Rotary club presents awards

Woy Woy Rotary Club has presented two "pride of workmanship" awards, and one community service award, to members of the local community recently.

The pride of workmanship awards went to Judy Gribble and Kristy Faulkner, with the community service award going to Terry Feltham.

Judy Gribble has worked 24 years at the Woy Woy Leagues Club, starting as a waitress in the dining room.

"Her talents were quickly recognised and she has been promoted over the years to her present position of senior duty manager," said Woy Woy Rotary Club publicity officer Mr Ross Pearse.

"She has enhanced her workplace skills by attending numerous training courses and has achieved credentials such as Australian Hospitality Review Panel supervisory level, train the trainer, workplace assessor licence and Justice of the Peace.

"Woy Woy Leagues Administrator Keran Simpson stated that Judy was a formidable but fair manager."

The other pride of workmanship award was presented to Kristy Faulkner, who is the current music teacher at Brisbane Waters Secondary School.

Tony Cameron who presented the award said: "You can tell that Kristy is an exceptional teacher as soon as you walk into the teaching space."

One of Ms Faulkner's roles is to prepare students for the Kool Skools competition.

Under her guidance, Brisbane Waters Secondary College has won this award for the last two years.

They have recently defended the title, but results will not be known until October.

The community service award was presented to Terry Feltham.

"Terry noticed that the debris had been left around some now-disused oyster leases," Mr Pearse said.

"This debris was not only unsightly but was also a navigation hazard to small vessels. "Terry lobbied Fisheries to get the area cleaned up but with no success.

"A new oyster farmer in the area proved to be very helpful and lent Terry a barge so that he could clean up himself.

"Terry then had to load the rubbish at low tide and wait for high tide to bring it ashore. "Then of course wait for low tide to load the next lot and so on.

"At times he was out as late as 11pm to move the barge.

"The effort took many weeks.

"The results of Terry's efforts are that Hardy's Bay is improved both visually and small craft are better able to get into this beautiful area.

"The Rotary Club of Woy Woy congratulates all of our awardees."

The pride of workmanship award is presented to those who take pride in the vocation they have chosen and who through effort ensure their work benefits both the work place and the community that the work place serves.

The community service award recognises those who work for no personal benefit to improve the community.

Rotary believes it is important to recognise these efforts and does so formally through the awards.

Mr Pearse said the awards were not given lightly and only after much deliberation.

Those interested in Rotary can contact Chris Nelson on 4344 3599.

Press release, July 11 Ross Pearse, Woy Woy Rotary Club