Community service is the heart of the Rotary movement.
The ‘Unsung Hero’ Community Service Award is run as an acknowledgement of the vital role that volunteers and dedicated employees play in our community, and the need to recognize their efforts.
The successful nominee is expected to have provided a community service that would be in the main a voluntary service over a number of years.
The nominees need to be a resident of, or provide a service within the bounds of the Gloucester Shire..
Last year’s inaugural Gloucester Unsung Hero Community Service Award run by our Club was a resounding success and was even given time in “Business of The House in the Legislative Assembly”.
A number of nominations were received and consequently our Club unanimously voted to run the award as an ongoing yearly event.
So here we are again in 2016 to recognise another 5 very worthy Gloucester citizens.
All of to-night’s nominees will receive a Certificate of Appreciation plus this years successful Awardee will be presented with a plaque and a cheque for $500 to be donated to a community service / charity organisation of their choice.
Winner of this year’s Unsung Hero Award goes to Shirley Patmore
Shirley received an award and also a cheque of $500. She is donating that cheque to the Neighbourhood Centre to go towards their Mobile Funding. Shirley also thanked her husband, Newman for supporting her in her commitments.
Congratulations, Shirley and well done to all the nominees.
Lorraine & Trevor Bolton, Toni Laurie, Deb Faull, John & Wendy Hughes
Bob & Sandy Tebbet, Brian Beesley
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LETTERS OF NOMINATIONS:-
John Hughes – “Mr Hughes has been part of Gloucester Soccer Club for 41 years. His children and grandchildren all attended Barrington School and he has given so much service in many capacities to the school. Approx 20 years ago, the school entered the small school soccer competition and John became the coach. Every year he has committed many hours, days and weeks to train the team and has travelled many distances to watch the games. He has taken Barrington to the state finals twice where they were placed 3rd. This year he has again willingly offered his expertise to coach the team.”(Nominated by Deb Faull)
Toni Laurie – “Toni Laurie has been training the Barrington tennis team over the past 3 years in preparation for the PSSA state knockout competition which is an annual event. Toni has a vast knowledge of tennis from her days in the U.S. on a College Scholarship. She has at times, had to teach the fundamental skills to novices as well as the rules and how to score. Toni has given up countless lunch hours to travel to Barrington to coach the kids and has even attended on the day of the game to support the team.”(Nominated by Deb Faull)
Ollie Rinkin (was unable to attend the presentation. He is represented by Trevor Bolton) – “Ollie Rinkin has been synonymous with hockey in Gloucester for his whole life. Primary hockey has made a resurgence in Gloucester in the last 4 years. This has led to Ollie coaching Barrington pupils in hockey during sport time as well as running an afternoon community session. This year, Barrington is entering the PSSA State Knockout Competition for the first time, thanks to Ollie’s expertise and dedication.” (Nominated by Deb Faull)
Shirley Patmore – “Shirley has over many years helped and guided young people in our district to discover dancing in both a formal and informal way. She has organised Debutante Balls for years and assisted in local youth organisations. Shirley has been a regular organist in most churches in the community, playing at weddings and funeral services when called upon.” (Nominated by Denver Webb)
(Supporting letter from Stuart Benson)
“For many years Shirley has made herself available, often at short notice, to play the organ or piano in the local churches. As well as Sunday worship, Shirley plays for weddings, funerals, seniors’ services and for the interdominational service at Gloucester Nursing Home on Sundays. Her willingness is greatly appreciated by the clergy, families and others. Participating in the fornightly Mainly Music program for mothers and pre-schoolers is another area of service. With her husband Newman, Shirley has keenly assisted in the preparation of local youth to participate in Debutante Balls, teaching both ballroom dancing and ball procedure. Shirley has been an active participate in the Karios programs presented at Kempsey Correctional Centre since its inception several years ago. Shirley is a fine example of a woman willing to assist others before she addresses her own needs.”
Bob Tebbet – “Bob Tebbet is a retired Australian Federal Policeman of 35 years in Sydney. He is an elected Elder of the Uniting Church and passionate about encouraging City folks to look and visit Gloucester with the ‘Tree Change’ promotion. In August, he will take an exhibition to the NSW Regional Expo in Sydney. Bob Tebbet has to raise $4000 to promote Gloucester at the Expo. Last year he arranged a Rubber Boot Throwing at the Gloucester Show. He made an enormous boot and the patrons loved it. He arranged a dinner and concert with the Bowden Boys singing on his property and proceeds of that concert went to the Rescue Helicopter. On Melbourne Cup Day for the past few years, he has invited neighbours for a Bakers Creek Cup. A truly fun day. Behind every good man there;s a good woman and Sandy is a worthy citizen of Gloucester” (Nominated by Elaine Maslen)