Rotary club gives community service awards

The Rotary Club of Woy Woy recognised the hard work and commitment of five local people at a special awards ceremony held recently.

Publicity officer Mr Ross Pearse said the recipients of the Rotary club's Community Service Award were well deserving and highly respected for their work in the local community.

"Joan Fenton was awarded a Community Service Award for her long association with Woy Woy Community Aged Care," Mr Pearse said.

"In the late 1970s, Joan saw the need for an aged care facility on the Woy Woy Peninsula.

"By 1981, a steering committee had been formed with Joan as the secretary.

"The committee instituted a $2 membership, this was so successful that be June 1982 the organisation had 1222 members and had raised $500,000 of funds.

"By 1989, the nursing home was open.

"Joan stayed on serving as company secretary and was a member of the board until 1996.

"Joan still acts as the minutes' secretary and attends most of the monthly board meetings and annual general meetings."

Mr Pearse said two Community Service Awards were awarded to volunteers at Mary Mac's Place.

"Mary Mac's Place is a joint project of St John the Baptist Parish, Centacare Broken Bay and St Vincent de Paul Society which provides hot, nutritious meals Monday to Friday for homeless, low income and socio-economically disadvantaged families and individuals from the Peninsula area," Mr Pearse said.

"They also provide a referral and advocacy service for the disadvantaged with the aim of breaking the cycle of dependence.

"Susan Holden has volunteered at Mary Mac's for some two years.

"Susan is an important part of the team and is willing to work in any area of current need. "However, it is in the area of client welfare support and assistance that Susan particularly excels.

"Many clients ask for Susan by name, confident in the knowledge that Susan will go to exceptional lengths to help where she can.

"Steve Petras is involved with both Mary Macs and Meals On Wheels.

"Steve is always the first to arrive and the last to leave for any shift.

"He readily volunteers for any additional duties and is always prepared to take on new roles.

"Like Susan he is well known and respected by the clients of Mary Mac's.

Mary Mac's Place project coordinator Ms Robyn Schacht said both volunteers made a huge contribution to the success of the local organisation through both the application of their knowledge, skills and abilities, and their ongoing commitment to helping those in need.

"I would also like to acknowledge the outstanding work done by our other 60 volunteers associated with Mary Mac's Place and the support received from the Rotary Club of Woy Woy and the local community," Ms Schacht said.

A Community Service Award also went to Umina Surf Life Saving Club member Mr Jeff Pratt for nine years of service and more than 13 years with the local State Emergency Service.

"Jeff is the official photographer for the surf club, volunteering his services at no cost," Mr Pearse said.

"Jeff is always the first person to lend a hand and the last to leave at night.

"His efforts are outstanding and set an example for other club members to follow.

"The final award for the night was a Paul Harris Fellowship.

"A Paul Harris Fellowship is the highest award in Rotary.

"The club can award a Paul Harris Fellowship by donating US$1000 to the Rotary Foundation.

"The Rotary Foundation is a trust fund that uses this money to do good around the world.

"One of its many projects is to rid the world of polio.

"That is not to treat some polio victims but instead to remove the virus from the world's population so that no child can ever be afflicted with this disease again.

"The club awarded this prize to Alex Calleia of Woy Woy.

"Alex works as an accountant based in Booker Bay and has done charitable work for the Catholic parishes of Castle Hill and Kenthurst.

"He was a member of the steering committee to initiate the first Catholic co-ed high school in NSW, Gilroy College at Castle Hill.

"Alex undertakes yearly audits to assist local clubs and associations such as The Rotary Club of Woy Woy, The Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, The Lions Club of Woy Woy, Knights of the Central Coast and the NSW Justices of the Peace.

"In his spare time while on the water he keeps his radio turned to VHF and listens for boats requiring assistance."

Press release, 12 Mar 2009 Ross Pearse, Rotary Club of Woy Woy Press release, 25 Feb 2009 Graham Kinross, Mary Mac's Place