Honoured with awards for community service

Two Peninsula residents were honoured with NSW State Government Community Service Awards at the Central Coast Regional Cabinet held in Wyong last month.

Premier Mr Morris Iemma presented Mr Bob Seal and Mrs Pat Gilroy with engraved plaques recognising their "tireless commitment to the community".

The two local residents were nominated for the award by their Member for Gosford Ms Marie Andrews.

Ms Andrews said she was pleased the nominations were successful and celebrated the occasion with Bob, Pat and their families at a civic reception with the Premier.

Mr Bob Seal has been involved in the Scouting movement since 1940 both in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Bob was appointed Assistant Scout Leader on 27 January 1953 in the UK and worked his way up to become Gosford District Vice-President on April 1 last year.

He still retains this position and that of NSW State Headquarters Personal Leader Adviser and Hunter and Coastal Region Honorary Commissioner.

He was appointed as an Honorary Commissioner in 1990 in recognition of his many years of dedicated service to the Scout Association.

Bob assists the Regional Commissioner as a general contact person and trouble shooter and also co-ordinates a scouting supporters group on the Central Coast.

Although Bob carries out all the duties required of the positions he holds within the Scouting movement, he still assists in the running of several groups in his locality of lower Central Coast.

"Bob has never forgotten that the young people are the prime beneficiaries of the Scouting principle and he always strives to ensure a safe and happy environment for them," Ms Andrews said.

"Bob Seal's long service to the Scouting movement and the community as a whole has made him an outstanding recipient of a Community Award."

Mrs Pat Gilroy settled in Woy Woy in 1961 after moving from Cheshire England.

She was a founding member of Woy Woy Little Theatre which is one of the oldest amateur live theatres still in existence.

"Pat was tireless in her lobbying for Woy Woy Little Theatre to have its own premises located within the grounds of Peninsula Community Centre in Woy Woy," Ms Andrews said.

"She attended endless meetings at Gosford Council and was untiring in her quest to raise community awareness of theatre on the Peninsula."

Pat has served Woy Woy Little Theatre in many roles including president, secretary, actor, director and costume and design assistant.

"Through the years of her involvement with Woy Woy Little Theatre, Pat has fostered the talents of many locals from the age of eight to 80," Ms Andrews said.

"She was also involved in bringing theatrical experience to the detainees at Mt Penang Juvenile Detention Centre, now known as Frank Baxter Juvenile Justice Centre.

"Pat spent many hours at Mt Penang, talking, acting and teaching the boys there and also participated in several plays that were performed at the facility.

"Whilst Pat is no longer an active member of Woy Woy Little Theatre, she maintains a keen interest in the theatre and is a most worthy recipient of a Community Award."

Press release, 16 Aug 2007 Marie Andrews, Member for Peats