Media Release

2009 Cook Community Awards - Honouring our community heroes

Tuesday 8th December 2009

Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison recognised 37 unsung local achievers with Cook Community Awards at a civic presentation at Sutherland on Saturday, to celebrate their dedication and commitment to making the Shire an even better community for all of us.

“The Cook Community Awards were initiated by my predecessor Hon. Bruce Baird and are a great way to acknowledge and say thanks on behalf of our community to those who give their time, often behind the scenes and without fanfare, to work to improve the lives of others here in the Shire. I am very pleased to continue this tradition,” Mr Morrison said.

“Award recipients came from all walks of life and volunteer their time without fuss and out of the spotlight. They are about celebrating people like foster carer Cheryl Harrison, who has fostered over twenty children since 1986 and welcomes any child with any need physical or emotional.

“They’re about recognising people like Margaret & Peter Muhlbock, who have spent many years supporting Special Olympics athletes across the country and around the world,” he said.

The Cook Community Medal, an initiative of Mr Morrison, was also awarded. The medal singles out one of these selfless volunteers in recognition of their own contribution and they serve as an ambassador for outstanding leadership in community service. This year the medal was presented to Rod Coy, chairman of Sutherland Shire Relay for Life.

“Rod has been a tireless servant of our community through his substantial and selfless dedication to the Shire Relay For Life an iconic local charity event which every year raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Cancer Council and has become the biggest Relay For Life in NSW,” Mr Morrison said.

“Himself a cancer survivor, Rod is an inspiration to many in the Shire community and is someone we can all be very proud of.

“Congratulations and thank you to all Cook Community Award recipients for their tireless work and continued devotion to our community,” Mr Morrison said.

2009 Cook Community Award winners

Mr Colin Alexander Port Hacking Little Athletic Centre

Mr Bill Barton Grays Point Progress Association

Mrs Pam Brown Rotary Club of Caringbah

Mr Kerry Cattell Cronulla RSL Sub Branch

Mr Rod Costin Caringbah Craft and Activity Centre for the Disabled

Mr Rod Coy Relay for Life

Mrs Phyllis Critchley Charcot Marie Tooth Association of Australia

Mr Jim Cutbush Sutherland Shire Historical Society

Mr Bruce Grimley Miranda RSL Sub-Branch

Mrs Cheryl Harrison Southside Christian Fellowship

Mr Mike Haxell St Catherine Laboure & St Vincent de Paul Gymea

Ms Sandra Hudson Lions Club of Caringbah

Mrs Shirley Jaggard St Catherine Laboure, Legion of Mary

Ms Linda Johnstone Sylvania Anglican Church
Ms Val Keppie Sutherland Hospital Volunteers

Mr Basil Lewis Elouera Surf Life Saving Club

Mrs Erica Linsley Sutherland Early Support Service

Mr Byrant & Yvonne McGrath Church and School of St Catherine Laboure Parish

Mr Darryl Menzies Cronulla RSL Sub Branch

Mr Peter & Margaret Muhlbock Special Olympics Sydney Southern Region

Ms Aileen Phipps Joseph Banks Native Plants Reserve, Australian Plants Society (Sutherland Group)

Mr David Piper Solace Association Inc NSW (Miranda Group)

Ms Violet Pointer St Luke's Anglican Church Miranda

Mr Bill Pugh Rotary Club of Gymea

Mr Peter & Sylvia Quinnell Scouting, Girl Guides & St Catherine Laboure Church

Mr Rod & Kay Rae St Catherine Laboure 2nd Gymea Scouts

Mrs Lyn Rees Sutherland Early Support Service

Mrs Norma Reilly Friends of Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Arts Centre

Mr Neil Shanahan St Catherine Laboure & St Vincent de Paul Society

Mr Bill Stephens Miranda Golden "A" Club

Ms Mavis Stupple Miranda Salvation Army

Mr Geoff Sutherland Gymea Community Aid & Information Service

Mr David Taylor Southern Districts Rugby Club

Mr Colin Alexander Port Hacking Little Athletic Centre

Mr Bill Barton Grays Point Progress Association

Mrs Pam Brown Rotary Club of Caringbah

Mr Kerry Cattell Cronulla RSL Sub Branch

Mr Rod Costin Caringbah Craft and Activity Centre for the Disabled

2009 Cook Community Award winner:

Mr Rod Coy Relay for Life