Past Awards
The 2009 Awards were held on Thursday 29th October at Wyong Shire Council. Download the 2009 award listing as a PDF.
Individual in a Voluntary Capacity WINNER
Trevor Wrightson
Trevor is a motivator in the Mannering Park community.
Trevor has lived at the “Park” for many years and has initiated many ideas and activities. He finds out what can be done to improve a situation and once that becomes evident he invites individuals and groups he is involved with to join together to achieve it.
Over the past four years he has been part of the Mannering Park Working Party trying to improve the recreational area and facilities located near the hall so that the children and young people can use it more.
It was he who 30 years ago coordinated community members in ‘literally’ building their own community hall.
Individual in a Paid Capacity WINNER
Kerry Bryant
Kerry has many years experience coordinating courses
within the community in response to the community’s expressed needs. She brings with her a high level of enthusiasm, open – mindedness, practicality and a “can do” attitude.
Kerry is great at working in partnership with organisations around the type of courses they believe will support their community. She has good knowledge of the local community and TAFE procedures and Child Care funding sources. She is willing to be flexible in the way these courses can be delivered.
Once a pilot is successful for its participants, such as Babe with Babes run at Blue Haven with Central Coast Family Services, Kerry is tireless in exploring avenues to secure the programs. She is skilled at submission writing and skilled in lobbying the government on the program and participants’ behalf.
Young Person aged 12 -25 WINNER
Sarah Elrick
Sarah = Initiative, Courage, Innovation, Energy, Multi-tasker extraordinaire, natural born leader, organisation freak, sense of humour, excellent communicator, motivator, team player, confidence and endearing shyness.
Community Projects
Wyong Shire Council’s Youth Engagement Strategy, Youth Consultant.
Wyong Shire Council’s Shire Strategic Vision
Actively Supported Social Projects - Youth Week Leadership Forum, GOATS Festival & Warnervale Fair
Chairperson and leader for WSC Youth Advisory Council
Key leader in the development and facilitation of the Shire wide youth lead Random Acts of Kindness campaign
Sarah has a working knowledge of ABCD methods and relates this well to young people in a real, every day way
Art and Culture WINNER
Darlene Cole
Darlene brings enthusiasm, theatrical and production skills, a passion for community justice and connections throughout the community of arts and culture as well as local community and business organisations.
Darlene found her directorial footing 2 years ago on debut with two One Act plays winning awards at festivals in Wyong, Canberra and the Blue Mountains. Since then her directorial credits have included David Williamson’s ‘Soulmates’ for Wyong Drama Group Inc. and the 2007 and 2008 Central Coast sold out productions of Eve Ensler’s multi-award winning ‘The Vagina Monologues’, raising over $40,000 to benefit local organisations working toward the prevention of violence against women and children.
Her passion for connecting community to culture and a cause continues this year following the success of Mother & Son – to raise awareness for Dementia, with an involvement in Ad Hoc Community Theatre’s Mental Health Project,
Voluntary Group / Organisation WINNER
Mannering Park Working Party
The group had very good communication channels with the community. They have good relationship skills, a store of good will and genuine interest in improving facilities for the kids and young people and local community.
The group set their vision and broke this into achievable goals. They had a good measure of persistence and were very generous individually with their time. Each had particular interests which motivated the energy they gave to the group to pursue these elements. Members were supportive in achieving other elements that others were keen about. The group encouraged residents in general to participate in community days / projects that contributed to the vision.
Not-for-Profit Organisation WINNER
Northern Wyong Community Drug Action Team
NWCDAT work together through community projects, education and information to address drug and alcohol issues and promote healthy lifestyles. They are a resourceful group and utilise different events and activities to find out what other interests and ideas the community has in order to develop further projects.
NWCDAT, led a “Community Day” based on ABCD Principles out of which developed a Community Garden and Beautification projects. The first steps in the process were to undertake projects that were of interest to the members that allowed everyone the opportunity to contribute in some meaningful way. NWCDAT has continued on to Add “Rock Against Drugs” (RAD) in various northern suburbs of Wyong and recently started a campaign fightingf@inourtown.
Project Within a Government Organisation WINNER
Wyong Shire Council Random Acts of Kindness
After conducting there own youth survey (700 respondents), Youth Advisory Council (YAC) saw community emerge as a top issue. Then they looked at projects that would be inclusive of all members of the community, wanting to improve intergenerational relationships
Project Aim: Nurture community connectedness by creating and encouraging meaningful, unique and selfless expressions of belonging and recognition through Random Acts of Kindness.
Over 3000 Random Acts of Kindness cards were anonymously and randomly posted and handed out through Wyong Shire along with 1600 posters, 200 magnets and 250 badges. Over 800 of these cards were handmade.
Team brought enthusiasm, energy, abundance of creativity, scrapbooking skills, willingness to learn and try new things and a multicultural approach. In the beginning, most had no experience in carrying out a project
Project Within a Business WINNER
Stockland Bay Village
Nominated for their support of Southern Lakes Communities for Children Project. As part of the project they were approached with the idea of setting up a shop front to provide expectant parents, parent, grand parents & careers information and referral services providing health, education, social connection, activities, support programs and more.
Stockland Bay Village were extremely helpful and adopted the idea and their business & retail knowledge & experience went about developing a purpose built information stall. The stall was established in an area with prime exposure to families with children.
2008 Winners
Individual in a voluntary capacity
Yvonne Lamont - founder of WOW Girls (Waves of Wisdom)
Highly commended awarded to - Karen Knight and Sue Bournes
Award Sponsored by Frazer Howard and Partners
Individual in a paid capacity
Nada Potter - Coordinator Chertseydale Schools as Community Centres
Highly Commended awarded to Collette Baron - Coordinator Leadership Program Central Coast Community Council
Award Sponsored by Gosford City Council
Project within a Government organisation
Housing NSW (Building Stronger Communities at Killarney Vale & Tumbi Umbi)
Award Sponsored by Central Coast Community Congress
Project within a Business
Shelley’s Surf Bar Restaurant
Award Sponsored by The Benevolent Society
Not-for-Profit Organisation
Central Coast Multicultural Children’s Resource Centre
Award Sponsored by NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet
Voluntary group/organisation
Kincumber Men’s Shed
Award Sponsored by Housing NSW
Art & Culture
Yakkalla Theatre Group Highly Commended awarded to Nick Baron for work with Coastfest
Award Sponsored by Central Coast Community Congress
Young person (12-25 years of age)
Jasmine Hodgson (aged 13)
Award Sponsored by Wyong Shire Council