The Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Group's Colin Howarth was named the inaugural winner of the Mid Coast Volunteer of the Year award. This was announced at an Australia Day ceremony in Forster.
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As well as the neighbourhood group, Colin has also regularly volunteered for aged care services, a transport program that works in partnership with Cancer Council NSW and Hunter New England Health Services. Over the past seven years he has spent around three days a week helping others.
"He's a truly selfless, generous person who deserves this award and more and we're very grateful for his contribution to our community," MidCoast Council mayor David West said.
About 1200 people attended the ceremony, held this year at the Forster Sports Complex in conjunction with the Saltwater Freshwater festival.
Meanwhile, Gloucester residents gathered at Billabong Park to celebrate Australia Day 2020.
Although it was the first year running independent from MidCoast Council, the organisers kept the same format that has been running successfully for several years.
Sunday morning (January 26) kicked off with a Welcome to Country delivered by Aboriginal elder, Ken Eveleigh and a traditional Aussie barbecue.
The crowd was entertained by Gloucester High School performers and a heart-felt speech by its school captains, Bethany Hester and Ethan Bird.
The entertainment continued with a lively address by Gloucester resident and Australian Day ambassador, Noel Munro.
Noel was honoured by the invitation to speak and said he loves being an Aussie.
"I enjoy the freedom, comfort and camaraderie that generally comes with living in this land," Noel said.
"The important thing on the day is to celebrate Australia as a national entity, for all of its peoples, and that should be the basis for the setting of a special day," Noel said about what Australia Day means to him.
"My generation, the silent generation (we've learnt to shut up) still vote 90 per cent for the current day but the Z generation, (who are just learning to speak up) only have a 20 per cent endorsement. They are the future. I say let them decide."
After the formal speeches it was on to the presentation of the Australia Day Awards.
Gloucester Local Citizen of the Year - Alan Vale
Alan has been involved with the Returned and Services League (RSL) Gloucester Sub-branch for many years. He held the position of vice president before becoming president, a position he's held for 15-20 years.
He became the welfare officer where he assists ex-service personnel and their families in times of need, visits them in hospital, their homes and nursing homes and provides support. Alan has also volunteered for the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and Gloucester Men's Shed.
Gloucester Local Young Citizen of the Year - Stephen Hester
Stephen's interest in technology led to him volunteer at many Gloucester events where he showcased his skills with lighting, music and sound. He's volunteered at the Gloucester Christmas Festival, Carols in the Park, Gloucester Chillout Festival, both Anzac services and Gloucester High School musicals.
Stephen has created several promotional videos for local businesses that promote the Gloucester area and his award-winning short film for the RECYA Film Festival was screened at the Gloucester Senior Citizens.
Gloucester Local Project of the Year - Junes Place - Vicky Harris
Since 2014, Vicky has selflessly cooked and provided free Christmas lunches for any Gloucester region residents alone for the holidays.
Six people attended the first free lunch and the numbers have since averaged at around a dozen attendees but Christmas 2019 saw 34 people attend. Some residents have offered to donate money to help cover the cost but Vicky has suggested they donate to the drought relief or to the local firefighters instead.
Gloucester Local Community Business of the Year - Bucketts Building Supplies
Bucketts Building Supplies wanted to give back to the community so with the help of their customers, they donated more than $3500 to the Gloucester Breast Cancer Support Group. They provide timber and sheet materials to the Gloucester Men's Shed and often provide other local groups including NSWRFS and the NSWSES with low cost materials.
They also provided materials at cost price for the new play area the Gloucester Preschool, the outdoor adventure playground at the Anglican Church, the playground at Stratford Public School and the Barrington Street Preschool.
They provided materials at no cost for the staging for the Gloucester High School Musical and also all of the paints for the mural project at Gloucester High School.
They sponsor all of the local sporting groups across golf, soccer, rugby, swimming, rodeos and camp drafting and also many community events.