specialist support services in a residential setting.
And that they have the best chance of living a full, rich and healthy life.
Such a facility, the first of its kind in NSW, now exists in Charlestown.
Named “Baiyangbaiyaang”, the $13.5 million centre will provide extended residential inpatient admissions for people with eating disorders aged 16+ from across the state, increasing the options for those living in rural and remote areas.
Planned and commissioned by the former Liberals and Nationals Government in 2022, with funding through the Commonwealth, the facility will provide wrap around services to people with severe eating disorders.
The 12-bed centre will provide whole-of-family therapy, which is vital to the ongoing treatment and recovery of those experiencing an eating disorder. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
What a fantastic initiative.
One year ago today, six innocent victims lost their lives in the Bondi Junction tragedy.
Six innocent victims who left behind partners, parents, children and other members of their families.
Six families united in grief.
Many, many lives changed forever.
We also reiterate our gratitude today for the first responders like Inspector Amy Scott whose bravery and quick thinking saved many lives.
Today is a day of reflection.
Today is a day of standing with community and the family members.
Today is also a day to reiterate our the determination to stop these sorts of tragedies happening and to end senseless violence in our community. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Yesterday James Griffin MP and I joined sustainable aviation fuel industry leaders for a “NSW Parliament Meets Industry“ renewable fuels policy forum.
James and I heard about the opportunities to kickstart a renewable fuel future for NSW.
Thank you to all participants, led by Jet Zero, and including Qantas, Virgin Australia, Sydney Airport, Airbus, The Boeing Company, Bioenergy Australia, Manildra Group, BP, J.P. Morgan, Transport and Tourism Forum, Refuelling Solutions and Deloitte Australia. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
I’m pleased to announce two exciting appointments that will strengthen the NSW Shadow Cabinet team.
@felicitywilsonmp, MP for North Shore, is the new Shadow Minister for Women and Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
Felicity has served her community passionately since 2017 and is a strong advocate for opportunity, equity and inclusion.
As a mum raising her kids on the North Shore, and with a professional background in public policy, she gets what matters to local families — and how to deliver.
@tinaayyad4holsworthy, MP for Holsworthy, is the new Shadow Assistant Minister for South Western Sydney, Shadow Assistant Minister for Health and Shadow Assistant Minister for Youth.
Tina is a fearless voice for South Western Sydney.
Tina has raised her family in the area, served as a Deputy Mayor and fought to get real action on local issues.
These changes add to our strong team focused on delivering for people in every corner of NSW. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Very excited to serve as part of your strong team and deliver for people across NSW.
Well done!!
Congratulations! Felicity Wilson MP and Tina Ayyad - Member for Holsworthy 👏🏻👏🏻💙💙
Great move!
🥳🎈
Replace the Royals? King Charles III, his heir apparent Prince William and their Governors and Governor-General in the no treaties with prior occupants criminal enterprise they call “Australia”, have a choice between trying their luck at defending charges of genocide under the Rome Statute at the International Criminal Court (ICC), from compelling evidence assembled by UN Rapporteurs and “Closing the Gap” monitoring since the Court was established in 2002, or replacing the Royals and their agents under UN Resolution 1514 on decolonisation with prior occupant Elders presiding over Women’s, Men’s and Youth chambers in parliaments. Which would you choose?
View more comments
Anderson Cook, Year 3 at Cronulla South Public School, has written and published his first book, which I recognised in Parliament recently.
Andy loves reading books. When he told his family he wanted to write a book one day, his dad Aaron asked him “why wait?”.
Andy came up with the idea for the book called “The Monkey Who Didn’t Like Bananas” in the summer school holidays. In between holiday fun, Anderson put his head down for about an hour a day. After about two weeks he’d completed the story of Jack the monkey, who was raised on the island of bananas.
Having finished the story, Andy turned to generative AI to come up with the perfect images to go with his words and with help from his parents and publishing software he completed with what is an impressive looking children’s book.
Andy hopes to sell copies of his book at the school’s fete to raise money for charity. He already has some ideas for a sequel! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
So clever!! Well done.
Great work Andy
That's awesome, Andy!!!!!!
Please Save Glebe Island Mark . This is So Important for Sydney . You need to get it out you would stop Chris Minns putting high rise apartments on it . It’s crucial to National Security. It’s a working Harbour. 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺