Community award for 98-year-old

Mrs Dorothy Harvey a long time resident of Ettalong and now living in Woy Woy Aged Care Hostel has been presented with a Community Service Award signed by Premier Mr Bob Carr.

Acting on a request from Mrs Joy Coleman of "The Bells" performing group, Peats MP Ms Marie Andrews, contacted the premier seeking his assistance in having this award approved for Mrs Harvey.

Mrs Harvey (nee Dunlop) was born in Tamworth on September 16, 1902.

She is the eldest of 11 children and went on to become a school teacher and eventually married another school teacher.

The couple lived in the old school dwelling at Croydon Park where they both taught for many years. They also taught at Taree.

Dorothy had three children: Graham and Ross (deceased) and a daughter, Jeanette, who is also a school teacher married to a school teacher and residing in Houston.

Following a serious cancer operation, Dorothy, together with Marjorie McKenzie and Mary Hickson (now both deceased) formed "The Bells".

They mainly did shows at the Ettalong Senior Citizens Centre when it was first opened.

Dorothy has played for "The Bells" all these years missing only one concert when she had a two-week holiday on the Murray River.

"The Bells" performed 40-50 shows every year and practice every Tuesday as well.

Towards the end of each year, Dorothy sometimes played three times a week.

Dorothy accompanied Des Taylor's singing students, The Harmonies, and quite a few people visited her to practice for other groups.

She also played for her local church, the Uniting Church at Ettalong.

Dorothy has reluctantly had to discontinue playing as she has been ill since just prior to last Christmas.

Mrs Coleman said: "We miss her very much. She is such a dedicated, talented lady who has given so much of herself to so many people."

The Premier recently established the Community Service Award to recognise people who have contributed to the quality of life of their community, beyond that which would be expected in their usual occupation.

The awards take the form of a timber plaque bearing the State Coat of Arms and the words: Government of New South Wales - Community Service Award.

The recipient's name is engraved on a brass plate and the plaque is accompanied by a citation from the Premier.

August 8