
A 50 year veteran volunteer of community sport and fundraising, John Stoffels, has been named the 2022 Cronulla Senior of the Year on day one of the NSW Seniors Festival.
I announced John as the winner at a celebratory morning tea where the trophy was presented by Minister for Seniors Mark Coure.
John has been passionate about giving people from the Sutherland Shire the opportunity to play and enjoy sport. Over the years he has been a driving force across football, softball and more recently golf, always actively involved in fundraising to provide a better experience and facilities for players.
John’s enthusiasm for a cause is obvious, no more so than in his current role as Chair of the Woolooware Golf Club’s Legacy Committee, where he spearheads the annual push to help the families of fallen or ill veterans.
As an ex-serviceman himself, John throws himself into leading the fundraising effort, helping the club donate significant sums of money even when COVID-19 lockdowns have meant the yearly Legacy golf day couldn’t be held.
John’s passion, commitment and enthusiasm is infectious and has made a big difference to many people involved with both sport and Legacy.
John’s service to sport started with the Sutherland Shire Soccer Football Club, now the Sutherland Sharks Football Club, including a number of years as President, continued with the Sutherland Shire Softball Association where he was the President for more than a decade, and more recently he has been involved with the Sharks Social Golf Club, where he has served as President for almost 10 years.
The other finalists in the Cronulla NSW Seniors Festival Local Achievement Awards were:
- Patricia Cudmore – St Vincent de Paul Society Sutherland Shire regional president
- John Curtis – NSW State Emergency Service volunteer
- Michael Douglas – Sutherland Food Services volunteer including past president
- Ron Griffths – Lilli Pilli Football Club volunteer
- Betty Jacobs – Kurnell Girl Guides and Kurnell Pensioners’ Club volunteer
- Chris Murray – NSW State Emergency Service leading senior operator
- Norman “Buzz” Piddington – North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club volunteer
- Neil Reynolds – Caringbah Baptist Church and Skills4Me volunteer
- Russell Sullivan – Port Hacking Open Sailing Club rear commodore
- Brian Thompson OAM – Elouera Surf Life Saving Club patron, Tradies director
- Peter Turbet – Sutherland Shire Council Bushcare volunteer, Fred Hollows Foundation worker and history author.
The awards recognise the invaluable contribution seniors make to so many aspects of community life here in the Shire.
The finalists highlight how fortunate we are to have such incredible, dedicated volunteers in the Sutherland Shire, which makes it such a great place to live.
✅ 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
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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 .