Rotary presents community service awards

Umina Rotary Club has presented community service awards to two "unsung heroes".

The awards were made at a specially convened ladies' night attended by nearly 70 people.

Mr Frank Overton received an award for nearly 30 years' service with the Rural Fire service.

Mrs Edna Lane received an award as a committee member for Meals on Wheels since 1984 and a founding director of Peninsula Village Ltd since 1985.

Member for Robertson Mr Jim Lloyd presented the awards.

"It was a great opportunity to honour two distinguished people totally committed to community service who have remained for many years unsung heroes," said the club's public relations officer, Mr Geoff Melville.

Those attending the night were told that Frank Overton had been associated with the Rural Fire Service since 1972, when he joined at the age of 15.

From a volunteer fire fighter, he worked his way through the ranks to become captain of the then Empire Bay Bush Fire Brigade.

In 1984, Frank was chosen by fire control officer Jim Saunders to be the volunteer group captain for the Gosford Rural Fire Service.

He held this position until 1989 when he was appointed full-time fire control officer for the Orange-Cabonne district where he was leader of 52 brigades covering an area of 6500 square kilometres.

In 1994 Frank was promoted to the position of training officer for the Gosford Rural Fire Service and is currently responsible for the training of 1000 personnel and educating the local population in the Gosford area in fire prevention.

During his time with the Rural Fire Service, Frank has also managed to write a text book on Fire Fighting Management and Techniques and this is widely used to train volunteer fire fighters.

Edna Lane has devoted much of her time to the service of others.

She served as a committee member for Meals on Wheels from 1984 to 1992, assisting the treasurer and secretary of the organisation and acting as relief coordinator.

Edna was awarded life membership for her tireless efforts and commitment to the senior members of the Peninsula community.

At the same time as her involvement with Meals on Wheels, Edna became committed to the establishment of a Retirement Village on the Peninsula.

She was a foundation director of Peninsula Village Ltd in 1985 and has remained on the board in various positions to this date.

In 1999, Edna was awarded a life membership to the Village in recognition of her long service and commitment to the residents and the older person in the wider community.

Geoff Melville