Recognition for welfare service

Mr Neil Thompson of Woy Woy has received an Order of Australia Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to the community through welfare organisations.

Mr Thompson said that he was humbled after being involved with volunteering for the Salvation Army for over 40 years.

"It's been incredibly humbling and totally unexpected to receive this award," Mr Thompson said.

Mr Thompson is driven by a desire to help others in the community, which has led to his continued volunteering since 1976.

"Well whenever there's a need in the community for welfare, it's what motivates you to keep going," he said.

Mr Thompson founded the Red Shield Appeal Roadside Collection initiative in 2004.

Roadside collection now accounts for half of the money collected for Red Shield Appeal through stationary or door knock collection.

The roadside collection initiative was born from the need to increase the amount collected for the Red Shield Appeal.

"We sat around the table and asked ourselves how we were going to increase funding, because we've already got 100 per cent coverage through door knocking but there were people who wouldn't be home.

'We thought, why don't we think of starting roadside collect?

"When they aren't at home, where are they?

"They're on the road, either going somewhere or coming home," Mr Thompson said.

There were 22 roadside collection points on the Central Coast during the 2018 Red Shield Appeal.

Mr Thompson said he was very pleased that young people were continuing to be involved with door knocking for the Red Shield Appeal.

He thanked the 200 students from Brisbane Waters Secondary College who were involved with the Red Shield Appeal this year.

Mr Thompson said that his wife was also a huge motivator and partner in volunteering initiatives.

"All this time I have had my wife as an equal in these initiatives.

"She's been with me all these years, 35 years. We've always been a team together," Mr Thompson said.

Mr Thompson was also being recognised for his involvement with Coastlink Respite Service as voluntary director from 2001 to 2003.

Some of Mr Thompson's accolades include Certificates of Appreciation from The Salvation Army in 1993 and 2011, Outstanding Service Award from The Salvation Army in 2005, Paul Harris Fellow with the Rotary Club of Umina Beach in 2010, and aCommunity Service Award from the Rotary Club of Umina Beach in 2007.

SOURCE:

Interview, 14 Jun 2018

Neil Thompson, Woy Woy

Reporter: Elizabeth Green